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Among the ashes

What do you do when it all falls apart? This beautiful, inspiring film combines biblical reflection with stories from the persecuted church, to explore how the biblical principle of lament can bring us hope and comfort, even in the darkest situations.

Watch now…

The film is presented by teacher and writer Ron Boyd-Macmillan who has worked with Open Doors for over 35 years.

After watching the film

Read:

• Psalm 6:6-7
  “I am worn out from my groaning. All night long I flood my bed with weeping and drench my couch with tears. My eyes grow weak with sorrow; they fail because of all my foes.” (Psalm 6:6–7)

Pray:

1. Tell God how you are feeling

• Privately and in quiet, tell God how you feel right now. Where is the light? Where is the darkness? If it helps, write down your thoughts – write a letter to God.

2. Tell God about the ‘foes’ you are facing

• As Christians, our ‘foes’ are not people whom we want to destroy. But perhaps there are people whom you need to forgive, but who, in all honesty, you do not feel like forgiving.
• Or, maybe your foes are not people at all, but feelings: anxiety, fear, shame. Perhaps your foes are things that you have done
  and for which you need to ask forgiveness. (Perhaps you do not feel any of this at all. In which case, praise the Lord!)
• What can you pray in this situation? Can you pray a blessing on people who have hurt you? Can you pray for protection from feelings which harm you? Can you bring before our loving God the things for which you know you need forgiveness?

Jesus promises us forgiveness. He promises us His presence. We have the promises of God – in writing.

Read:

• Psalm 6:8-9
  “Away from me, all you who do evil, for the LORD has heard my weeping. The LORD has heard my cry for mercy; the LORD accepts my prayer.”