There's stuff going on that breaks God's heart everyday. It also breaks our hearts. God asks us to do something, but often we feel paralyzed because problems are so big, or we live so far away.
But we can pray. On this page we'll update you with some weekly prayer stuff, things you can be praying for around the world and all sorts to do with Soul Action too.
7th May...
More on Zimbabwe...
Thank you for joining us to pray again this week, we want to keep praying for Zimbabwe as each day brings new evidence of the iron-fist brutality and intimidation that is stalking the country in the aftermath of the presidential election.
Take this chilling message sent to Tearfund about people who have been shot and tortured:
"The eight victims had not received medication by yesterday. They were hiding, fearing further torture. We have them now at a private house. Bullets still in. I have seen enough pain. I don’t mind death now. I will fight this system to the end"
Sanctuary
There are fears such reports may get worse after the presidential election result was declared in favour of opposition leader Morgan Tsvangirai. As he didn't win a big enough share of the vote, a run-off poll with Robert Mugabe is now on the cards, with all the risks of further intimidation.
The church, which is opening its doors to offer sanctuary to those being persecuted, has not been immune from the pain so far.
"Desperate and dangerous" is how one church leader in Manicaland describes the situation, reporting continuing violence, with victims "pouring" into the regional opposition Movement for Democratic Change (MDC) headquarters.
He describes going to a workshop attended by NGOs and coming under unwelcome attention from the security services. Phone call threats ensued and eventually he was arrested on suspicion of encouraging members of the opposition to revolt. He ended up being interrogated and it was only when he showed the security officers his workshop presentation that his innocence was accepted and he was finally released.
Suspicion
"These are the conditions we are now living in – fear, suspicion and uncertainty of whether we will ride out the storm", he said.
Yet he takes heart in the encouragement of fellow Christians and the church through which Tearfund works in Zimbabwe.
Internationally pressure is continuing to be exerted on Robert Mugabe’s regime, with the UN High Commissioner for Human Rights, Louise Arbour, calling for tolerance and respect in Zimbabwe.
Ms Arbour says there is an emerging pattern of political violence against supporters of the opposition MDC:
`If tolerance and respect for human rights continue their steep decline, the consequences will be grave for all Zimbabweans, and lead to further problems for neighbouring states,’ she said.
Please pray...
1) ...for the long-suffering people of Zimbabwe, that they may continue to show resilience and determination to seek justice in the face of a repressive regime.
2) ...that the church continues to act with courage and that it can help those who require shelter from persecution.
8th April:
Zimbabwe update...
This week we are continuing to pray for Zimbabwe in the aftermath of their elections. These are Tearfund’s latest prayer pointers:
These are nervous times for the people of Zimbabwe in the aftermath of their elections.
At the time of writing, President Robert Mugabe’s Zanu-PF party has lost its majority in parliament but the result of the presidential poll still remains unclear. Many observers believe there is likely to be a run-off between the president and opposition leader Morgan Tsvangirai. This means voters will go back to the polls in a few weeks time.
`It’s been really tense and there’s a sense of frustration,’ said Tearfund’s Karyn Beattie, who has been in regular communication with Zimbabwean contacts.
Violence
If there’s a run-off, it’ll mean another three weeks of tension because people won’t know what’s happening and there’s increased potential for intimidation and violence.
Tearfund partner, the Zimbabwe Christian Alliance, deployed staff to monitor the elections and to gather any information about voting irregularities.
It’s tiring and potentially risky work and they need your prayers for strength and protection.
1) Pray for continued calm despite the heightened atmosphere in Zimbabwe.
2) Pray too for peaceful change according to God’s will and timing.
1st April:
Zimbabwe elections....
Following Zimbabwe’s elections this weekend the results are slow to be announced. We want ot continue to pray for Zimbabwe this week over this election season:
Tearfund's Karyn Beattie said, `We might feel powerless to act. But we can pray. And that is more valuable than any action we could take.'
1) Please pray for leaders with integrity to emerge who are concerned for the people.
