Yesterday, faithful Roman Catholics began what is being called the Fortnight for Freedom. The United States Conference of Catholic bishops called on faithful Catholics to a 14 day time of prayer, fasting, and other observances to pray for our country and the attack that has come upon our religious freedom by the present administration. Since in their statement of February 2, 2012 the Assembly of Canonical Orthodox Bishops in North and Central America said,
“[the Assembly] join(s) their voices with the United States Conference of Catholic Bishops and all those who adamantly protest the recent decision by the United States Department of Health and Human Services, and call upon all the Orthodox Christian faithful to contact their elected representatives today to voice their concern in the face of this threat to the sanctity of the Church’s conscience”
I think it is only fitting for faithful Orthodox Christians to join in as well.
You can join a virtual march on Washington, DC here if you like, but I would ask all readers of this site to join me in praying the prayer that I have placed below each day between now and July 4th. In all Orthodox Liturgies we pray for our country and for its leaders so that in their calmness we may lead peaceful and serene lives. By praying for the government, and for them to leave us alone, we are doing what we are called to do in any liturgy.
Please join me. h/t to Fr. Z for the prayer.
O God our Creator, through the power and working of your Holy Spirit, you call us to live out our faith in the midst of the world, bringing the light and the saving truth of the Gospel to every corner of society. We ask you to bless us in our vigilance for the gift of religious liberty. Give us the strength of mind and heart to readily defend our freedoms when they are threatened; give us courage in making our voices heard on behalf of the rights of your Church and the freedom of conscience of all people of faith. Grant, we pray, O heavenly Father, a clear and united voice to all your sons and daughters gathered in your Church in this decisive hour in the history of our nation, so that, with every trial withstood and every danger overcome — for the sake of our children, our grandchildren, and all who come after us — this great land will always be “one nation, under God, indivisible, with liberty and justice for all.” We ask this through Christ our Lord. Amen.
will try to say a prayer daily for not only faith but courage on all our parts,to stand up and be heard when necessary.imagine the faith it took the saints and martyers
Thank you, Fr. Peter! God bless you and your ministry as we all unite in prayer for the Lord’s protection on our religious freedom.