Recently, a man named John Allen Chau was murdered by tribespeople after traveling to their remote island in hopes of sharing the Gospel. He got on the island twice, bows and arrows being shot at him; when he visited their island a third time, their bows and arrows fatally wounded him. They could be seen dragging around his body by rope on shore from the ocean. In his journal, he asked God to forgive them “especially if they kill him” (source).
At the same time, an attack on a cathedral called Sacred Heart Cathedral from the Central African Republic took the lives of 42 people and counting. Two priests were killed in the attack, thought to be done by a muslim rebel group there named “Seleka.”
John Chau made it his life’s goal to share the Gospel with those who were nothing like him, and who were not friendly. Christians were shot down and their church lit on fire for wanting to worship and follow Jesus. It reminds me now, more than ever, that following Jesus is not without sacrifice. We must pick up our crosses and carry them.
It also shows me, however, that Jesus cares deeply for us. No other religion has a God who is so Compassionate, Loving, and Just as to enter His Creation and die for those who rejected Him. Just as Jesus gave His Life for us, Chau gave his life so that a secluded people may know the name of Jesus Christ.
Many people think Chau was foolish. Would they think the same of Christ? Perhaps. Chau’s actions show me that Love has no bounds—and reminds me that “The LORD cares deeply when his loved ones die” (Psalm 116:15, NLT). Let’s pray over these precious saints, that Christ would comfort their loved ones and use their tragic, heartbreaking deaths to further spread His Gospel and glorify His Name.
Do you know Jesus?
“We love each other because he loved us first.” (1 John 4:19, NLT)
These people followed Jesus—a God who first showed His Love to us by dying for us. Learn more about Jesus here.
Please pray for…
- The loved ones of those involved in the Sacred Heart Cathedral attack. Pray for comfort and strength for them.
- The loved ones of John Chau. May we be willing to give everything to spread Jesus’ Name, just like Chau.
- The Chibok girls. Pray that the Holy Spirit would bring those in captivity and in freedom to Himself.
- Leah Sharibu. That she would continue to trust and stay close and true to Jesus.
Thank you for your prayers!!!
ISAIAH 62 PRAYER MINISTRY 