"We had been praying for peace during the Mass."

I don't think I'm unique among Christians when I say that when I hear "martyr" or "persecution of Christians," I tend to think of St. Stephen or Sts. Felicity and Perpetua or other such people who lived long, long ago.

I don't tend to think of people today, killed because of their faith.

According to an article on CNS, seven churches were bombed in Baghdad and Mosul between July 11 and 13.

Chaldean Auxiliary Bishop Shelmon Warduni of Baghdad had finished celebrating Mass, and spent time talking to his parishoners before going to his office. It was then, while he was in his office, that a bomb exploded next to the church.

"It was hell,"he said.

All told, 4 were killed in the area of the Church of Our Lady of the Sacred Heart; 32 others were wounded in the seven bombings, according to the AFP.

The bishop asked for prayers: "We don't have any weapon but prayer. With prayer, we can kill the war."

Amen.

Please pray for peace in the Middle East - and also for the conversion of souls to a peace that surpasses all understanding (Philippians 4:7).

Call to prayer for our Nation & Video

Seek the Lord while he may be found, call upon him while he is near; let the wicked forsake his way, and the unrighteous his thoughts; let him return to the LORD, that he may have mercy on him. (Isaiah 55:6,7 see also vs.8-11)

We are, I believe, at a pivotal time in the history of the US and the world. Here in the states we are approaching a very significant presidential election, we are faced with very troubling economic issues and, with the nations of the world, face multiple serious threats to humanity.

The Christian people have the responsibility and the power of prayer to effect change. To cry out for mercy not judgment to come upon our country and the nations. We desperately need God's intervention. We need an explosion of forgiveness and grace bringing about what only He can do- change us from the inside out. Heartfelt change. Beginning with His own body, the Church, who are called to give a counter cultural witness of what it means to be fully human, fully alive, at- one-ment with our Creator and Redeemer. Not conformed to the patterns of thinking of the world systems that are opposed to the Lordship of Christ and, which tell us right about now is the time to live in fear and anxiety. Rather St. Paul tells us at times like this we are called to live in the peace of God which transcends all human understanding and to pray! See Phillipians 4:4-7

I urge you to commit to pray on behalf of our country at this time. Pray for mercy and not judgment to come upon us. Join with others to earnestly seek the Lord.

Pray for the election.

AND exercise your responsibility to vote!

Take a look at this inspiring video from CatholicVote.com Pass it on to all of your friends!