O Lord, whose holy saints and martyrs
in all times and places have endured
affliction, suffering and tribulation,
by the power of the Holy Cross,
the armor of salvation:
so likewise, we pray, send your Holy Spirit,
the Comforter and Advocate of all Christians,
to sustain these Churches in their
martyrdom, witness and mission.
The world without provocation hates your Church,
but you have taught us not to despair.
Therefore, you who are a God at hand
and not a God afar off,
grant these Christians the power to lift up
their hands, their eyes and their hearts
to continue their living witness
in unity with the universal Church,
to the glory of your most holy name.
Unknown, Romania
_________________________
Only let your manner of life be worthy of the gospel of Christ,
so that whether I come and see you or am absent,
I may hear of you that you are standing firm in one spirit,
with one mind striving side by side for the faith of the gospel,
and not frightened in anything by your opponents.
This is a clear sign to them of their destruction,
but of your salvation, and that from God.
For it has been granted to you that for the sake of Christ
you should not only believe in him but also suffer for his sake
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COE will focus on the Persecuted Church on November 1.
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When I selected this one, I also had in mind the students in Oregon
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