Pray that MWC member churches would be open to the moving of the Holy Spirit. May our churches experience individual and corporate renewal. May our hearts turn away from the allure of individualism, toward the call of God to act interdependently as God’s shalom builders in our communities.
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Dear Lord, as we enter this new year, steady our hearts to spread the gospel of peace. May we follow your Spirit as we work for transformation and justice in this world. Lord, give us courage to proclaim this message in word and action, especially in places where there is corruption, persecution and natural disasters. Thank you for Jesus‘ peacemaking example.
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Pray for the many MWC meetings in Indonesia in July 2022 – the member church delegates at the General Council, Commissions, MWC networks (mission, service, peace, education, health), and the global Assembly itself. Pray for health and safety of all participants. Pray that the Spirit will move in the midst of the gatherings, uniting and strengthening the body.
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Pray for Brazil where the political situation is not good; radicalism, churches getting involved in politics that bring lots of conflicts, environment problems and inflation.
—Hans Gerhard Peters, AlianÁa Evangélica Menonita, Brazil
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Youth in Zambia struggle to find employment and many families do not have enough food, says Kaumba Samwangala, from Choma, Zambia. Pray that God’s hand may supply the needs through local church and government.
—Kaumba Samwangala, Batoka Primary School (BIC), Zambia
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“When you did awesome deeds that we did not expect, you came down, the mountains quaked at your presence. From ages past no one has heard, no ear has perceived, no eye has seen any God besides you, who works for those who wait for him.— (Isaiah 64:3-5)
Lord, we confess that we have sinned. Thank you for drawing near to us by sending the Messiah to save us and reveal your power. As we celebrate the hope of Christmas, teach us your self-emptying ways.
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Cases of COVID-19 are increasing in Bolivia, Paraguay and Urugay after a period of very low cases. This causes panic in people even in the church. We pray that God will strength us to continue to reach out to people with the gospel. In December and January, congregations in Bolivia are planning to organize several vacation Bible schools; please pray for the leaders, the children who will participate and for their families.
—Freddy Barron, regional representative, Latin America, Cono Sur
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Many congregations in Uganda meet under the trees or sit on dusty floors, says Simon Onyango Okoth, bishop of Uganda Mennonite Church. Praise God for the grateful, pioneering spirit of these church members. Pray for leadership development to lead to sustainability.
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Praise God for the cresting of the latest wave of infection in Indonesia. Pray that the number of COVID-19 cases in Indonesia and the world will continue to decrease significantly, so that MWC General Assembly 17 in Indonesia can still be attended by Anabaptist sisters and brothers from all over the world. Pray for wisdom for the committee taking the decision to set a proper alternative model for the MWC General Assembly 17.
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Pray for Anabaptist-Mennonites in British Columbia, Canada. After a summer of record high temperatures and wild fires, the province has been deluged with tremendous rainfall, causing flooding that has washed out major highways that link the Port of Vancouver to the rest of Canada, and flooding a region populated by many Mennonite and Mennonite Brethren church members. Thousands of homes and farms have been destroyed.
“As Canadians, we are used to a stable environment, but these floods are reminding us to look to the Lord and not take things for granted. It’s an opportunity to show the love of Christ in action, helping out our neighbours.
“Pray that we will learn the lessons the Lord is wanting to teach us in this moment: That we will look to God in humility and trust and remember that although creation is “groaning” it remains under His control and still declares His glory and goodness.” —Rob Thiessen, British Columbia Mennonite Brethren conference minister
“I pray that the waters will hold back, that the rivers will flow without more destruction to homes and farms and barns and life. But, even so, if it does cause more destruction. We will stand together and serve one another. Community leaders, churches, businesses and everyone in between.——Darnell Barkman, pastor at Yarrow United Mennonite Church, B.C., Canada, and vice moderator of Mennonite Church BC.
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Pray for a good rain in Malawi and that vulnerable people should be able to buy fertilizer for their maize fields.
Pray that people will have food to eat during the growing season so that they will be able to take care of their fields.—Francis Kamoto, Mpingo Wa Abale Mwa Kristu (BIC) Malawi
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Thousands of people have fled Thantlang, Myanmar, and are hiding in the jungle. A Mennonite pastor writes:
My hometown, my dear Thantlang, which was so much fun is now as quiet as a graveyard. You have been burnt to the ground and your temples and houses have been destroyed. The sound of children playing was silenced and the church bells stopped ringing. You are the only town in the world where no human is.
I pray that God will take care of you and rebuild you a new life.
Read more:
Mennonites in Myanmar face desperate situation