2) Pray that the language of the election will not be inflammatory.
3) Pray for Tearfund's partner, the Zimbabwe Christian Alliance, and that it can remain a voice of hope as it continues to speak out against injustice.
4) Pray that the elections do not disrupt emergency food programmes or work with people living with HIV.
5) Pray that the people of Zimbabwe maintain their dignity, resilience and restraint
18th March:
Slum Survivor/Zimbabwe...
We’re so grateful for all the money that came in from slum survivor an as you know a big chunk of that will go to help a project distributing food to orphans in Zimbabwe. This week we want to invite you to join us in praying for Zimbabwe as they face electons on 29th March.
Zimbabwe has the highest number of orphans per capita in the world. Life expectancy has fallen to just 34 for women and 37 for men. In spite of it’s potential, Zimbabwe has the fastest shrinking economy in the world. With their country in chaos they stand to vote on 29th March.
Pray for:
The people:
That food distributions will not be interrupted.
For safety and protection against violence
For hope
The church:
“that our lives would reflect the glory of God, not just through Sunday church attendance…”
a pastor in Zimbabwe
Thanks for praying
13th March...
Kenya update...
A few weeks ago we invited you to join us on praying for the situation in Kenya. As you have probably heard Kofi Anan brokered a peace deal to end two months of fighting. Here is what Tearfund have to say and a few hints to help us keep praying:
‘I would urge all of you to remain engaged. Each and every one of you has a role to play.’
That was the simple message from Kofi Annan to the people of Kenya after he successfully brokered a political deal to bring peace to the country which has been wracked by two months of civil infighting.
After weeks of Herculean diplomatic efforts by the former UN Secretary General, a power-sharing arrangement was finally agreed between the two main protagonists.
Opposition leader Raila Odinga will take up a new post of executive prime minister, while Mwai Kibaki will remain as president of the new coalition government.
With more than 1,000 people dead since the election-rigging dispute started, this deal represents a major step back from the brink of civil war.
But the road to recovery will be a long one as evidenced earlier this week when 12 people died in clashes over land.
Apprehensive
And with 300,000 people having fled their homes due to fears of ethnic violence, questions remain about whether they will feel able to return home to live with their once peaceful neighbours.
That will be the ongoing challenge for aid agencies like Tearfund and our partners in Kenya, some of whom have been working among the traumatised in camps set up for displaced civilians.
Tearfund’s Desk Officer for Kenya, Gladys Wathanga, said of the political settlement: ‘The peace deal is very good news, but the road to recovery is long.
`Many people in the camps are apprehensive about how to live alongside neighbours who burned their house, killed their child or husband and have taken all their possessions. This is the experience of even those in the same church fellowships.’
1) Please give thanks for the success of peace talks and pray that the plans for peace take root.
2) Pray that all Kenyans will play their part in forging reconciliation so that Kenya is able to rebuild its reputation as a stable and successful nation within Africa.
3) Pray also for the ongoing work of Tearfund partners among displaced people.
4th March
Fairtrade Fortnight
It’s week two of fair-trade fortnight and this week we’re going to join together and pray for the people whose invisible finger prints are all over our clothing:
Get a bit creative and maybe gather together a gang of mates, get a world map and cut out the labels on the clothes you are wearing and stick the labels on the countries they are made in and then:
Pray for garment workers. Thank God for the people who make your clothes. Ask him to protect them, provide for their personal and family needs, and transform their circumstances.
Pray for clothing companies: Pray that the directors of large companies would respond to calls for them to take responsibility for ensuring their workers are paid a wage they can live on and that they work in safe conditions. Pray that they would put people before profits.
Pray for retailers: Pray that UK retailers would join the Ethical Trading Initiative (ETI), and commit to:
o No forced labour
o Paying workers a living wage
o Working hours which are not excessive
o Safe working conditions
o Workers can join trade unions
Pray for governments: Pray that governments, and particularly the UK government, would take responsibility for the problems facing workers, and introduce laws which prevent multinational companies from exploiting developing countries. Pray that the World Trade Organisation (WTO) would encourage good standards of practice from all member states, whether producers, manufacturers or consumers in the garment industry.
