In every generation, evil has a name. In this generation one of those names is “the Taliban.” Sadly, at this time of year, as Christians prepare to celebrate the birth of our Lord Jesus, we also remember that evil was alive in our Lord’s own day as Herod showed comparable cruelty to the innocent children of Bethlehem over 2000 years ago. (Matthew 2)
Bishop Humphrey Peters from the Anglican Diocese of Peshawar joined our bishops when the College met last January, and during that time he shared with us the challenges that the people of his city and diocese are facing.
I ask you to remember the people of Peshawar in your prayers this week. Please pray that the darkness of this tragedy would help the hope that we have in the birth and promise of our Lord Jesus shine all the more brightly.
The Collect for the Slaughter of the Innocents:
Heavenly Father,
whose children suffered at the hands of Herod,
though they had done no wrong:
by the suffering of your Son
and by the innocence of our lives
frustrate all evil designs
and establish your reign of justice and peace;
through Jesus Christ your Son our Lord,
who is alive and reigns with you,
in the unity of the Holy Spirit,
one God, now and for ever. AMEN.
