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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5. “I am thirsty.” (John 19:28)
Pick up the fifth candle, speak these words, blow the candle out and put it back in its place on the table.
“I am thirsty…..as we consider the persecution of a hundred million Christians, this is an experience that we all share. We all get thirsty. One can be thirsty not only for water, but for example one can thirst for justice. Thirst for love. Thirst for freedom, for healing. Thirst for not having to be afraid any more. Thirst for growth. I am thirsty.