Posted on 06/22/2015 5:49:13 PM PDT by markomalley
ISIS Muslims are right now surrounding a 4th century Christian monastery, called St. Matthew’s Monastery. Although the Muslim terrorists are armed with machine guns and knives, the Christians inside the church — three monks and six students — are not afraid, declaring:
“We of course are not scared. God protects us”
Sahar Karaikos, one of six students in the monastery, said
We are not scared, because our teachers give us a feeling of peace here, but we know we are on the front lines, and in seconds the Islamic State could be here… I don’t even want to think or speak about the destruction the Islamic State would cause if they took our monastery.
The Chaldean Archbishop of Erbil, Bashar Warda, explained that a small unit of Kurdish soldiers are protecting the church and the nine Christians. But he also explained that this was not the reason why the Christians are so confident:
There is a kind of feeling that they cannot express but they at least feel relaxed in a way that even if, God forbid, something would happen, they are in safe hands
Multitudes of people from the nearby villages have already fled, but not these nine Christians, even though the church is right on the frontline of the fighting between ISIS and coalition forces. Yousif Ibrahim, one of three monks, said:
We can see the battles and the airstrikes from here in front of us, especially at night. The sky lights up at night, but we of course are not scared. God protects us
The church is located on top of Mount Alfaf in Nineveh Plains, and is recognized and esteemed as one of the oldest Christian monasteries in existence. It is currently under the care of the Syriac Orthodox Church; and like the churches in antiquity, within the monastery there is an amazing library with a significant amount of Syriac Christian manuscripts.
What is disturbing is to hear Christians in the West say stupid things like: ‘They should flee. Its not about a building!’ The building itself is holy; the building is an icon, an icon that signifies the grace that God has given to us through His Church. This little monastery, no matter how insignificant people may say it is, is an icon of Christian civilization, and if they flee, it is only an expression to the enemy, that Islamic despotism is vanquishing Christian civilization. When Christendom rises and Christ returns, this little church will be one of the stones by which the empire of the Cross will be built, and even if the Muslims destroy it, it will be a piece of the fortress of Faith that will stand within our hearts.
It is by courage that the flames of Faith are alighted, for in the flames of valiancy, there is love. But in the cold brick of cowardice, there is only indifference and callousness. “There is no fear in love; but perfect love casteth out fear: because fear hath torment. He that feareth is not made perfect in love.” (1 John 4:18) God is love; thus, within this little church, there is God.
Lord, we lift these faith-filled servants up to You. We stand in agreement on Your promises of protection.
PSALM 91
https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=psalm+91&version=NIV
In Jesus name we pray. Amen.
This little monastery, no matter how insignificant people may say it is, is an icon of Christian civilization, and if they flee, it is only an expression to the enemy, that Islamic despotism is vanquishing Christian civilization......
....When Christendom rises and Christ returns, this little church will be one of the stones by which the empire of the Cross will be built, and even if the Muslims destroy it, it will be a piece of the fortress of Faith that will stand within our hearts.
This is why the Crusades were necessary. If you rely on prayer exclusively, pretty soon, there is no one left to pray, just a bunch of saints in heaven.
Thanks for the ping
Prayers for all of them. May the Lord watch over them.
Prayers up.
Prayers up.
Amen.
Our Father in Heaven, hallowed be your Holy name,
I thank you for your peace that passes all understanding which you have provided to your servants,
I ask in the name of Jesus and by his precious blood that overcame this world and by standing upon his promise to bind in Heaven what we bind on this Earth, allow this prayer to come up,
We understand this is not a battle against flesh and blood, and I ask that you put a wall of fire around your Church in harms way, place a hedge of protection over them and I would ask that you rebuke and bind that evil spirit that goes by the name of ISIS, ISIL that would seek to come against them.
Let it be as it’s written in your Holy Word, provide a safe refuge, a place for them to come to your holy mountain,
“And it shall come to pass in that day, that the great trumpet shall be blown, and they shall come which were ready to perish in the land of Assyria, and the outcasts in the land of Egypt, and shall worship the LORD in the holy mount at Jerusalem.” Isaiah 27:13
Let it be as when your Angel protected Peter, when the Church prayed without ceasing for his safety,
“Peter therefore was kept in prison: but prayer was made without ceasing of the church unto God for him.” Acts 12:5
Holy, Holy, Holy is Lord God Almighty,
Your will be done in this matter and not my will,
Amen,
Prayers up.
“There is a kind of feeling that they cannot express but they at least feel relaxed in a way that even if, God forbid, something would happen, they are in safe hands”
“Peace which passeth all understanding.”
Praying God will send His mighty angels to protect them.
Prayers for God’s people, that they may witness to the world the grace of our Lord and Savior! May God be glorified!
Amen
Regardless of events, they know where their true strength is and where their ultimate home will be.
May God bless them!
Prayers for them ping.
Might want to consider getting a little scared.
I recently read that story. The ending is a hoot.
That was when The Lord had a dry sense of humor.
We could use a little more Old Testament from our Lord these days.
May the Lord extend his hand.
Prayers said!
Thanks for this ping. I will be praying for these brave Christians.
Sending Heartfelt Prayers.
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