with Persecuted Christians, One with Jesus suffering in his brothers and sisters

       World, 19 February 2021 -- Every day, millions of Christians around the world suffer for their faith. Many are persecuted for their beliefs, their ordeals can include discrimination at home or in the workplace, fines, imprisonment, hunger, torture and even execution. Still others are living out their Christian faith in extremely isolated communities or in the face of abject poverty.

       Every story about suffering and persecuted Christians involves real people with names, hopes and dreams. But for us they are often too far away to think about them. This Lenten season may become a good opportunity to get know their stories. We are members of the same body of Christ, we are one family with them. Just last month we listened to the testimonies of our Lahore persecuted Pakistani Christians.

       So, just as we walk with Jesus whenever we pray before the Stations of the Cross, so we walk with all those who suffer for their faith. Let us pray for them, that their faith may continue to grow and that their suffering will ease through the mercy and compassion of Our Lord.

       The 2021 Way of the Cross prepared by the 'Church in Need' (ACN) brings us to Nicaragua, Balkans, Egypt, North East India, Syria, Siberia, Mozambique, Lebanon, Brazil, Venezuela, CAR (Central African Republic), Pakistan, Iraq and Uganda. We meet lay people, religious and also martyrs, like our Past Pupil of Don Bosco, Akash Bashir (Lahore).

       Let's take this opportunity to be one with suffering Jesus in his brothers and sisters around the world in our present time. On the ACN website you have power point, PDF, Videos and other materials also for the children (Primary school) and young adults.

       Pray for Persecuted Christians

We pray together in solidarity with the millions of Christian people

around the world who are peresecuted because of their beliefs.

Loving Father, we pray that each other of your precious children

across the world may know of your love for them.

We pray that, where life bas become very difficult,

you may make a clear path for them.

We pray for their protection, and for them to know that

"... under His wings you will find refuge." (Psalm 90,4)

May persecuted Christians know that with your grace,

Lord God, they can do anything.

We offer our prayers for their strength and safety.

We make our prayer through Christ, our Lord. Amen

       Resources:

• Way of the Cross for Pandemic times
• Way of the Cross for the Persecuted Christians
• Way of the Cross - Aid to the Church in Need

       Websites

• United Kingdom
• ACN International portal - 30 countries

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