BROTHERS AND SISTERS, CHRISTIANS IN THE EAST NEED OUR PRAYERS!
Let us pray for the persecuted church,
for their oppressors,
for nations that foster persecution,
and for those who ignore it.
for their oppressors,
for nations that foster persecution,
and for those who ignore it.
Let us read the Holy Scriptures,
finding there the stories and witness of hope
borne by those who lived through ordeals to the glory of God,
and hear the promises of the gospel
for all who are persecuted for righteousness' sake.
finding there the stories and witness of hope
borne by those who lived through ordeals to the glory of God,
and hear the promises of the gospel
for all who are persecuted for righteousness' sake.
In our prayer for persecuted Christians,
let us not narrow our compassion for all who suffer,
whatever their profession or creed;
let no hatred or prejudice enter our hearts for anyone.
let us not narrow our compassion for all who suffer,
whatever their profession or creed;
let no hatred or prejudice enter our hearts for anyone.
Called by the Holy Spirit to unity with the persecuted,
let us enter into their suffering,
repenting of our ignorance,
refusing to be silent,
ready to reach out to them in their isolation.
let us enter into their suffering,
repenting of our ignorance,
refusing to be silent,
ready to reach out to them in their isolation.
PRAYERS OF CHRISTIANS LIVING IN COMFORT
God of the suffering
and all who stagger under the weight of the cross of Christ,
hear us as we seek to stand with those persecuted for being Christians.
and all who stagger under the weight of the cross of Christ,
hear us as we seek to stand with those persecuted for being Christians.
Your cross bearers in other lands are living reminders to us of the cost of discipleship.
While we are at ease in Zion,
they are in an exile of pain and isolation.
While we are feasting on the good things around us,
they keep an involuntary fast.
While we assume a future of well being,
they don't know if they will be alive tomorrow.
While we wear the cross as a piece of jewelry,
they bear it as an invitation to abuse, exclusion, imprisonment even death.
While we are at ease in Zion,
they are in an exile of pain and isolation.
While we are feasting on the good things around us,
they keep an involuntary fast.
While we assume a future of well being,
they don't know if they will be alive tomorrow.
While we wear the cross as a piece of jewelry,
they bear it as an invitation to abuse, exclusion, imprisonment even death.
Turn our hearts to them in prayer and acts of compassion and justice.
Thank you for breathing in them and in us
the yearning for sharing one another's burdens.
Loose their shackles and our complacency.
Bind the forces of abuse and violence at work in their persecutors.
In the silence, pray your mercy in us.
the yearning for sharing one another's burdens.
Loose their shackles and our complacency.
Bind the forces of abuse and violence at work in their persecutors.
In the silence, pray your mercy in us.
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