“The Lord is not slow about his promise, as some think of slowness, but is patient with you, not wanting any to perish, but all to come to repentance.” (2 Peter 3:9) Lord, thank you for your patience with us. May we live out our repentence. As we receive your grace, may our lives may call others to come to you.
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“What good is it, my brothers and sisters, if you say you have faith but do not have works? Can faith save you?” (James 2:14). With these words, Iglesia Cristiana Menonita De Colombia speaks out against the killing of hundreds of farmers, social leaders, indigenous people, demobilized paramilitaries, and their families. They call the church to practice nonviolence as a way of life; incorporate themes of justice, reconciliation and peace in our teaching, preaching and singing; accompany those who are victims of violence; invite those who commit violence to accept the gospel’s call to repentance and a transformed life; practice solidarity. May we hear their call; may God strengthen us for the long work of seeking justice and building peace.
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Meserete Kristos Church (MKC) is in the process of discerning God’s directions for the coming five years: please pray for us to complete our five-year strategic plan preparation. The situation in the northern region of Ethiopia is in a better condition than one month ago. The MKC members and the community in those areas need trauma healing. There is also a request for peacebuilding training. Pray for us to get resources to do so. Humanitarian organizations are helping the people with basic needs. MKC Relief and Development Association is looking for resources to assist people in communities where MKC churches serve.
—submitted by Desalegn Abebe Ejo
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Praise God for young people with their energy and desire to learn. May they seek out wise mentors who encourage them to adapt to new ways. May they find opportunities to use their skills in service of the world. May the church welcome young people to grow in leadership and explore new ways of being faithful.
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Praise God for the technologies that keep us connected while restrictions keep us apart. May the Spirit give us wisdom to follow Jesus faithfully wherever we are.
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Pray that our local congregations find ways to model the love of Christ in their communities which struggle with illness and death due to the pandemic, while at the same time learning how to bridge the political and racial divisions which also exist. Pray that the spirit of unity would bring healing and resilience.
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We thank you, God, for sending Jesus, our light. We rejoice that “the people who sat in darkness have seen a great light” (Matthew 4:16, NRSV). May the Holy Spirit continue to guide our way.
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Pray for the upcoming Assembly in Indonesia. Pray for the planners as they adjust to a new gathering date and create protocols for a safe and enjoyable event that welcomes thousands of people to Semarang. Pray that the Spirit will be at work in the hearts and minds of all participants bringing unity in the Spirit.
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Pray for the 23 member and associate member churches in Asia (Hong Kong, India, Indonesia, Japan, Myanmar, Nepal, Philippines, South Korea, Taiwan, Thailand and Vietnam). Christianity is a minority in many of these countries. Pray that MWC member churches who are suffering persecution and hardship may have courage and hope to persevere.
Praise God for the Asian churches: members of the Body of Christ. May they always be united and connected to us and to each other through the bonds of the love of Jesus and the fellowship of the Holy Spirit. May they care for one another, accept one another and equip one another to witness to God’s glory in this world.
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- Give thanks that Anabaptists around the world are united in faith in God’s kingdom across language and cultural differences.
- Give thanks for the growing networks in the MWC family: mission, service, health, peace and education.
- Pray for sisters and brothers everywhere who are struggling with weakness due to illness, violence, disaster or injustice. May we embrace them. May God’s power change everything for us all.
- Pray for MWC General Secretary César Garc”a, and MWC Asian Representatives Agus Mayanto (Southeast Asia), Cynthia Peacock (South Asia) and Jeremiah Choi (Northeast Asia), as they lead and minister to the churches in Asia and around the world.
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“At present, our hope is in God alone.” Leaders of MWC national member church Meserete Kristos Church in Ethiopia call the global Anabaptist family to pray with them. “We need peace to continue bringing the good news of Jesus Christ.” MKC has four congregations and almost two dozen church planting centres in the Tigray region where the federal and regional government have been in armed conflict for two weeks. Reports of 10,000-25,000 people have fled to neighbouring Sudan and Eritrea. Join MKC in fasting and prayer for peace, individually and collectively.
“May the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace in believing, so that you may abound in hope by the power of the Holy Spirit.” (Romans 15:13)
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Death has touched families and churches. Health care workers are worn out. The lack of personal contact and the loss of income due to the significant risk of contagion cause significant stress and misery in Anabaptist churches. Those who are not able to connect online – due to lack of knowledge or lack of tools – are extra isolated. “The Lord is near to the broken-hearted and saves the crushed in spirit,” (Psalm 34:18).
