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:

• that international visas will be processed and arrive in a timely fashion, and for safe travel;
• for the Renewal event that will bring together people from various churches;
• for the hosting churches and their leaders;

for the Executive Committee, Commission leaders, regional representatives and staff as they meet together.

Let pray for peace and unity. Let us open our eyes to the needy people around them, and listen for God’s call to us to help provide for their needs. Let us pray for healing for those who are sick and in hospital, and listen to God’s call to visit them with love and encouragement. Let us pray for economies of our countries: may our leaders make wise decisions for the common good.

Lord, have mercy! Two earthquakes in a border region have resulted in more than 40,000 deaths in Türkiye 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

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

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

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

Lord, be with us in the seasons of the new year: 

As there are births and deaths; 

As we plant and harvest, 

As there is breaking down and building up; 

As we weep, laugh, mourn and dance, 

As there is gathering and releasing, tearing and mending, 

As there is peace and war; 

Lord, teach our hearts through repentance and love; 

Lord, guide our actions in courage, faith and grace; 

Lord, walk with us through your Holy Spirit and through the prayers and presence of each other. 

(Inspired by Ecclesiastes 3:1-8) 

Praise the Lord for Convención Evangélica Hermanos Menonitas Nivaclé in the Paraguayan Chaco that held an evangelistic event in October. May the seeds planted there take root and grow into faith in Christ and a life of discipleship.
—submitted by Leonardo Gomez, Convención Evangélica Hermanos Menonitas Nivaclé, Paraguay
Photo: Михаил Павленко/Unsplash

We pray for the MC Canada congregations and pastors who are recovering from the pandemic. Attendance at worship has decreased and many pastors are feeling tired and uncertain about the future, yet we have hope that God is doing a new thing in this time. While new ways of being the church are beginning to emerge, many still grieve what was. Pray that we may have the to humility admit our longings to God the courage to follow Jesus to the place where the church in Canada will be renewed.
—submitted by Doug Klassen, executive minister, Mennonite Church Canada
Photo: Sam Abhinav