Today is International Day of Prayer for the Persecuted Church. Christians in the US need to stand up for our freedom of worship and stop the erosion of respect for Christian faith in the country. Unless we vigorously work to keep our freedoms, we will lose them.
But we are still free. Praise God! Let us remember the many Christians around the world who do not enjoy freedom of religion, the faithful who are tortured and killed for their faith. Read the stories of persecuted Christians at One with Them and pray for them, not only today but always.
O GOD, merciful Father, who despisest not the sighing of a contrite heart, nor the desire of such as are sorrowful; Mercifully assist our prayers which we make before thee on behalf of persecuted Christians in their troubles and adversities, whensoever and wheresoever they are oppressed, and graciously hear us, that those evils which the craft and subtilty of the devil or man worketh against them, may, by thy good providence, be brought to nought; that thy servants, being hurt by no persecutions, may evermore give thanks unto thee in thy holy Church; through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen. (Adapted from the 1928 Book of Common Prayer)
