Pray for Mennonite young people in Myanmar. The stresses of living under a violent military dictatorship cause despair and some wish to join armed resistance. Praise God for a recent youth conference where they could be encouraged and learn about peace. Pray for the church members who continue to suffer violence in the ongoing civil war. Some experience shortages of daily food and displacement from their homes.
—submitted by Amos Chin, Myanmar
Photo: Sam Abhinav
Prayers of Gratitude and Intercession
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In Burkina Faso, the security situation continues to deteriorate and the number of people killed and displaced is increasing. In this context, the government is asking the entire nation to contribute to the war effort through individual, collective, civil and religious mobilization. The Federation of Evangelical Churches and Missions (FEME) has asked its members (including the Evangelical Mennonite Church of Burkina Faso, EEMBF) to contribute to the war effort by setting an amount for each church.
EEMBF president Calixte Bananzaro and Pastor Siaka Traoré (also of the EEMBF, and at the same time MWC's representative for Central/West Africa) are planning a meeting with the president of the FEME to explain the non-violent position of Mennonites which conflicts with this request. They ask for the prayerful support of the global church in these steps. May God prepare this meeting, and give wisdom and discernment to all in the discussion.
— submitted by Anicka Fast, Secretary of MWC Faith and Life Commission, in consultation with Calixte Bananzaro and Siaka Traoré
Photo: Siaka Traoré and Calixte Bananzaro will represent the peace stance of Burkina Faso’s Mennonites in response to new military taxation. Photos provided.
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Pray for our broken world, especially regarding deaths happening at gunpoint in the USA without justice.
—submitted by Ruth Anne Friesen
Photo: Kristina Toews
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God of mercy, Jesus our brother, Spirit our comforter,
Grant to these brothers and sisters faith through daily hardships,
hope amid challenges and dangers, peace despite violence,
and encouragement to persist in faithfulness from the solidarity of the global family.
We pray for all people of faith in this region who are persecuted for their beliefs.
We thank you, God, for the servants you have and are equipping as ministers of the gospel.
May you multiply the seeds for sowing and increase the harvest (2 Corinthians 9:10).
Kyrie eleison, Lord, in your mercy, hear our prayer!
In the name of Jesus, our peace,
Pastoral letter regarding persecuted Anabaptist-Mennonites |
Praise God for health care workers who walk alongside people in our moments of life and death, and of struggles and joys. Let us give thanks for the inquisitive minds, skills hands and healing hearts of health care workers. Pray for the upcoming meetings of the Global Anabaptist Health Network in June 2023. May the time together be restorative for these servants whose vocation carried an especially heavy load during the pandemic.
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Pray for the newly formed coalition government and for political stability in Nepal. Pray for the protection of children, old and weak people from climatic.
—submitted by Ganesh Kumar Shah, Nepal
Photo: Wilhelm Unger
Anabaptist Mennonite churches around the world live out their faith by serving. Praise God for those who are the hands and feet of Christ, announcing good news, bringing aid and carrying comfort in difficult times. Pray for the June 2023 meetings of GASN* and GMF*. May those who travel have smooth journeys. May those who attend find encouragement and resources for their work. May the network be strengthened in order to serve together and to give support to each other.
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Let pray for the peace and unity in our nation, also let's pray for the older people and orphans, that God would provide their basic needs at this moment of economic hardship. We pray that God can provide with our finances for church projects. We pray for the faith development of children and young adults.
—submitted by Meshack Mutua, Kenya
Photo: Kristina Toews
The Global Anabaptist Peace Network is preparing for face-to-face meetings in conjunction with the Global Mennonite Peacebuilding Festival (GMP III) in Harrisonburg, Virginia, USA, in June. Praise God for this opportunity to learn from peacebuilders from around the world. Pray for encouragement and renewed energy for the work. Pray for a fast and generous visa process and for safe travels.
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We ask for prayers for our nation, Cuba. The people are suffering due to extreme scarcity of food, medicines, medical supplies, hygiene items, etc. Prices have soared as much as 150 percent. Many people are trying to emigrate. Only God can perform a miracle.
—submitted by Beatriz Mendez, Cuba
Photo: Alexandro Marthin
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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.
Photo: Rhoda Shirk
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.
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 Adaía Bernal Collazo, Iglesia Menonita de Teusaquillo, Bogotá, Colombia
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.
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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
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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
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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
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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
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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
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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
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