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 March 9, 2008 |
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Within Christendom millions live under the mistaken belief that their observance of rules, regulations and rituals will make God more pleased with them. |
The majority of the world today lives under some form of religious oppression. Even now, thousands are being imprisoned, tortured or put to death for their faith. In the 20th century alone, it is estimated that 45 million people died for their Christian faith.
But a far more insidious form of religious oppression plagues millions of people. Most of the victims don’t even know they are being oppressed—because this oppression is often self-imposed. Within Christendom millions live under the mistaken belief that their observance of religious rituals, regulations, rules, restrictions and routines will somehow make God more pleased with them. Often, these people are unaware that they are living under a burden. Until Someone begins to lift the weight from their shoulders, they don’t know what a heavy load they’ve been carrying all their lives. That’s why Plain Truth Ministries is dedicating Sunday, March 9th as a special day of prayer for the millions who are in the bonds of religious oppression and legalism.
What can you do? Join with Christian friends for a time of prayer. Pray for someone you know who is a slave to religious legalism. If you’re in a small group, make it a point to meet on that day and pray for religious captives. Tell your pastor. Email your Christian friends and let them know. Take some time right now to read the resources we’ve posted about the Day of Prayer for the Captives.
Read these excerpts from comments posted on PTM's ministry First-Aid for Legalists.
"I have been a self-imposed legalistic Christian for years now. No church I have attended ever taught me this, but somehow I convinced myself over the years that I was not good enough (and neither was anyone else), that I had to 'do' certain things to gain God's favor, I had to dress a certain way, talk a certain way, pretend my life was perfect. What stress!"
"We came out of a very legalistic church, much like a cult (it had the same effect). My husband and I don't go to church now and have had struggles with even being able to read a Bible since leaving the group."
"I always thought legalists were people who had strict rules about manner of dress, dancing, music etc. But my legalism is really about my sense that when I sin God is finished with me and when I'm 'good' God loves me more. When I sin, I blame myself for not being a good enough Christian or for not being a 'real' Christian at all. I worry about what the people at church would think if they knew I struggled with the sins I struggled with."
These people were held captive by ideas they learned from legalistic religion-and there are millions more like them.
Plain Truth Ministries exists to bring the freedom of God's grace to these captives. But our work will not be successful without God's intervention.
That's why we've set aside Sunday, March 9, 2008 as the third annual Day of Prayer for the Captives— for all those who are in the bonds of religious oppression and legalism.