Pastor Dave preaches from Revelation 2 as we start to look at the Seven Churches; this week we're going to Smyrna.  Smyrna was a persecuted church.  Providentially, this is also Pray for the Persecuted Church Sunday.  So hopefully our time of prayer and the preaching of God's Word will go hand-in-hand.  It's easy to look at the church hundreds of years ago and not think that the church today is facing much the same thing.

Recently Dr. Carl Moeller, President/CEO of Open Doors USA said , "So, this unique interaction between persecution and revival continues today.  We see it in the book of Acts, and throughout church history.  Wherever the church grows dramatically, resistance from the enemy comes out and persecution takes place, especially in those places where Christianity is not a dominant religion.  It's a powerless religion, so it is always acted upon by the powerful."

Persecution should serve as a call to prayer for us.  And may it lead to revival.