Lent: Week Five

“To keep united to God through the suffering humanity of his Son–-that is the aim of Lent. “ -Dorothy Day

In his last dying words, Jesus quoted a previous King of Isreal who prayed:

In you, O Lord, do I take refuge;

let me never be put to shame;
in your righteousness deliver me!
Incline your ear to me; rescue me speedily!
Be a rock of refuge for me,
a strong fortress to save me!
For you are my rock and my fortress;
and for your name’s sake you lead me and guide me;
you take me out of the net they have hidden for me, for you are my refuge.
Into your hand I commit my spirit;
you have redeemed me, O Lord, faithful God.

The work of Christ's suffering for our sake continues today as his Body is beaten, killed and persecuted throughout the world.

Li Ying

Location: People's Republic of China

Arrested: April 2001

Days Imprisoned: 3657

Journalist Li Ying is currently serving a 15-year prison sentence for her role in the publication of an underground church magazine in China. She was arrested in April 2001 along with 16 others from the South China Church and condemned to death in December 2001. Her current sentence was handed down during a retrial ordered by the Hubei Provincial Supreme Court in October 2002. Arrest and imprisonment are not new to this young woman. She has been arrested many times and spent a year in prison in 1996. Li Ying is the niece of Pastor Gong Shengliang, founder of the South China Church, one of the fastest growing house-church movements in China. Li Ying cannot have a Bible and is forced to work 15 hours each day on products for export out of China.

Youcef Nardarkhani

Location: Islamic Republic of Iran Arrested: October 2009 Days Imprisoned: 541

Pastor Youcef Nardarkhani was reportedly sentenced to death for apostasy. His trial was held in recent weeks in the 11th Chamber of The Assize Court of the province of Gilan. He was arrested in October 2009 after protesting a decision by the government requiring that his son study the Quran. Pastor Youcef is a leader in the Full Gospel “Church of Iran” network, a group that stands apart from most house church groups in Iran. He is waiting for the Supreme Court to review his case and render a judgment on whether or not the death sentence will be carried out.

Y Wo Nie

Location: Socialist Republic of Vietnam Arrested: August 2004 Days Imprisoned: 2422 Pastor Y Wo Nie was arrested August 18, 2004, for leading a demonstration demanding more religious freedom and the release of property confiscated by the Vietnamese government. He received a nine-year sentence. His family has not been able to visit him.

To these and to others who submit themselves to the way of the cross, Jesus says “Blessed are you when people insult you, persecute you and falsely say all kinds of evil against you because of me. Rejoice and be glad, because great is your reward in heaven, for in the same way they persecuted the prophets who were before you."

Do we sometimes fumble aimlessly along in prayer? Do we find ourselves unfocused or just rattling off a wishlist to a God we hope is listening? Do we remember what we have to fast for? Fast for the saints suffering, for the confessors and martyrs, for the churches who share one bible amongst all their people, passing around a few pages at a time.

This week we give up our individual concerns, our personal struggles, to pray with the church in chains. We fast from our own prayers and join ourselves to Christ in prayer for those who join themselves to Christ in suffering. May God be with them, and may we be with them as well.