21 Martyrs

Since the first century, Christians have endured persecution. Yet in the midst of death, the Church remained alive and hopeful remembering Jesus’ promise, “Blessed are those who are persecuted because of righteousness, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.” (Matthew 5:10)

“Persecution of Christians wakes a slumbering church. This call to remembrance and prayer reminds us that the blood of the martyrs has always been the seed for a revived church. May we remain sober-minded and fall to our knees in prayer for God to stir our hearts to obedience.” 

(Gabe Lyons, World Magazine, Christian leaders unite in call to prayer for persecuted church: http://www.worldmag.com/2015/02/christian_leaders_unite_in_call_to_prayer_for_persecuted_church, 21 Martyrs: http://21martyrs.com)


21 Martyrs

Twenty-one lives

Kneeling on sand

Twenty-one fell 

At his command

Twenty-one prayers

On Rock, they land

Twenty-one souls 

They kneel; they stand

Twenty-one call, “Jesus!”

His blood cries from the sand

Twenty-one take His hand

© February 21, 2015, Robbie Pruitt

“We give thanks to you, O Lord our God, for all your servants
 and witnesses of time past: for Abraham, the father of believers, and Sarah his wife; for Moses, the lawgiver, and Aaron, the
 priest; for Miriam and Joshua, Deborah and Gideon, and
 Samuel with Hannah his mother; for Isaiah and all the prophets; for Mary, the mother of our Lord; for Peter and Paul and all
 the apostles; for Mary and Martha, and Mary Magdalene; for
 Stephen, the first martyr, and all the martyrs and saints in
 every age and in every land. In your mercy, O Lord our God, give us, as you gave to them, the hope of salvation and the 
promise of eternal life; through Jesus Christ our Lord, the 
first-born of many from the dead. Amen.” (Book of Common Prayer, p. 838)