Praying for the persecuted church using the seven words of Jesus on the cross.
Length of the prayer time : about 45 minutes in total
Light seven large candles and arrange them on a table. By each of the seven words pick up a candle, and when you have spoken the words, blow the candle out and put it back on the table. You start with seven lit candles and finish with seven candles that have been blown out.
The ‘seven words of Jesus’ are the seven sentences that Jesus spoke while on the cross.
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1. “Father forgive them, for they do not know what they are doing”. (Luke 23:34)
Pick up the first candle, speak these words, blow the candle out and put it back in its place on the table.
“As we think about the persecuted church, it is natural to pray for her. Jesus’ first words on the cross were “Father forgive them, for they do not know what they are doing” . During this time of prayer for persecuted Christians, we do not only want to pray for those who are being persecuted. To start with we are going to pray for the persecutors. Those who are persecuting a hundred million Christians, through fanaticism, ignorance or any other reason.”
Hand out paper, pen and a pin to everyone.