At the front of the sanctuary, in a very prominent location, this lantern will become an important part of our worship services.  In it, a candle will be lit and a prayer will be offered for the persecuted church around the world and here at home.  Why is this important – why now?

All around the world, the Church of Jesus Christ is being persecuted.  Christians are losing their lives, not because they have done anything wrong but simply because they are Christians.  I know, Christians have been being persecuted throughout the ages, since the birth of the Church.  That is absolutely true, from Stephen through Paul and all of the other disciples, Christians have been being killed.  Actually, Jesus himself was killed because he claimed to be the promised messiah.  From the very beginning, Christianity has included an element of suffering, there is certainly no denying that.  Maybe that is just part of the way things are supposed to be.  My experience is that anytime you are going against the grain, standing up for what is right even when it is in opposition to what is comfortable, you run the risk of being persecuted for your position.  It is just part of what Christians should expect until Jesus Christ returns to collect his Church.