Martyrs 1

This evening I have been reading a little book: “Beyond Belief – What the Martyrs Said to God,” by Duane Arnold and Robert Hudson. (2002)

I want to give you a little taste of these powerful thoughts. These are the prayers and writings of those facing death because of the faith in Christ. Take note of the grace that comes from these remarkable lives.

Ignatius of Antioch (died late first to early second century)

After his arrest during a persecution of Christians in Antioch, a town in Syria, Ignatius, the local Bishop, was taken to Rome for execution. On the long journey he wrote many letters to churches in Asia Minor in which he reflected on the nature of the Christian life and on the certainty of his own martyrdom. Most likely he was killed, as were many other Christians, by wild beasts in the Roman arena during the time of Emperor Trajan.

Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ.

Who of His great and abundant goodness

willed that I should be a partaker of the sufferings of His Christ

and a true and faithful witness of His divinity.

I know what must be done…

May nothing of powers visible or invisible prevent me,

that I may attain Jesus Christ.

I am God’s wheat.

May I be ground by the teeth of the wild beasts,

until I become the fine white bread

that belongs to Christ.

...to be continued