Thu, Aug 17, 2017.
Bible reading: 1 Peter 3:8-11
Memory Verse: But I say to you, Love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you. Matthew 5:44 (ESV)
Your ability to accept other people who do not share the same faith or belief system with you yet, live together in peace and harmony is called Religious Tolerance. Religious toleration is when you allow other people to think or practice other religion and beliefs.
God is calling us all into Christian maturity. One great attribute of a matured Christian as listed among the components of the Fruit of the spirit is called Tolerance (Gal. 5:23). As Christians, we must be able to tolerate other people’s belief system and religion.
Any religion that doesn’t preach peaceful co-existence between her followers and members of other religions leaves little or nothing to be desired. Why should I fight with my next door neighbour simply because he is a muslim but I’m a Christian? If I don’t like his religion, we can still be acquaintances. That shouldn’t stop me from greeting him and co-habiting in the same compound in peace. Jesus said, “Your love for one another will prove to the world that you are my disciples” John 13:35 (NLT). Love is the central message in Christianity.
“Resolve to be tender with the young, compassionate with the aged, sympathetic with the striving, and tolerant of the weak and the wrong. Sometime in life you will have been all of these” – Lloyd Shearer
Always remember that you cannot force anyone to practice your faith. It is the Holy Spirit that convicts. With love and persistent prayers, the most stubborn critic of your faith could turn out to be a bosom friend. Instead of discrimination, evangelize in love.
Quote: Let togetherness, unity and peace be your motto.
Prophetic Word: Receive a heart of love, in Jesus name.
Prayer Focus
- I receive the grace to tolerate people of other faiths in love, in Jesus name.
- Spirit of intolerance and religious discrimination in my country, depart by fire, in Jesus name.
- I break any demonic covenant holding my country in captivity by the Blood of Jesus, in Jesus name.
- Evil powers preventing men from receiving the Gospel of Jesus in my neighborhood, die, in Jesus name.
- Anti –gospel power, die, in Jesus name.