The agony of the peoples of Haiti and Chile has been on our screens, in grim and painful reality. We have seen many lifting their hands in supplication, desperate for hope in place of despair.

Once again we search our hearts and minds for understanding of how the brokenness of creation echoes the fallen human condition with such anguish and destruction.

But then every day we bring you news of those who trust in God, and find that their faith has led them to the physical pain and emotional trauma that is the reality of persecution.

And as we walk with them in prayer through this period of Lent, we get closer to the Calvary of Good Friday that opens the door to the glory of Easter Sunday's empty tomb.

That road takes us to Gethsemane. This is where the Son of God, the Saviour of the world, looked so deeply into the well of suffering. "My soul is overwhelmed with sorrow to the point of death," he said. (Mark 14:34)

Our salvation is not a bypass around the crowded streets of human distress. It is an invitation to take up the cross – and walk with all who take up the cross – and discover the fellowship of His suffering.

In Gethsemane Jesus wrestled with the implications of His own obedience to the Father... and submitted to the will of God.

Our submission to God's will may not lead us into suffering. But it will lead us to walk with those who do. Because we belong together, part of the Body of Christ. One Body. One Spirit. One Lord.

Click here to discover how you can walk with them by using your voice to influence those with political power, to bring about positive change for our brothers and sisters in Christ.