Pathetic...

it is 12:30pm and i am hungry. i am hungry because i wanted to fast and pray for the persecuted church today. it has only been a few short hours since i've eaten, really, and i am so distracted. i thought i would remind myself of what i've heard their life is like vs. mine.

...they endure mocking for their faith. i work at a church.
...they endure beatings for their faith. i never do.
...they worship in secret. i worship with hundreds of other believers.
...they live every day as if it could be their last. i live every day fighting worry over what my future holds.
...they go hungry in prison. i eat whenever i want.
...they are sent to prison for speaking the name of Jesus. i sometimes feel embarrassed about praying in public before i eat.

oh, that i would have their perspective! God, make me more like them - they truly look like Your Son. stop my tongue from complaining over trivial matters. give me endurance to run the race. and God, please give them courage, faith, assurance of Your love, peace and joy in the midst of their trials. help them to endure the unimaginable to which You have called them. but free them from prisons, save their captors, build up Your church! i look forward to That Day when all the waiting armies in heaven are given the word to go forth and fight the enemy. hasten the day, Lord!!

for all of you who are wearing your "pray for china" bracelets, i was at disney a few weeks ago and a young girl from china was working at one of the rides where i asked a question. she saw my bracelet, read the chinese writings and asked me what that was for. when i explained it to her, she thanked me. she thanked me!

okay, back to work...i'm not so hungry anymore...