praying for the persecuted church

In class we discussed sacred communication, especially the kenotic posture of prayer and decentering of oneself. I think that an essential aspect of sacred communication, one perhaps not spoken of enough, is that of intercession. At the past First Monday our host spoke about the persecuted church around the world, urging us to pray for them. He pointed out to us Hebrews 13:3 in which Paul exhorts followers of Jesus to “Remember those who are in prison, as though in prison with them, and those who are mistreated, since you also are in the body.” I think that praying for the persecuted church is a way of decentering oneself. The process of interceding on behalf of another causes the one praying to forget their own wants or needs. There is so much beauty in boldly approaching the Lord as an intercessor on another’s behalf. In this instance the one interceding reflects Jesus so well. Jesus is the great Intercessor, forever making supplication for those who are His before His Father (Hebrews 7:25). Jesus is the ultimate example of the decentering of self, as He fully submitted to the will of the Father and continually prays for His church. I hope to reflect Jesus more in these ways; fully submitting to the will of the Father and interceding for my brothers and sisters in Christ; especially those who are persecuted for professing Jesus.