Father, Son and Holy Spirit,
as we reflect on the beauty and diversity of planet earth
and all its beings that you have created to function in harmony with each other,
we are deeply saddened and repentant for the way in which we have behaved,
and the disasters we have contributed to with our irresponsible behaviour.

We have been disobedient to your calling to be good stewards.
As a society, and as your church, we are fearful and sad for what is happening all around us;
for the deep damage and pain we have caused,
especially to so many poor, vulnerable and helpless communities,
to future generations (our own children!),
and to diverse and wonderful creatures you care for.

We all cry out to you in sadness, fear, pain and sometimes anger.
We pray that our feelings of anxiety, despair and discouragement might be transformed into hope by the power of your Holy Spirit.
That as a church, we can wake up from our slumber,
and be motivated to work for change and restoration of your beloved creation.

Juliana Morillo, Creation Care Task Force

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Creator God, we come to You in the name of Jesus Christ, desiring Your redemptive kin-dom to come and Your will to be diligently done here on earth as it is in heaven. We pray that the Holy Spirit may empower believers to recapture the vision of what you saw when You said what You had created was very good. 

O God, raise us all to be compassionate witnesses to one another and the environment as we lift up the beloved community to walk in a new humility, meekness, and love.

O God, breathe on us once again, in Jesus’ name we pray.

Amen!

Sibonokuhle Sibanda, Creation Care Task Force

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Pray for Nepal which experienced floods and landslides from excess rainfall in June and July. Some 200 BIC families were affected. The country also saw a surge of coronavirus infections from the Delta variant. Most of the congregations in cities are unable to meet due to lockdown and few have had opportunity to be vaccinated. Pray that the church members of BIC Nepal would remain strong in their faith despite these challenges. Pray that the government may be able to provide vaccines to all the population quickly.

Cases of COVID-19 are surging in Indonesia after many people travelled and gathered in groups to celebrate the end of Ramadan. Jakarta and Central Java have been particularly affected. Entire households are being infected and many young people require hospitalization. Members of Mennonite congregations have been infected, so church services are fully online again. Many hospitals are at capacity; oxygen supplies for patients are also running low. Pray that this situation will not drag on causing economic and emotional depression. Pray for the government: may their hard work result in many vaccinations quickly, and may the community be disciplined in following health protocols to protect everyone.

The death toll has risen to the highest level in Burma’s Kalemyo, which is suffering from the third wave of covid.

Pray for Myanmar which is suffering a severe third wave of COVID-19 amid continuing political unrest after a government coup several months ago. A pastor reports 63 Christian pastors have died in Kalemyo including two from the small national Mennonite church. There is a severe oxygen shortage. “People are suffering because of the civil war and dying of COVID,” writes the pastor, whose name is withheld for safety reasons.

Photo: Empty oxygen tanks in Kalemyo, Myanmar

Farmer God who brings forth life from the earth,

We lift up to you the women and men whose livelihoods grow from the soil.

• For those unsettled by a changing climate;
• For those who wrestle when land stewardship and market realities clash; 
• For those who find joy in farming but have no land;
• For those who have land and skills but lack markets and successors.
• And for those who have no access to fresh, healthy food.

Christ who knelt in the dust,

We offer the broken places in our food system to your healing touch.

—Jennifer Halteman Schrock, a member of the Creation Care Task Force.

In the USA particularly, where racial injustice is a daily reality, may church members to engage in costly peacemaking, rooted in radical discipleship, seeking to dismantle systems of oppression anywhere we witness them.

We pray for healthy development of congregations, renewal where faith or togetherness has become encrusted, and good handling of conflicts where disputes have taken place.

Differences regarding COVID-19 compliance have caused disagreement between church members. Pray that the leaders of the church have wisdom to act wisely so the unity can be saved.

COVID-19 and the missed opportunities to meet in presence are changing congregations. Pray with us, that congregations will emerge stronger from these times

God delivers the needy when they call,
the poor and those who have no helper. . .
From oppression and violence he redeems their life;
and precious is their blood in his sight.
Psalm 72:12-14

God of compassion, have mercy on all who are in danger or who live in fear in Colombia.

Soften the hearts of government and military leaders, and turn them away from violence. Protect your people from physical or spiritual harm. Strengthen your church to follow the way of Jesus in these difficult days.

Give followers of the Lamb vision and courage to be ministers of reconciliation.

Lord, in your mercy, hear our prayer.

In the name of Jesus, Prince of Peace, amen.

J. Nelson Kraybill
President, Mennonite World Conference