Prayer for those held captive by ISIS

(Repost of a Facebook status by Rev. William Weedon - Worship Director, LCMS)

Let us pause to pray for those baptized brothers and sisters taken captive by ISIS this morning:

Kind Father, You are our only help in time of need. Remember in mercy these captive children of Yours. Give them grace to confess You boldly. If it is Your will, grant them release from their captivity and restoration to their homes. But if it is Your will that they share in the cup of suffering of our Lord Jesus Christ, strengthen them with Your Spirit and make them bold to confess His saving name.

Turn the hearts of their captors and all who hate and despise the name of Jesus and give them the gift of repentance that with us they may glorify Your unspeakable and lavish grace.

We pray these things in the name of Him Whose body bears the scars of violence, but whose love no hatred will ever be able to overcome, even Jesus Christ, our Lord and Savior, who lives and reigns with You and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and forever. Amen.