Prayers of Gratitude and Intercession

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One thousand Christians from more than 20 villages in Narayanpur and Kondagaon districts of Chhattisgarh state have fled violent mobs who attacked people and church buildings. Several congregations of Mennonite Church in are located in these districts. Members of the MCI Executive Committee visited the region to bring food and relief supplies, to evaluate the situation and to stand with the new believers in solidarity. The situation is very critical. We request for special prayers for the victims of the violence and to intercede for the country as a whole so that citizens of all faiths will inherit 2023 in peace and harmony. 
—submitted by Vikal Rao, Mennonite Church India, Chhattisgarh 
Photo: Vikal Rao

06 January 2023

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) 

02 January 2023

Pray for peace and social harmony in the Ivory Coast. 
—submitted by Boressi Hermann Gnahore, Église des Frères Mennonites de Côte d’Ivoire
Photo: Windhi Arsari

02 January 2023

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

27 December 2022

We pray about the leadership challenges in the Indian churches. We also pray for new believers who are desiring to be baptized. May congregations take courageous steps to offer baptism.
—submitted by Vikal Rao, Mennonite Church India, Chhattisgarh
Photo: Karla Braun

19 December 2022

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

12 December 2022

We pray for the many suffering in the Middle East. We pray especially for safety and inspiring encounters for a Mennonite Central Committee learning tour to Lebanon.
Photo: Windhi Arsari

06 December 2022

We pray for the youth in Europe. It is difficult for them to find hope and a future under the threat of many crises. Some develop psychological illnesses, especially those affected by the horrors of war.
Photo: PerdianTumanan

22 November 2022

We pray for our brothers and sisters in South Korea after the tragic death of more than 100 young people in a crowd in Itaewon. May God equip Mennonite Church South Korea and Korean Anabaptist Centre to live out peace in a militarized country.
Photo: Alexandro Marthin

14 November 2022

While the world may continue to look for weapons to bring about peace and justice by force, we know that true and lasting peace can only be accomplished through unceasing prayers. As we look to Jesus Christ, the Prince of Peace, let us pray for hearts to be changed and for the weapons to be silenced. Throughout history, God has changed hopeless and dire situations in surprising ways, and God can do it once again. And let us also pray for healing and for reconciliation, and that Russia and Ukraine could live in peace as independent, sovereign nations.
—from the World Evangelical Alliance call for prayer for Ukraine
Photo: Justian Trisnandi

07 November 2022

Creator God,  
Thank you for the glory of trees in autumn.  
Red, orange, yellow: the changing leaves remind me to stop and to wonder at the everyday miracle of changing seasons.  
This fall beauty is giving me new eyes to pay attention to all the wonders you have made.  
The majesty of your creation is all around us.  
Today, I pray also for renewed eyes to see the glory of your image that is found in one another as we work together to respond to a changing climate.  
May we be able to see your transforming power as we listen to one another, pray with one another, and engage in actions together to care for your precious creation.  
Just as the changing season reflects another aspect of your glory, may we also find space to wonder and praise in our response, together.  
Amen 
—Anna Vogt (Canada), Creation Care Task Force  
Photo: Karla Braun

02 November 2022

The new government in Colombia has expressed the intention of initiating conversations with the various armed groups to bring an end to their armed action. It has also taken steps to normalize relations between Colombia and Venezuela. Pray that both initiatives will create conditions for a better life for people.
—submitted by Paul Stucky, MWC regional representative for Latin America – Andean region
Photo: Juan Francisco Novoa

31 October 2022

“Remember your leaders, those who spoke the word of God to you; consider the outcome of their way of life, and imitate their faith.” (Hebrews 13:7)  

Lord God, thank you for calling and equipping leaders to serve the church in humility and grace. May we support them with our prayers and through encouraging words and actions.   

#pastorappreciationmonth  

23 October 2022

Pray for infrastructure development for our congregations and capacity building of our prospective leaders in Uganda. Pray for ability to reach out to the unreached in our communities
—submitted by Simon Okoth, Mennonite Church Uganda
Photo: Henk Stenvers

21 October 2022

We pray for the Lord´s provision for the work of living out the good news. May God awaken us to his mission. May we have eyes, hearts and hands ready to receive new projects and new workers that God raises up.
Photo:Windhi Arsari

18 October 2022

We pray to be able to reach people locally in Paraguay and to support each other among churches and local conventions.
—submitted by Clemens Rahn, Asociación Hermanos Menonitas, Paraguay
Photo: Windhi Arsari

10 October 2022

Lord have mercy! God of love, show your grace to the children in Myanmar who are affected by war. Minister to their hearts and spirits so that the chill of fear and the root of bitterness will not take hold and poison their futures.
Jesus, bring conversion and repentance to the leaders and the soldiers of the civil war in Myanmar. May they see the suffering they are inflicting begin to re-evaluate their goals and strategies.
Spirit of God, walk alongside the church members who are displaced and suffering, and the pastors who are ministering among them. Assure them of your steadfastness.
Amen!
Photo supplied

03 October 2022

Pray for solidarity, fellowship and discernment as leaders of European churches prepare to gather in person at the end of October. Praise God for the ways Mennonite organizations have cooperated across barriers to respond to the war in Ukraine and refugee crisis in Europe. Pray for their continued hospitality to refugees in their regions.
—submitted by José Arrais, MWC regional representative for Europe
Photo: Henk Stenvers

15 September 2022

We thank you, God, for Assembly!
Thank you for the opportunity to gather in person despite many barriers to cross.
Thank you for the chance to invite participants from around the world to join through their screens at home.
Thank you for the hospitality of our Indonesian hosts and for the lessons of interfaith harmony they modelled.
Thank you for all the staff and volunteers whose generous and cheerful service enabled the event to happen.
Lord God, nurture the relationships that have been planted through this event. Grow fellowship between our churches to strengthen us as ministers of reconciliation and beacons of shalom.
Photo: Loyce Twongirwe

15 September 2022

Please pray for Disha, a YAMENer from India, who had a major stroke in July as she was about to complete her term in Cambodia. Disha’s condition is stable, and she has now been moved to a hospital in India, where she can continue her recovery and rehabilitation closer to the support of her family and church community. Please pray for her continued improvement and for her family and church community.

14 September 2022

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