This upcoming Sunday we continue in our series “Word and Witness: Vision of the King from the Book of Revelation,” as we look at Rev. 2:8-11, “A Church Who Suffers.” In preparation, read Revelation 2:8-11 about the church at Smyrna. Reflect on the expectation to endure and be faithful. How does tribulation and suffering encourage believers to look to Christ? This Sunday is also Mission Offering Sunday and celebration of the Lord’s Supper. Pray about what you should give to the offering. Confess and repent of any sin in anticipation of the Lord’s table.

Here’s what I’m praising and praying for this Sunday:

• Praise Jesus that he knows our tribulations, enemies, and circumstances. Our situations are not hidden from our Lord, nor does he ignore them. He knows. When you go to him in prayer, praise him that he knows.
• Praise Jesus for who he is and what he has done. Jesus is Savior and Lord who suffered on our behalf. We can overcome because Jesus overcame.
• Pray for our persecuted brothers and sisters across the world. As many as 388 million Christians live in places with high levels of persecution and discrimination. Visit sites like Voice of the Martyrs or Open Doors for information about how to pray for persecuted believers.
• Pray for believers who gather this Sunday to have courage and remain faithful to Christ. Many who gather with us weekly face difficulties and struggles that drive isolation, fear, and unbelief. Pray that we will have courage from our Lord’s greatness and grace.
• Pray for sinners to see the suffering Christ who died to save them. Each week we have folks gather with us who don’t know Jesus. Pray they will hear the gospel and be converted.
• Pray about what you should give to the Mission Offering this Sunday. Everything given this Sunday at Wilkesboro Baptist will go to missions: 25% to the IMB; 25% to the NAMB; 10% to the Wilkes Pregnancy Care Center; 10% to the Honduras Mission Trip led by Dr. Joe Pinkerton; 10% to David Easler and Greater Europe Mission; 10% to Samaritan’s Kitchen of Wilkes; 10% to local benevolence of WBC.
• Confess and prepare your heart for the observance of the Lord’s Supper. As part of our invitation, we will celebrate the Lord’s Table. Pray and prepare your heart for remembering Christ’s suffering on our behalf.

Thanks for your faithfulness to pray and prepare each week for worship.

For more about interpretive themes in Revelation and how to make sense of the book, I will have four additional teaching sessions on Sunday evenings. The first is on October 4 from 6:30-8:15. All are welcome to attend at WBC. We will record these sessions and make available on our podcast channel also.

Photo by Josie Weiss on Unsplash