Celebrating a Specific Freedom – Disciple All Nations

More than physically tiring, the prayer journey around the world, was emotionally draining and spiritually challenging. Having worshipped with underground believers in China, met down a dirt road and sat around a campfire in India, posted a guard nearby so we could have a prayer meeting in Yemen, it was good to be back home. I reflect on that three-week trip during special occasions. One of those occasions is July 4, Independence Day for Americans. Among other things, we celebrate the freedom to worship without fear of governmental interference, without what the Apostle Paul calls, “a yoke of bondage”. In Galatians 4 it is shown that the gospel is freedom, but the Mosaic law is the covenant of bondage. Hence Paul bids his readers to, “Stand fast therefore in the liberty by which Christ has made us free, and do not be entangled again with a yoke of bondage” (Galatians 5:1). Having worshipped and prayed with people who live in such a yoke, I am grateful without limit, to live where I can worship without fear. Americans will celebrate the 4th of July this week with fireworks, parades, and Bar B.Q. along with various other means of festivity. Even as I join in these types of freedom celebrations, I give thanks for being free from bondage.

BTW, the record of that three-week, round the world prayer journey is recorded in a book that I co-authored with Calvin Miller, entitled, “Prayer Walking: A Journey of Faith” available at AMG Publishers.

Join me this week in remembering the following global concerns:
• Concerning the Colorado fires, pray especially for those who maintain a home there but serve in other places around the globe. Many religious organizations have their headquarters in Colorado Springs.
• Pray for Marilyn and others who serve through Hope Clinic in Macau.
• On Tuesday, join in the Day of Prayer and Fasting for European Peoples.
• Yesterday was Canada Day, similar to the 4th of July in the U.S. Pray for leaders and believers in this great nation where one out of every three persons is an immigrant.