Thought for Monday 23 August

Thought for Monday 23 August Ecclesiastes 4:1 NIVUK Again I looked and saw all the oppression that was taking place under the sun: I saw the tears of the oppressed – and they have no comforter; power was on the side of their oppressors – and they have no comforter. This passage could almost have been written for today Afghanistan, where women and children have known freedom in education and work places for 20 years, and everyone had the right of choice in religion. Suddenly these rights have been snatched from them by an army intent on enforcing their will on weaker people. An army which is not averse to using violence to bring people to the way they want life to be lived. Anyone who disagrees with them is mistreated or killed, forced to turn away from their own beliefs and needs. This passage goes on to say –- ‘power was on the side of their oppressors – and they have no comforter. And I declared that the dead, who had already died, are happier than the living, who are still alive. But better than both is the one who has never been born, who has not seen the evil that is done under the sun. ... It doesn’t look as if everybody who needs to get evacuated will be successful, the ones who are not able to escape will be targeted, as some already have been. Even going into hiding they will be mercilessly sought for ‘punishment’ under laws alien to them. The only comfort they can be sure of is that from God our Father. There is only one way to defeat these violent men and women. We must become Prayer Warriors, pressing for our Father to protect His children in the face of this persecution. I’ve said it so often, we must pray, pray and pray some more! Not only for Afghanistan but for all people in the same situation around the world. As we lift our prayers of intercession on a Sunday, may we all be aware of the need of our brothers and sisters around the world and keep them in our hearts, not just on a Sunday, but every day. Prayer Merciful Father, we come to You to ask for Your intercession in the countries which are suffering persecution and oppression by those who think they have the right to tell others what they should believe and how they should act. When they try to insist that people should deny You or your son, Jesus, give your children strength and protection to do what is right for them. Amen.