Dr. Michael Youssef confronts a difficult subject in his new book, “Hope for This Present Crisis” — the persecution of the modern-day church in America.
Over the last year and a half, restrictions placed on churches during the COVID-19 pandemic and rising censorship of faith-based organizations and leaders has made it all the more apparent that opposition toward the Christian faith is only increasing.
“I think we are only seeing the beginning of the unfair treatment and persecution that lies ahead for the church,” says Dr. Youssef. “I believe we are heading into a time of severe testing where we are about to find out if we are made of the same stuff as the apostles. We are about to find out if we are willing to stand for God’s truth, whatever the cost.”
In “Hope for This Present Crisis” Dr. Youssef encourages Christians to see these times of crisis as opportunities for revival. He also provides practical action steps for Christians to take to see spiritual renewal in America:
- Christians should morally and spiritually purify themselves — turning from sin and turning to God for forgiveness and restoration. He has promised, “If my people, who are called by my name, will humble themselves and pray and seek my face and turn from their wicked ways, then I will hear from heaven, and I will forgive their sin and will heal their land” (2 Chron. 7:14).
- Christians should pray for our nation. Dr. Youssef urges believers to thank God for our country and ask Him to send revival. Pray for God to turn every church and home into a house of prayer; ask Him to purify His people so that the bride of Christ would be faithful and holy; and ask Him to set us apart as His followers, consecrated to His service and the preaching of His Gospel.
- Christians should persevere in sharing the Gospel with everyone around them. Whether people receive the good news with joy or reject it, never give up. Never stop witnessing.
“[The apostles] could have prayed, ‘Lord, stop these evil men! Silence them! Defeat them! Thwart their plans!’ But that was not the prayer of Peter and John,” says Dr. Youssef. “Instead, they prayed, ‘Now, Lord, consider their threats and enable your servants to speak your word with great boldness’ (Acts 4:29). They prayed for boldness! . . . The time is now upon us when we must pray for boldness rather than safety. We must obey God rather than human beings.”
At a time when many are becoming discouraged by the spiritual climate in America, Dr. Youssef encourages his readers that “In any contest of ideas, whether we have the First Amendment and Supreme Court on our side, or our rights have been stripped from us and the entire world has risen against us — God’s truth will prevail.”
“Hope for This Present Crisis” is available now through Leading The Way and wherever books are sold. Get your copy today.
