During this semester’s Day of Prayer at Northland
International University, students were reminded about the vitality of praying
for the persecuted church. The following are some student testimonies about the
day:
God did a tremendous work in my heart. From
singing “The Old Rugged Cross” to spending individual time in prayer with my
Lord, I felt true “soul peace.” I’m sure we would all recognize a quietness in
our soul after we pray, but the Day of Prayer was a special time for me. Having
come through a few trials myself, I realized very quickly how my own suffering
was so minimal as compared to some who suffer with their life for Christ. It
made me adjust my focus off myself and onto the Cross.
—Jeff Wadsworth, junior
The Day of Prayer was a huge
blessing for me and, at the same time, a very sobering wake-up call. It
really opened my eyes to the true suffering that our own brothers and sisters
in Christ go through on a daily basis. Often when we hear about the persecution
of the church, it seems like such a distant concept to us. Seeing and hearing
about people who were so devoted to Christ that they were willing to be
murdered for their faith was a huge challenge to me.
—Joel Zaborowski, sophomore
On the Day
of Prayer, I was challenged to meditate on the fixing power of the Cross.
Although the temporal things of this world look diminishing and degrading, I
was reminded that Christ already died for that sin! It is the same power that raised
Christ from the dead that reigns and rules in my heart! I couldn’t be
challenged with a better thought than to share the sustaining, forgiving, and
perfect power of the Cross!
—Leah Ring, sophomore
The Day of Prayer made me so thankful for
little things I take for granted—like my Bible or having Christian fellowship.
The testimony of how strong the persecuted church is in the Lord through
everything is an example of how to take up my cross daily because He is worthy!
—Abby Weise, sophomore
For
me, the Day of Prayer allowed me to refocus my view of the Cross, helping me to recognize how much I take God’s sacrifice for granted. Christ was murdered for
my sin, taking the punishment for my rebellion against Him. How has the Cross
changed my life? How do I live differently because of Christ’s work on the Cross?
Asking myself these questions, I realize how comfortable and apathetic I have
become. Believers around the world live each day knowing that it could be their
last. We heard story after story of how Christians are suffering ridicule,
torture, and death for the name of Christ. In many instances, I haven’t even taken the time to share the Gospel
with my unsaved friends for fear of being rejected. If I can’t even do this,
how can I expect myself to stand for Christ when I actually do suffer? Through
this Day of Prayer, God has shown me how much I need to change in order to have
a true compassion for others. Jesus Christ paid the ultimate sacrifice. I owe
everything to Him. He is worthy.
—Jason Lorch, freshman