4th Sunday of Lent

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Sundays are considered "little Easters" and aren't counted in the 40 days of Lent
...but you can still pray!

In fact, Bishop Carter (of the Florida United Methodist Conference) has called  us to pray today and this week: to pray against persecution and violence

God of us all,
You love us so passionately that you sent Your Son to help us experience the fullness of divine love. And while we love you, we are not often asked to risk our lives because of our faith.
This is not true for many of our sisters and brothers in Christ.
Our hearts break as we see more of them suffering and dying simply because they are living as disciples of Jesus.
We pray for their safety and sanctuary. We pray that you will give them grace in suffering.  We are humbled by the witness of these martyred for their faith. We pray for their persecutors, and that acts of violence and persecution will cease.
Help us to grow in our commitment to live as Jesus' disciples. Remind us that we are the One Body of Christ: when one member suffers, all suffer. Stir us to pray unceasingly.
And empower us to speak boldly.
We pray all of this in the name of our Savior and Lord,
Jesus the Christ.
Amen.

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