The Church Always Prays for

Continued 👇🏾 The Church Always Prays for the Persecuted The Orthodox Tewahedo Church calls her God, Jesus Christ, “the Hope of the Persecuted” (from the Liturgy). Indeed, He is the hope of all who suffer for their faith, their teaching, and their salvation. ✍🏾 He who suffered even unto death for the salvation of mankind honors those who believe in Him and suffer for His Kingdom. In the part of the Liturgy called The (Be-Ente Kidsat,) the Church prays, saying: “We pray for those who are persecuted, that God may grant them patience and wise instruction, and that they may receive a full reward for their labor.” Thus, she intercedes for all who are afflicted and persecuted. ✍🏾 In her prayer of blessing, the Church also supplicates, saying: “Relieve every oppressed soul; those who are bound in chains; those who are persecuted and captive; and those who are held under cruel authority, O our God, by Your goodness.” ✍🏾 In the eighth beatitude, our Lord Jesus Christ taught: “Blessed are those who are persecuted for righteousness’ sake, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven” (Matthew 5:10). He not only spoke these words but fulfilled them through His own life. ✍🏾 Our Lord Jesus Christ, the King of Heaven, suffered all things in righteousness — from His persecution as a child, to the false accusations during His ministry, and finally His suffering and crucifixion under false witnesses. All these He endured for the salvation of those who believe in His holy name. Through His redemptive passion, He opened the door of the Kingdom of Heaven for us and became the eternal hope of all who are persecuted for righteousness’ sake. ✍🏾 What is expected of us, therefore, is to live in a manner worthy of the inheritance He has prepared the Kingdom of Heaven. If we follow the example of the saints who overcame the stumbling blocks of Satan, whose holy lives and struggles the Church commemorates, and if we strive earnestly for righteousness, then our faithful God, the Lord of the Kingdom, will indeed grant us to inherit His eternal Kingdom. May the name of the Holy God be praised forever and ever in every tongue that He has created, today and always. May the blessings of God's mother, the virgin, and the cross be upon us. Amen. © John's Repentance Reach out to us on our social media platforms and share it with your friends:https://linktr.ee/johnsrepentance