Persecution

Palm Sunday church bombings in Egypt kill 43, wound dozens - AP
The AP reports: "Bombs exploded at two Coptic churches in different cities in northern Egypt as worshippers were celebrating Palm Sunday, killing at least 43 people and wounding about 100 in an assault claimed by the Islamic State group. The blasts came at the start of Holy Week leading up to Easter, and just weeks before Pope Francis is due to visit the Arab world's most populous country, which has been beset by extremist violence against its minority Christians. [...] IS claimed the attacks via its Aamaq news agency, after having recently warned that it would step up violence against Egypt's Christians. [...] Egypt's Copts are one of the oldest Christian communities in the Middle East. They have long complained of discrimination and that the government does not do enough to protect them."

Comment: Please join me in praying for the church in Egypt, that they will be comforted in their grief and that they will remain steadfast in their faith so as to demonstrate grace and forgiveness that shows the love of Christ to their grieving country. Let us also pray for their safety and for their fearless defense of the Gospel in a country where our Lord lived as an infant.