Prayer of a Martyred Zimbabwe Pastor

The picture above is of a mass gravesite in Zimbabwe, an attempt by a poor country to

bury the dead from a cholera outbreak. I added the photo only

because it helps provide some color to the prayer I've chosen as today's blog post.

This prayer was found among the possessions of a Zimbabwe pastor who was martyred

for his faith:

I’m part of the fellowship of the unashamed. I have the Holy Spirit power.

The die has been cast. I have stepped over the line. The decision has been

made—I’m a disciple of his. I won’t look back, let up, slow down, back

away, or be still. My past is redeemed, my present makes sense, my future is

secure. I’m finished and done with low living, sight walking, smooth knees,

colorless dreams, tamed visions, worldly talking, cheap giving, and dwarfed

goals.

I no longer need preeminence, prosperity, position, promotions, plaudits,

or popularity. I don’t have to be right, first, tops, recognized, praised,

regarded, or rewarded. I now live by faith, lean on his presence, walk by

patience, am uplifted by prayer, and labor with power.

My face is set, my gait is fast, my goal is heaven, my road is narrow, my

way is rough, my companions are few, my Guide is reliable, my mission is

clear. I cannot be bought, compromised, detoured, lured away, turned back,

deluded, or delayed. I will not flinch in the face of sacrifice, hesitate in the

presence of the enemy, pander at the pool of popularity, or meander in the

maze of mediocrity.

I won’t give up, shut up, or let up until I have stayed up, stored up, prayed

up, paid up, preached up for the cause of Christ. I am a disciple of Jesus.

I must keep going until he comes, give until I drop, preach until all know,

and work until he stops me. And, when he comes for his own, he will have no

problem recognizing me. My banner will be clear.