Global Christian Worship

Much of the world is mourning at the recent martyrdom of 21 Egyptian Christians in Libya. Here are some prayers and a song …

1. Anglican Archbishop Foley Beach calls for prayer for the families of the Egyptian martyrs:

“Truly, truly, I say to you, unless a grain of wheat falls into the earth and dies, it remains alone; but if it dies, it bears much fruit. Whoever loves his life loses it, and whoever hates his life in this world will keep it for eternal life.”

~ John 12:23-25

In an effort to support their families, 21 Christian men from Egypt left their country to find work rebuilding Libya. Over the last twenty four hours, the story of their kidnapping and martyrdom on the shores of North Africa has now made its way around the world.

My friend and colleague, Archbishop Mouneer Anis of Egypt, who prayed over me at my investiture, has today written to his people about these events. I ask that you to join me in praying with them:

“…for peace in Libya, Egypt, and the entire Middle East. Please pray the international community will act in wisdom, correctly and efficiently, and support Egypt in its war on terror. Please pray the churches of Egypt will comfort their sons and daughters, encouraging them to resist fear and hatred. And please pray for the perpetrators of this terrible crime, that God would be merciful to them and change their hearts.”

I commend to you his whole letter which can be read here:
http://www.arabic.dioceseofegypt.org/statement-about-the-heinous-murder-of-21-egyptian-christians/

The above is from
http://anglicanchurch.net/?%2Fmain%2Fpage%2F977

2. Here’s a good, detailed story about how a Canadian congregation prays for the Church in Egypt:
http://worship.calvin.edu/resources/resource-library/praying-for-christians-in-egypt-and-elsewhere/

One of my friends is a Christian leader in Egypt, and I know she will appreciate your prayers for her home country (Anne Zaki of the Calvin Institute for Christian Worship).

3. Here’s a music video from 2013 made by Egyptian Christians after their church was attacked and burned by militants. The translated lyrics in English appear on the screen … and you will be amazed at the forgiveness the Christians show their enemies.

4. Here are the name of the 21 Egyptian Christians martyred. Please join me in prayer for their families and their persecutors. 

Join me in praying for their families and for their persecutors, and for the Persecuted Church in Egypt.

http://myocn.net/isis-beheads-21-coptic-orthodox-christians-people-cross/

5. Here’s a powerful meditation on their martyrdom and our biblically-based multiple responses:
http://www.thegospelcoalition.org/blogs/justintaylor/2015/02/16/tom-schreiner-a-biblical-meditation-on-the-isis-execution-of-21-christians/

A summary of our response, taken from that meditation:
We are not surprised at persecution.
We are more than conquerors.
We grieve with those who grieve.
We pray for our enemies and for our suffering brothers and sisters.
We plead for God’s just judgment. 

6. Here’s a prayer from friends at Horizon International, a ministry to those in the Muslim world:

“Whatever the world news may say about the Brave, Martyred 21 Christians who were beheaded by ISIS, Lord, we know Your Word speaks the Truth: "The world was not worthy of them.” (Heb.11:38)
However any evil thinks it’s winning & overcoming,
Your Truth declares that they are the Overcomers, that they overcame “because of the blood of the Lamb & because of the word of their testimony, and they did not love their life even when faced with death.” (Rev.12:11)
And wherever Your people are tonight, God,
We will remember every one of their names because they did not forget You or forsake claiming Your name,
We will pray for their families because they are our literal family,
And we will pray that our faith *in You*
is worth laying down our life *for You,*
We will pray that we don’t live lives of cheap grace but of costly Christianity,
We will pray that their sacrificed lives will stir us to live sacrificial lives
And we will weep prayers for the persecuted Church because we are *bound* to them through Your Heart & in Your heart they are UNBOUND, UNDEFEATABLE, UNDAUNTED, & UNFORGETTABLE.“

The website for Horizons International is
http://www.horizonsinternational.org/