Huss had called for reform in the fifteenth-century church, challenging priests who sold indulgences (the right to sin without consequence) and calling for biblical standards of justice. Huss was promised royal protection to present his defense. But he now sat in a dungeon, awaiting death, and cried out to God.
On July 6, 1415, Huss was stripped and chained to a stake. As the fire was lit around him, Huss prayed, "Lord Jesus Christ, it is for the sake of the gospel and the preaching of the word that I undergo with patience and humility this terrifying, ignominious, and cruel death."
As the flames rose around him, Huss, with his final breath, cried out, "Christ, Son of the living God, have mercy upon me." Huss's witness was crucial in ending the practice of selling indulgences and influencing Christians to return to biblical teachings.
Prayer. That which does the most, we often do the least. Prayer is our first defense against spiritual warfare, yet often our last resort. Those who are persecuted for their faith teach us the priority of prayer. Their last remarks are not fighting words. Their final actions on earth are not resistance. Instead, prayer is their dying breath, confounding their accusers and convincing others of their resolute faith. History shows persecuted saints' dying prayers can influence others for the gospel perhaps more than if they had lived.
When you are in life's crucible and the "flames" are hot around you, will you turn to prayer? Will others see your first and last defense is your communication with your heavenly Father?
Dear Heavenly Father, we pray that we will have a faith so full of the Spirit that we praise you till our dying breath. Kindle a unquenchable fire in our souls that no darkness can extinguish. Lord we are incapable of doing anything of our own accord without you. In the times we are filled with unspeakable fears, we reach out our hand to you and ask for you to walk beside us. We cannot carry all our burdens ourselves, only you can. Please help us hold on strong through our trials, and hold fast to our faith in our darkest hour. Stay with us Lord, fill us with your Spirit. In Jesus name we pray. Amen
May You Be Blessed with Peace and Understanding.
