Today, pray for Christians who suffer persecution for their faith that they may be steadfast and bold in their witness.
Hear our confession Oh God,
We can't really imagine what it would be like to suffer for your Name.
Open our hearts to the men and women sitting behind bars
because they voiced their faith in you.
Raise our consciousness level to the cry of those in need
simply because they bear the name Christian.
Cause us to respond to the youth whose education is denied
because they dare to name your Name.
Faithful God, make us aware of those
for whom at great cost, and greater peril,
quietly call themselves your disciples
in a world where being a Christian means persecution.
We hold them in your Light.
Ancient of Days, help us to kneel with them in prayer
to stand with them in solidarity.
Let them know that
across the miles, beyond the silence,
we add our prayers to yours for them.
Help them to know they are not forgotten.
May they feel the prayers of your people calling out in their behalf.
Show us concrete ways our lives can make a difference.
Tune our hearts to hear their cries,
when we wake,
when we eat,
while we worship
while we work and when we go to rest.
O God, keep them in our minds and we will hold them in our prayers.
Amen.