Pray for Christians: Ask Jesus to change our hearts as consumers. Ask for hearts of flesh rather than hearts of stone, so that when we shop we remember the workers that have made the clothes we buy, and that we speak up on behalf of them and challenge the status quo.
28th February
Prayer Breakfast
We find ourselves in fairtrade fortnight (25th Feb – 10th March 2008) and all over your papers and in your shops you’ll see stuff about how to shop to make a difference to the people who produce our food and fashion. Much of our food and clothes travel further than we ever have and has been made by people who don’t get treated fairly and paid enough to afford the basics. To find out more and read some stories check out:
http://youth.tearfund.org/lift+the+label
When you sit down to eat your brekkie one morning this week, find out where your juice, jam, coffee etc has come from and spend a bit of time praying for the people who produce our food. Heres a wee prayer you can pray if you are in need of a little inspiration..
"Father God, you taught us to pray, 'Give us today our daily bread' and today we want to thank you that you have answered this prayer by faithfully providing food for us each and every day.
We want to say that we recognise that many of our fellow human beings are part of that provision. Our cupboards and fridges are stocked with the fruit of people’s labour right across the world. We thank you for the effort that has been invested in sowing, tending, and reaping and give thanks for each person whose hard work has brought food to our table.
But, we also recognise that, for many who work to provide our food, their lives are marred by injustice, oppression and suffering. We are sorry for the times we have contributed to that suffering because we have not cared about the producer when buying our food.
You are the God of justice who rises to show compassion. We ask that you will uphold the cause of those who work long hours for little or no reward; who are exploited; who cannot afford to buy the food that we eat. Please bless them. Please also continue to bless those who are benefiting from the Fairtrade market.
Please move us with your Spirit of justice, so that we use our opportunities to speak up on their behalf."
19th February 08
Pakistan
Pakistan goes to the polls on Monday in the first test of public opinion since the assassination of Benazir Bhutto.
Her death on 27 December saw the world hold its breath as dozens died in the emotionally charged backlash. Parliamentary elections were rescheduled for 18 February as a result.
It was an incendiary incident for a country already feeling the tension of a recent state of emergency.
Although Benazir Bhutto’s death hasn’t - as some feared -seen Pakistan implode, the killing has sent shock waves through the country.
Fear for the future is a legacy of the Bhutto assassination, with people more anxious about Pakistan’s longer-term prospects.
One of Tearfund’s partners in Pakistan, who we cannot name for security reasons, said,
`We pray that next week's national elections will be peaceful and for government that is acceptable to most people.
`Sporadic suicide bomb attacks aimed at military, police and politicians continue, as do military operations to contain those attacks.
`These are uncertain days for Christians as they feel very vulnerable in the present climate. Pray for unity.’
There are about 5 million Christians among the country’s 160 million population.
Life in this Islamic country has never been easy for them. The church is marginalised and Christians face many challenges, including discrimination.
1) Please pray that the elections go ahead without being marred by violence and for greater stability for this troubled nation.
2) Pray that leaders emerge who are dedicated to the needs of the whole country, including the minority Christian population.
3) Pray that the Christian community has strength of purpose to overcome challenges in its way and to be effective and united in its witness to the rest of Pakistan.
14th February 08
Kenya
Kenya’s civil conflict reached another macabre milestone this week with the death toll hitting 1,000.
The number of people displaced by the fighting is now 300,000, reckons the Red Cross. The two politicians at the heart of the post-election dispute, President Mwai Kibaki and opposition leader Raila Odinga, are still in talks to resolve the crisis, urged on by former UN Secretary General Kofi Annan.
1) Pray that the two key politicians will demonstrate wisdom and a commitment to peace
2) Pray for those who have lost loved ones
3) Pray for those who have been displaced by the fighting and have lost homes and livelihoods |