“That Christians, and other religious minorities in Asian countries, may be able to practice,” is the prayer intention of Pope Francis for January 2018, promoted throughout the world by the Pope’s Worldwide Prayer Network.
The Pope’s Worldwide Prayer Network addresses the challenges facing humanity and assists the mission of the Church. We pray and work to meet the challenges of the world identified by the Pope in his monthly intentions, while walking a spiritual path called the “Way of the Heart.” |
The following prayer in support of this month’s intention is based on public comments of Pope Francis on the Feast of St. Stephen in 2016:
By choosing the truth, Christ became at the same time the victim of the mystery of evil present in the world – but He has conquered… Today the Church is experiencing severe persecution in different places, up to the supreme test of martyrdom… How many of our brothers and sisters in faith suffer abuse, violence, and are hated because of Jesus… We want to think about them and be close to them with our affection, our prayer, and also our tears.
When we read the history of the early centuries, here in Rome, we read about so much cruelty towards Christians. There is this same cruelty today, and in greater numbers with Christians. In making space within our heart to the Son of God… let us renew the joyous and courageous willingness to follow him faithfully as our only guide, persevering in living according to the mind of the Gospel and refusing the mentality of the rulers of this world. Amen. – Father Blazek SJ
