Father Forgive Us

So much attention has been on the persecution of Christians and others in Iraq recently. Yet, in every church that I have visited lately, unless I request prayer for persecuted Christians around the world, there is no prayer offered for them. Lest you think that I have been an ardent prayer warrior for our brothers and sisters around the world, it is only because of news reports of the atrocities against Christians and other people in Iraq that I raise this flag. Before the recent media coverage, I gave little thought to this need. Yet, when something even of meager importance happens to me, my family, or my friends, I expect people to faithfully march to the throne of God on my behalf.
Isn’t it sad that it takes news of children being beheaded or disemboweled to get our attention? I am afraid that the focus of our Christian lives is only about us. And I am afraid that the scope of view of the world is myopic.
We should have been praying all along. We should be thinking more of others than self. And the truth of the matter is that it is not “we” ... it is “me.” For that I am truly ashamed. God forgive me and cause me to be faithful in prayer from this point on.