For a few weeks, I've been adding a petition to the Prayer of the Church for our persecuted brethren around the world. I recall a lecture by Blessed Kurt Marquart in which he proposed that Christians should never gather without praying for persecuted Christians. Anyway, here is what I slip in to the petitions. Please feel free to join us in this prayer for modern-day confessors and martyrs, and if more churches and confessors should be added, please let me know...
Lord God, heavenly Father, we pray for persecuted Christians around the world, especially for our Lutheran brethren, including the Church of Sudan and their bishop Andrew Elisa, the Church of Kenya and their bishop Walter Obare, the Mission province of the Church of Sweden and their bishop Arne Olsson, the faithful members of the Church of Finland, as well as those persecuted by European governments, including pastors Dr. Johannes Lerle of Germany (sentenced to a year in prison for comparing abortion to the holocaust) and Rev. Ari Norro, (who is to be put on trial on November 16 for refusing to serve at the altar with a woman 'pastor'). Grant them continued courage, steadfastness in the faith, and protection from the evil one."
Fort Wayne is proud to have among its students Obare's son, as well as quite a few members of the Mission Province of Sweden.
ReplyDeleteIronically, (at least technically), we can't commune with the Mission Province guys, whereas two of my classmates who went to England and joined the Anglican Church can!
ReplyDeleteBlessings, of course to Mr. (Rev.?) Obare and the fellows from Sweden. These are truly courageous men.