We pray about the political and economic changes in the Southern Cone of the Americas and the resulting social instability (especially in Bolivia and Peru). May the Anabaptist communities, churches and institutions be a light; may they promote dialogue, denounce injustice and respond to so much need.
—submitted by Ada”a Bernal Collazo, Iglesia Menonita de Teusaquillo, Bogot·, Colombia
Churches in the Vancouver/Abbotsford region of British Columbia, Canada will be hosting the MWC Renewal event (25 March), and many local congregations will be welcoming international MWC guests to their worship services (26 March). MWC Executive Committee (27-29 March), Commission leaders, Regional Representatives and staff will be gathering the following week for their annual meetings.
Please pray:
for the Executive Committee, Commission leaders, regional representatives and staff as they meet together.
Lord, have mercy! Two earthquakes in a border region have resulted in more than 40,000 deaths in T¸rkiye and Syria. In a season of rain, snow and cold temperatures, many people lack shelter; buildings and roads were destroyed or damaged, delaying aid. Pray for people who have lost loved ones and are affected by fear and trauma from the quakes and their aftermath. Global Mission Fellowship (GMF) member Multiply has relationships with churches in the region. Pray for discernment in responding. Pray that the hope and peace of Christ would permeate all their efforts.
Photo: Collapsed buildings following the Feb. 6 earthquakes in Aleppo, Syria. ” Franciscan Church in Aleppo/MCC
Praise God for the persistent efforts of Mennonite pastors in Ukraine. They bring hope to people in hopeless situation, showing the love of Christ. Recently, church buildings in occupied areas have been taken over by Russian forces. Church activities, including outreach to children and senior citizens, have lost their home. Pray that the Spirit of God would continue to strengthen Ukrainian brothers and sisters with hope in this time of suffering.
Photo: Charitable Foundation Uman Help Center, a Mennonite Central Committee partner, provides food and basic supplies for people fleeing the war in Ukraine. ” UMAN/MCC
Thank God for the opportunity of Christian education to shape character and form a people of God.
In some parts of the globe, school is well underway. In other parts, the school year is just beginning. Pray for receptive and eager students. May they be able to cross barriers to learning. Pray for wise and humble teachers and administrators. May their pursuit of knowledge honour God. May they be responsive to the needs of their students.
Pray for GAEN – the Global Anabaptist Education Network, both Primary and Secondary, and Higher Education. As they prepare for their first in-person meetings in June, may they find vision and means to work together and support each other.
Photo: Marive Catignas
Pray for the internally displaced in Burkina Faso: we estimate that there are almost two million internally displaced persons. The majority of displaced persons are Muslims. After some social assistance, the Mennonite Church has organized training for soap-making to benefit internally displaced women and is sharing the good news of reconciliation between God and people. Pray especially for these women and the thousands of children that need to be fed.
—submitted by Siaka Traoré, MWC regional representative for Central West Africa
Photo: Tiz Brotosudarmo
We keep praying for our brothers and sisters in Ukraine. As the Russian attacks on the Ukrainian energy infrastructure continue, the lack of power becomes life threatening in winter.
Pastors continue their relief work and often travel to the war-ravaged cities to aid suffering people even as missile attacks continue.
The church in Molochansk asks for help and prayer for the elderly. For many years, they cared for seniors in a church building converted to a nursing home. This nursing home has been confiscated by the Russian army and the residents evicted. The church cares for them in private homes now, but nursing is difficult and very expensive under war circumstances.
Pray for those who serve as chaplains in the army. They serve in an environment where hate of the enemy is cultivated, where enemy soldiers are dehumanized. May they find the courage, strength and wisdom to resist these forces of hate and dehumanization. May they bring healing to the many traumatized by this war.
Photo: UMAN/MCC
Prayer for Anabaptist-Mennonites around the world
Creator God,
Forgive us our sins, for you are the one who gives. You have never committed injustice. We want peace in the name of Jesus Christ, the Savior. You know all of the problems that cross our borders, families, country and congregation. Strengthen us with your liberating blood. It is not through our own strength that we can do everything, but it is through your will that we will vanquish evil with good. In Jesus Christ we are more than conquerors.
—submitted by Jean Mukula Kasenu, Communtaute des Eglises Frères Mennonites au Congo
Photo: Christen Kong
ï Pray for peaceful solutions to those experiencing violent conflict, especially in eastern Congo and Burkina Faso.
ï Pray for the many people in Africa who are experiencing hunger and drought, due to the impacts of climate change and the war in Ukraine
—Anabaptist World Fellowship Sunday 2023
Photo: Siaka Traore
Pray for Malawi where a growing cholera outbreak has spread throughout the country, causing more than 500 deaths since March. It is projected to worsen with the coming rainy season. People still displaced by a January 2022 tropical storm and March 2022 cyclone lack access to safe water, sanitation and hygiene to prevent infection. Pray for MWC national member churches Brethren in Christ Church and Mennonite Brethren Church in Malawi as they work to treat and prevent disease.
Photo: Henk Stenvers
One thousand Christians from more than 20 villages in Narayanpur and Kondagaon districts of Chhattisgarh state have fled violent mobs who attacked people and church buildings. Several congregations of Mennonite Church in are located in these districts. Members of the MCI Executive Committee visited the region to bring food and relief supplies, to evaluate the situation and to stand with the new believers in solidarity. The situation is very critical. We request for special prayers for the victims of the violence and to intercede for the country as a whole so that citizens of all faiths will inherit 2023 in peace and harmony.
—submitted by Vikal Rao, Mennonite Church India, Chhattisgarh
Photo: Vikal Rao
Pray for peace and social harmony in the Ivory Coast.
—submitted by Boressi Hermann Gnahore, …glise des Frères Mennonites de CÙte d‘Ivoire
Photo: Windhi Arsari
