Daily Prayer 7.5.13 I can do all things through him who strengthens me. – Philippians 4:13 “Lord, I want to experience all my life’s circumstances as You would have me do. Live in me, Lord Jesus, that I might walk as You walk. Amen”. For the next year Eric and his fellow missionaries were not allowed to leave the British quarter of Tianjin, and in 1943 they were relocated to a “Civilian Assembly Center” known as the Weihsien Internment Camp. Along with two-thousand others, Eric was taken to what was once the beautifully equipped Presbyterian Mission compound, but was now a mere shell. All iron and metal, including pipes and furnaces, had been removed. There was no running water, nor heat. Sanitation was very bad and food was scarce. The internees lived in crowded dorms which bred anger and even despair among them. Yet Eric remained engaged, interested in others, and committed to using all his gifts to make the best of a very bad situation. He organized games and plays, led Bible study, taught science classes and tried his best to encourage the imaginations of the many children who resided there. While he was tireless in his efforts to improve the lives of those around him, his own health steadily worsened. He began to have crushing headaches, and in 1945 was hospitalized. Soon thereafter, Eric Liddell died of complications from a brain tumor, just five months prior to the liberation of the camp by the Americans. The camp mourned the loss of this great, joyful man, as the rest of the would the rest of the world in due time. For his efforts, Liddell erected a towering testimony to the power of faith and Christian integrity that continues to inspire to this day. As recently as 2008, the Chinese revealed that Eric had been offered his freedom in a prisoner exchange, but had refused it, giving his spot to a pregnant woman. Even his family had never heard about this final act of selflessness. Eric Liddell was a man of humility and indomitable spirit, a spirit that grew from his perfect reliance upon Christ. His was a spirit that urged him to greatness on the athletic field, and to even more profound greatness in the service of God. It was a spirit that might best be summed up in a prayer he wrote while in prison: “Father I pray that no circumstances, no matter how bitter or long drawn out will cause me to break thy law , thy law of love for thee and for my neighbor, that I may not become resentful, have hurt feelings ,hate or become embittered by life’s experiences but that in and through all I may see thy guiding hand, and have a heart full of gratitude for thy daily mercy, daily love, daily power and daily presence. Help me in the day when I need it most, to remember that all things work together for good for them who love the Lord, and I can do all things through Him who strengthens me.” Good Friday morning, all! Please pray for these persons today: Lindy; for strength. Lisa and Lori; for travel mercies. Amanda and Joe; for comfort, assurance and peace. Michele B and Jessie, for recovery and healing. Sal; for regeneration of her while blood cells. Father, I know I should be so grateful today for all my comforts and all my opportunities. Forgive me for taking my many blessings for granted, and allowing them in any way to insulate me from the suffering and need of others. [silence] Lord Jesus, we lift up our brothers and sisters this morning who are in situations of uncertainly, doubt or confusion. We pray that You will send to them Your angels of discernment, inner strength and peace. Your power is perfect, Lord! We pray that Your power and a sense of Your presence will wash over our friends and fill them up. Bring all healing and recovery to those who long for it today, as we pray that in all circumstances we will all draw closer to You. This is our dearest need and desire. We ask these things in Your precious name. Amen. Dear friends, Joey and I leave tomorrow on our mission trip with the Youth. We will be gone until Sunday, July 14th. Please keep us in your prayers! The Daily Prayer may be suspended due to lack of cell service, but please email your prayer requests anyway, and keep the faithful Rebecca informed! I will be keeping in touch as best I can. Praise God in all things! - Chris
Posted on: Fri, 05 Jul 2013 18:10:19 +0000
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