Im scared and need prayers

[lankyknight1990]

Gday.

As many of you are aware, the Coptic Church was attacked on New Years day in Egypt.

What I just found out was that my coptic parish has been threatened with bombing on a muslim extremist Website. The site says that any true muslim should bomb the coptic church on Christmas eve.

Im scared. I want to celebrate the birth of the Lord, but what if these threats are legitimate?

 

[RobNJ]

Lord have mercy!

 

[ikonographics]

Lord have mercy!

 

[Catherineanne]

Gday.

As many of you are aware, the Coptic Church was attacked on New Years day in Egypt.

What I just found out was that my coptic parish has been threatened with bombing on a muslim extremist Website. The site says that any true muslim should bomb the coptic church on Christmas eve.

Im scared. I want to celebrate the birth of the Lord, but what if these threats are legitimate?

Terrorism is essentially an act of intimidation. The terrorists can't kill everyone, but they can try to make everyone afraid.

If you allow the terrorists to make you so afraid that you do not go to celebrate the birth of the Lord, then they have won. They do not win by killing; they win by spreading fear.

It is your choice whether you want to take this chance or not. But be aware, if you go and you are killed, you become a Christian martyr, as many tens of thousands have done before you. If you stay away, and others are killed, you will feel guilty. If you stay away and nothing happens, you will also feel guilty. There is no real reason for this guilt, but it will happen, because you are human. So you have the choice of fear or guilt; not particularly easy, either way.

I suggest you speak to your priest about this, if you can. He has no choice; he has to be there, even if he is the only one. Do you have the faith to stand alongside him, whatever happens? We often talk about carrying our cross, and following Christ. It would seem this calling has become real to you this year. This may seem a great injustice, and it is; terrorism is worse than vile. But in eternal terms this is also a very, very great blessing to you; your Christmas Eucharist will be united to the Passion for you as never before.

God be with you.

 

[Anhelyna]

Lankyknight

Be assured that He will look after you .

I'm sure the authorities have taken suitable precautions even if you don't know what they are.

Speak to your priest and have faith

 

[musicluvr83]

Lord, have mercy!

 

[Lukaris]

I do not want to know where you are in the world but I would believe the immigrant communities are in mostly safe areas. Keep yourself safe, "The LORD also will be a refuge for the oppressed, a refuge in times of trouble' (Psalm 9:9)."The heathen are sunk down in the pit that they made: in the net which they hid is their own foot taken." (Psalm 9:15). Lord, have mercy and blessed Nativity.

 

[JohntheTheologian]

I will pray for you. There's a coptic cathedral here, but I don't think they're in any danger. I imagine it's very hard for them knowing they're safe, while their brothers and sisters back home are suffering so much persecution. Lord have mercy on the Church of Egypt!

 

[Thekla]

Lord have mercy +

 

[Yeznik]

Lord Jesus Christ have mercy on your servants.

 

[jckstraw72]

Lord have mercy!

 

[semper_virens]

Matthew 10:28 Do not be afraid of those who kill the body but cannot kill the soul. Rather, be afraid of the One who can destroy both soul and body in hell.

 

[Andrew21091]

The river of blood that our martyrs gush forth will strengthen the Church. May God have mercy upon us all and send his blessings! May the Theotokos watch over us all and pray for us!

 

[Antony in Tx]

Lord have Mercy!

 

[ArmyMatt]

Lord have mercy!

 

[Protoevangel]

Lord have mercy!

 

[Etsi]

 

[Andrew Ryan]

This is very troubling to hear, God be with you mate, I will be praying for you and everyone. I'm not sure what advice I could give you, on the one hand I would want to say, do not be intimidated by these "people," but on the other hand, what use will you be in the Lord's cause if you are dead? Surely you can celebrate the birth of our Lord wherever you are. I hope everything will be alright for you and your parish. May the Lord have mercy.

 

[Christos Anesti]

Lord have mercy. We don't know real persecution here in the US like our Coptic brothers in Egypt and our Assyrian brothers in Iraq. I can't say I know what it's like but I'm sure its a painful reality. I will pray for you. Pray for us.

 

[Dorothea]