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Christ said, “He who loves father or mother more than Me is not worthy of Me” (Matt. 10:37). Overall, in the United States when one confesses Christ as Lord, although some parents may disagree with their children’s decision, for the most part there is no threat of violence or removal from the home. However, in other countries around the world, this is a very likely scenario. To openly confess Christ, could mean the loss of job, rejection and being ostracized from your family forever, or even death. Recently, HeartCry received the following prayer request from one of our missionaries:    

Please pray for a brother named, Vince who recently has come to our fellowship. He is a convert from an orthodox Hindu family. Due to several reasons, which include fear, he is not yet able to publicly profess his faith to his parents, as he will face consequences for it. He seems to have been a believer for about a year. The suspicion of his parents has grown as he is with them, yet, he is not able to tell them about his faith. He admits that he has to stand for Christ and will have to pay the price of following him. I have had a conversation with him three times, the last was with some other brothers from our fellowship. We sat together with an open Bible and examined the price we may have to pay when following Christ. We also looked at the glorious hope we have in Christ in the midst of suffering, persecutions, and possible death. He was encouraged by the word and has requested us to pray for him, that God would give him the strength to profess his faith before his parents and before the world.

In addition, please pray for us that as a church, that we will be a blessing to him, and give him correct wisdom, as we are determined to stand by his side with whatever happens with him. He is only a young student. He told us that his father is very aggressive and the consequences of his faith could result in his family abandoning him. On this, I’ve encouraged him to not fear or worry about his shelter, as we are willing to help with this. Not only that, but he has a God who is Sovereign and Good, and will never fail him.” 

Would you take a couple of moments and please pray for Vince? Though we understand from Christ that, “everyone who has left houses or brothers or sisters or father or mother or children or farms for My name’s sake, will receive many times as much, and will inherit eternal life” (Matt. 19:29), this does not eliminate the pain, fear, and anxiety of it. Pray that Christ gives him the courage to stand, and provides him with the comfort that is greater than what is found on this earth.