Whole Families Becoming Followers of Jesus

When individual Muslims become followers of Jesus, it is often very difficult for them to live peacefully. The same is true for  Buddhists, Hindus and Jews that become Christians.

However, when whole families come to the Lord, it is much easier for them, and the influence in their communities is far greater.

Over recent months, this phenomenon is becoming much more frequent, and mission workers are reporting seeing more and more whole families become Jesus Followers.

The following story relates just one of these instances where God is at work in the whole community:

This week we visited Amitaf*, a lady who seemed very open. As we arrived at her house, a relative of hers arrived… and then another relative… and then a friend… and a neighbour… until there were six ladies from the neighbourhood!

Amitaf had told them that we were coming and that we could pray for them. Each had plenty of prayer requests for healing, for family ‘stuck’ in Macedonia, for jobs for their husbands. There was such excitement and anticipation in the room as we prayed for each lady and they felt the presence of God.

When I realised they were Kurdish, I invited them to our Kurdish meeting on Saturday. “If God will allow us, we may come.” I prayed but wasn’t too high in faith.

However, on Saturday, just as the meeting was starting, I received a phone call that they were outside. I went to meet them and greeted them on the street … Amitaf, her sister, her neighbour … more ladies I hadn’t met … husbands… children. Seventeen people all together!

How amazing that, from visiting one lady, she had now brought 16 others with her. It reminded me of the story of the Samaritan women who met Jesus as the well, and then rushed off to invite her whole village to receive Jesus!

• Give thanks that God is at work amongst whole communities and families of Muslims, Buddhist and Hindus, bringing them to know His saving grace, truth and love.
• Give thanks for mission partners sharing the love of Christ with these people, often is difficult circumstances. Pray for more opportunities to open up to share with whole families and community groups, and to see communities changed and transformed through the power and grace of God.
• Pray for protection over those who commit their lives to following Jesus, for good discipleships and opportunities to meet together with other believers and to grow in their faith.

Acts 16 vs 30 – 32: “Then he brought them outside and said, ‘Sirs, what must I do to be saved?’ They answered, ‘Believe on the Lord Jesus, and you will be saved, you and your household.’ They spoke the word of the Lord to him and to all who were in his house.“

Source: http://us4.campaign-archive2.com/