Often forgotten is the suffering and persecution that Christians regularly experience at the hands of Muslims. In that regard, German Chancellor Merkel's pointing out the elephant in the room was a refreshing change. However, the few Christians in Syria are being driven out or killed by the Syrian rebels (yes, the same ones to whom Obama is secretly supplying weapons).
In recent days news agencies published the story about the death of the last remaining Christian in the city of Homs, a city that has undergone a religious “clean up” by Islamic rebels. Elias Mansour, 84, a Greek Orthodox Christian, had not wanted to abandon his house in Via Wadi Sayeh because he had to look after his handicapped son. The neighbourhood in which he lived was the scene of violent clashes. An Orthodox priest is looking for his son, whose whereabouts are unknown.I've been thinking recently of the Lord's Prayer:
. . . At the end of mass, the priest advises faithful in Bad Tuma to leave quietly, in small groups. Groups of more than four people have to split up. “Christians feel they are being targeted. On one church wall they wrote: “Christians, it’s your turn”. At the beginning, one of the slogans being shouted out was: 'the Alawites to the graves and the Christians to Beirut”. Now it is: “Alawites and Christians to the cemeteries”.”
After this manner therefore pray ye: Our Father which art in heaven, Hallowed be thy name.I wonder how many of us actually pray "Thy kingdom come." From my own perspective, at least, I worry about all the horrible things that precede the Second Coming, so that I want to put it off. However, maybe it is time that we Christians earnestly begin to pray that the Lord return.
Thy kingdom come. Thy will be done in earth, as it is in heaven.
Give us this day our daily bread.
And forgive us our debts, as we forgive our debtors.
And lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil: For thine is the kingdom, and the power, and the glory, for ever. Amen.
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