For All who Are Persecuted--July 3, 2015

Lord Jesus, why do we persecute you still?

Many people followed you on your way to the cross,

women beat their breasts and wailed for you.

In many countries there is terrible warfare,

and there is panic in the cities and in the countryside;

even the warriors tremble at the persecution.

Be gracious to them, Jesus; you know what

it is like to be persecuted; you suffer with the victims.

Heal them, whose bones shake with terror.

Lectionary Readings

Ps. 88; 148; 6; 20

1 Sam. 13:19-14:15

Acts 9:1-9

Luke 23:26-31

Selected Verses

Ps. 6:2

Be gracious to me, O LORD, for I am languishing;
          O LORD, heal me, for my bones are shaking with terror. 

1 Sam.14:15

There was a panic in the camp, in the field, and among all the people; the garrison and even the raiders trembled; the earth quaked; and it became a very great panic.

Acts 9:4

[Saul] fell to the ground and heard a voice saying to him, “Saul, Saul, why do you persecute me?”

Luke 23:27

A great number of the people followed [Jesus, on his way to be crucified], and among them were women who were beating their breasts and wailing for him.