It was the day of Preparation of the Passover; it was about noon. “Here is your king,” Pilate said to the Jews. But they shouted, “Take Him away! Take Him away! Crucify Him!” “Shall I crucify your King?” Pilate asked. “We have no king but Caesar,” the chief priests answered. John 19:14-15

Today you are invited to consider when fear, convenience, selfishness takes precedence over your faith. When do you find it is easier or safer to keep quiet about your faith in Jesus? How does this affect your relationship with Him? Is it a matter of life and death for you, or of exclusion from your family or social circles, or is it because it is easier to go with the crowd? Speak to Jesus about this today. How does He reply? Then pray for those for whom admitting to following Jesus is a matter of life and death, for their protection, a strengthening of their faith and for courage when they need it.

May God bless you as you pray for the persecuted church today and may He give you courage too when you need it.