Loof God voor de ijver en de standvastigheid die onze broeders en zusters in Afrika tonen in het evangeliseren. Ondanks dat de economische uitdagingen, heftige gebeurtenissen in het klimaat en ziektes als malaria komen bovenop de dreiging van COVID-19, blijven zij God eren en hun buren dienen met de middelen die zij hebben, en delen zij het evangelie in woord en daad.

Ukraine (Association of Mennonite Brethren Churches in Ukraine – AMBCU): Pray for this emerging Mennonite Brethren conference. Pray for the churches meeting in groups of 10 due to quarantine restrictions, and for the small groups doing Bible studies and worship. The churches are also meeting on Zoom. Pray for those that are suffering from the virus. Though there are few cases in that area of Ukraine, people suffer economically and the churches are distributing food.

Pray for pastors who continue to serve their congregations where members have lost their jobs and are no long able to give financially. Praise God for provision from unexpected places despite hardship.

Praise God for the businesses that have been able to switch production lines to make personal protective equipment and hand sanitizer. Praise God for volunteers who have helped to sew masks and prepare food packages those people without an income.

Pray for families who are mourning lost loved ones. Pray for church leaders who need to find creative ways to provide meaningful rituals for mourners in a time of social distancing.

We are mindful of the many persons – doctors, nurses, family members, friends – who are caring for those who are suffering from COVID-19. We give thanks for their self-giving, and pray for their safety and on-going energy. May the Risen One be there at the bed side, in the hospital, along with them.

Planting and harvesting is disrupted by the global pandemic, and some farmers are eating their seed stock out of necessity. Pray for an equitable distribution of food in the months to come, and that wealthy countries would not look only to their own interests.

“For just as the body is one and has many members, and all the members of the body, though many, are one body, so it is with Christ” (1 Corinthians 12:12). May the Spirit show us how to continue to be one body despite our physical separation at this time. May we continue top put our trust in Jesus Christ our hope.

Starting 23 February 2020, India has gone through reprehensible violence that has resulted in 45 deaths. Vested political interests and forces of hate have driven rioting on the streets, homes and mosques of the national capital.

We urge the global church to uphold the people of Delhi in prayer for peace and harmony to prevail and for violence to cease. Pray for families who have lost loved ones. Pray for congregations in the Delhi national capital region to open their hearts and facilities for the afflicted and to come to the aid of the helpless and distraught.

Pray for the authorities to ensure the rule of law and the security of vulnerable people of Delhi also for political parties to discipline members who make inflammatory remarks.

—Vikal Rao, Mennonite Church India leader and MWC Deacons commission member

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.

Mennonite World Conference calls for Anabaptist and Mennonite congregations around the world to unite in prayer and to exercise precautionary measures in the church. Pray for people who are isolated, afraid or ill, especially in Wuhan, Hubei Province and mainland China. Pray for wisdom for Chinese government and health authorities working to contain the outbreak, and for courage, compassion and safety for healthcare workers who work tirelessly to save lives. Also pray for wisdom for all governments and health authorities working to prevent the spread of the virus. May they act with compassion and caution.