We pray for peace in the whole world: not only regarding wars which are cruel to humanity and also to the environment, but also corruption and ambition for power which harm people. God, deliver us from temptations to violence and power.
Photo: ¡sa Steinarsd—ttir/Unsplash
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Pray for peace in Ethiopia, that the authorities may make decisions and take actions that will bring unity among the different highly polarized ethnic groups. Pray for the churches, that they will be strong and follow the Prince of Peace in their attitudes and actions as they face a lot of opposition. Pray for the leadership in the Seminary and the faculty and students, that a spirit of true Christian brotherhood and sisterhood might prevail and protect the unity that Christ gives. Pray for the students whose education has been disrupted due to violence in their home region, financial difficulties and psychological distress. Pray for those millions who are still suffering from famine in some parts, and for those who are seeking to help them in their desperate need.—MKC newsletter
Photo: Tigist Tesfaye
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Pray for migrants in Latin America. Some countries are both providing shelter to those who have fled and causing others to find new homes. Praise God for churches who are providing for the physical and spiritual needs of people on the move, even as they face their own challenges to have enough.
Photo: Canva
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Pray for parts of East Africa affected by heavy rains and mudslides. Earlier in December, some 80 people were reported to have died in Tanzania after mudslides carried large rocks and uprooted trees, reaching depths of up to 8 metres. In the village of Hanang, Tanzania, the church remains standing but nearly all the houses were destroyed. Mennonite churches in Kisumu and Migori, Kenya, suffered excess rains. Flooding in Kenya continued to worsen throughout December with many deaths reported in northern Kenya.
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Church attendance in Canada and the USA has shifted significantly since before the pandemic. Some people have changed congregations, others have stopped attending at all; some congregations have changed denominations; some congregations have grown, others shrunk: all need wisdom to discern the ways they are called to change to meet today’s challenges and the ways they are called to strengthen and renew convictions and practices.
Photo: Karla Braun
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The countries of the Sahel, particularly Mali, Niger and Burkina Faso, are in tension with ECOWAS. The risk of clashes still persists through threats from both sides.
—submitted by Siaka Traoré, MWC regional representative for Central West Africa
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Pray for the preparations to commemorate the 500th anniversary of Anabaptism in Zurich in 2025. May it be an opportunity of reflection to celebrate the movement’s strengths and repent of its failures while also seeking reconciliation with those who have been estranged.
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Pray for the spread of the Word of God. Some regions lack Scripture in their language or do not have ready access to copies of the Bible. Pray for resourcing provision.
Photo: Aaron Burden/Unsplash
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Pray for parts of East Africa affected by heavy rains and mudslides. Earlier in December, some 80 people were reported to have died in Tanzania after mudslides carried large rocks and uprooted trees, reaching depths of up to 8 metres. In the village of Hanang, Tanzania, the church remains standing but nearly all the houses were destroyed. Mennonite churches in Kisumu and Migori, Kenya, suffered excess rains. Flooding in Kenya continued to worsen throughout December with many deaths reported in northern Kenya.
Officials from MWC member church Kanisa la Menonite Tanzania visited the affected people in Hanang. Pictured (l-r) are a local diocese pastor; pastor Emmanuel Hagai, KMT General Secretary; Chris Rwanga Kateti, area bishop; bishop Nelson M. Kisare, KMT Moderator; local (government) leader.
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Praise God for the peace process in Colombia, especially for the recent Roundtable in which Mennonite theologian Fernando Enns participated as a representative of the World Council of Churches. May the peace process lead to a just and lasting peace so Colombians can live in safety and hope for the future.
Photo: Flavia Carpio/Unsplash
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“Let us pray for peace, because this war impoverishes us,” says Siaka Traoré, MWC regional representative for Central West Africa. In Burkina Faso, the government enlists young people to serve their country through the military, providing a dilemma for young Christians.
Photo: Virginia Lackinger/Unsplash
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Pray for the young leaders participating in YAMEN (Mennonite Central Committee and MWC’s joint exchange program). Several months into their program, the barrage of new experiences may become exhausting instead of exciting. Pray that they would cultivate friendships – in their placement location, back at home and with other program participants – to manage their homesickness. Pray that they would have the energy and curiosity to continue to make connections in their placement location: at church, in the neighbourhood and in their work.
Photo: Blessing service during Latin American YAMEN orientation in Guatemala/YAMEN
