I have heard from several people (who apparently heard it from their roommate who heard it from his pastor who read it somewhere) that there are those who are praying for persecution in the American church. In short, I have heard this sentiment voiced, but I have no more clear idea where it originated than the folks who told me. That said, I can see where these individuals might see a benefit in a kill order being issued for all Christians in the U.S. Such an event would galvanize many believers and force many more to make an honest commitment to Christ or admit to themselves (and whoever were holding the gun) that they are no follower of the Jesus the Messiah. However, there is a great blindness to prayers for a purging tribulation.
To understand the scope of this blindness, one must look at the battle over the American church from the perspective of the enemy. Right now, complacency and "freedom" are two of the most powerful weapons in his arsenal. Why on earth would he initiate an offensive that would destroy both of them? In terms of strategy, he can accomplish much more eternal damage by foregoing the momentary pleasure of seeing hundreds (if not thousands) fall away from Christ publicly.
The next thing to consider is that we are already in a tribulation that rivals Nero and the Inquisition. It is not the overt, obvious kind that was executed in both of the attacks mentioned above. Rather, it is an attack suited to the 21st century. It is based upon precision strikes, counter-intelligence, and sabotage. Satan is no amateur, and he is staging a state-of-the-art offensive on our church.
He has his high value targets, some of which he has leveled and some not. Consider Pastor Bob Coy (pastor of a mega-church in Fort Lauderdale)-sniped. Pete Newman (Director of one of the Kanakuk Kamps)-sniped. Etc. But, there have been men who understand the new approach to warfare; Billy Graham is a great example. He surrounded himself with spiritual bodyguards and never began his day without donning the spiritual flak-jacket of righteousness and getting into the bullet-proof SUV of faith.
Not only are our leaders being assassinated, but be are being bombarded with counter-intel from men like Joel Osteen and Rob Bell. They preach complacency and entitlement. We are also being told that we are free; which is true. We are free, but we are commanded not to use our "freedom as a covering for evil [fornication, idolatry, watching trashy movies/reading trashy book, getting drunk, speaking profanely], but use it as bondslaves of God." (1 Peter 2:16). Our freedom does not give us licence to do what pleases us! Our freedom is a freedom from the human imperative to sin; in other words, it is the freedom to turn away from what pleases us. Because we have been freed, we can reject "the former lusts which were [ours] in [our] ignorance." (1 Peter 1:14).
Friends, we need not pray a tribulation on the American church; it is here. Our faith is being tested/proved. How many of us spend more time in front of the TV than reading the Word of God? How many of us have become more elated/enraged at a favorite soccer team winning/losing this month than at hearing the name of God taken in vain or seeing a someone stop and help change a tire on the highway? This is a tribulation that does not snap people from their lethargy but encourages it. A tribulation that does not galvanize but softens. We must be on our guard as never before because we are in a red-zone, and many of the sentries are asleep.
"Like the Holy One who called you, be holy yourselves also in all your behavior" (1 Peter 1:15)
