As I write this blog I cannot believe it is almost the end of February 2015 already. Anyway...
On Monday the 23rd February I had the pleasure of speaking to the 6th year at St Ninian's about the current situation in Iraq and Syria faced by persecuted Christians. Thank you to Mr Bradshaw for the invitation.
During the presentation, the students found it useful to hear case studies about persecuted Christians who were of a similar age.
Prayer, Information and Action are the foundations of ACN's work. Therefore, this was the format of my talk.
Prayer
As with every ACN event, we began with the Prayer for Persecuted Christians:
Father in Heaven, you make your sun shine
on good and bad alike.
Your Son Jesus Christ died for us all
and in his glorious Resurrection
He still retains the five wounds of his Passion.
With his divine power he now sustains
all those who suffer persecution and martyrdom
for the sake of their fidelity
to the faith of the Church.
Merciful and mighty Father,
do not allow Cain to return again to murder
helpless Abel, innocent Abel.
May persecuted Christians around the world
remain, like Mary, their Mother,
together at the foot of the cross
of Christ the Martyr.
Comfort those menaced by violence
and those oppressed by uncertainty.
May your Holy Spirit of love
make fruitful the witness and the blood
of those who die forgiving.
on good and bad alike.
Your Son Jesus Christ died for us all
and in his glorious Resurrection
He still retains the five wounds of his Passion.
With his divine power he now sustains
all those who suffer persecution and martyrdom
for the sake of their fidelity
to the faith of the Church.
Merciful and mighty Father,
do not allow Cain to return again to murder
helpless Abel, innocent Abel.
May persecuted Christians around the world
remain, like Mary, their Mother,
together at the foot of the cross
of Christ the Martyr.
Comfort those menaced by violence
and those oppressed by uncertainty.
May your Holy Spirit of love
make fruitful the witness and the blood
of those who die forgiving.
Amen.
Information
The information and case studies I shared with the students focused on:
- The importance of religious freedom as a human right
- The key causes of Christian persecution
- The situation faced by Christians in Iraq and Syria
- The types of discrimination and oppression that Christians experience
Action
During the visit I encouraged the students to take action (and so can you):
- Like us on Facebook: www.facebook.com/acn.scotland.office
- Follow us on Twitter: @ACN_Scotland
- Learn more about the different countries that we support: www.acnuk.org/countries
- Sign up to our E-Newsletter
- Pray for persecuted Christians
- Fundraise for ACN
If you would like to learn more about ACN and the persecuted Church and find out ways in which you can help, please phone me on: 01698 337 472.
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