After they had come to Mysia, they tried to go into Bithynia, but the Spirit did not permit them. So passing by Mysia, they came down to Troas. And a vision appeared to Paul in the night. A man of Macedonia stood and pleaded with him, saying, "Come over to Macedonia and help us." Acts 16:7-9
As was the case in Acts 16, there are some places that are more in need than others. While the Church in our area has spiritual needs, we do not know what it is to be “in great need” like those who are either persecuted or impoverished. For that, let us give thanks and refrain from complaining. We are in many ways, RICH!
Spiritually, the Church in our corner of the world has a great need, but our great need is not difficult to meet. We who are spoiled (economically and face virtually zero persecution) need only to repent of our collective worldliness and get serious about biblical worship. Cut the innovations by which the Church seeks to win the world’s affection and return to biblical worship (singing, praying and doctrinal preaching). We would be amazed what would likely happen if we did this.
But my attention in this post is more about the Church in other places that are impoverished and or persecuted. What can we do to respond to their cry to “help us”?“ Just this: (1) Pray for them. More often and more fervently. (2) Support them in practical ways. How? Pray for and support the ministries that do so much to help the poor and the persecuted. We do this as a church, but some of us who are able might choose to financially support ministries that specifically serve the persecuted Church and the less fortunate in other lands.
Just pray about it, won’t you?