PRAY WITH WORLD CHURCH SPRING19 V2 - uspg.org.uk · THE PROPHETIC VOICE OF THE CHURCH ... good parenting will lead to positive changes in behaviour. Wednesday 27 Pray for parents
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PRAY WITH THE WORLD CHURCHPRAYERS AND REFLECTIONS FROM THE ANGLICAN COMMUNION
17 February – 15 June 2019
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Please note that the views expressed do not necessarily
represent the official position of USPG.
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USPG is the Anglican mission agency that
partners churches and communities worldwide
in God’s mission to enliven faith, strengthen
relationships, unlock potential, and champion
justice. Founded in 1701.
THE PROPHETIC VOICE OF THE CHURCHAs Christians we are called to speak up and to speak out. In short,
to be prophetic.
This prophetic voice arises in the heart of God and flows out into
all of Creation. It is most fully expressed in the life and teaching
of Jesus Christ, and it is through the Holy Spirit that we are
drawn deeper into the prophetic heart of God.
To be prophetic is to ‘tell forth’, which involves challenging
injustice and standing up for the poor, the widow, the orphan
and the alien. We know that the Old Testament prophets
were often unpopular because they challenged the people to
remember justice and mercy and walk humbly with God.
The prophetic voice calls us to change for the better – to change
our attitudes, our lifestyle, even our beliefs.
Today, many prophets can be found throughout the world church.
These voices are challenging because they alert us to issues we
might want to ignore. But these voices cannot be silenced – they
call us to be like Jesus, who stood on the margins, comforting the
oppressed and challenging those who are comfortable.
The prophetic voice of the world church is the focus of our study
course this year and of the prayers and reflections within this
prayer diary. So let us open our ears and be open to change.
And may we be inspired to find our own prophetic voice.
The Revd Duncan Dormor, General Secretary, USPG
17 – 23 FEBRUARY
GHANAThis article is based on a report prepared by the Anglican Church
of Ghana on its Integrated Health Intervention Project (IHIP).
This programme aims to reduce the instances of
communicable diseases such as malaria, pneumonia and
diarrhoea in Ghana. It is run by the Anglican Church of Ghana
in the Diocese of Cape Coast and the Diocese of Sunyani
using an integrated community-based approach. In Cape
Coast the health team works across the community in schools,
churches, child welfare clinics and door-to-door to implement
the programme.
Last year the health teams visited schools to educate the
pupils on ways to help prevent malaria and diarrhoea. When
they returned this year they were pleased to find that pupils
had gone home and told their parents what they had learned,
which they then put into practice.
As a result of the impact that the health teams are having
on the school children, head teachers organised to spend
time directly with the parents themselves. This has meant
that they are able to ask more detailed questions about
what their children have told them at home and improve
their health.
Sunday 17 February: The Third Sunday before Lent
Gracious God, teacher of wisdom,
and healer of community,
Guide us to know our need,
that we may find our strength in you and be blessed.
Monday 18 Pray for the peoples of Ghana, for Ashanti, Ewe,
Fante, Ga and Dagomba, that their peaceful co-existence may
ever deepen and unify.
Tuesday 19 Pray for the Dioceses of Cape Coast and Sunyani,
that USPG’s support of clergy and lay training will reap benefits
and see the growth and flourishing of church congregations.
Wednesday 20 Pray for the Integrated Health Intervention
Project of the Anglican Church in the Dioceses of Cape Coast
and Sunyani, that its multi-disciplined approach will build
community and improve health.
Thursday 21 Pray for the schools’ programme run by the
Integrated Intervention Project in Cape Coast, that its
involvement of children as educators on infectious diseases
will pay dividends for years to come.
Friday 22 Pray for health team workers and Head Teachers,
that they work creatively together with pupils and parents to
reduce the spread of communicable diseases.
Saturday 23 Give thanks for the effectiveness of Ghana’s
Integrated Intervention Project, for the partnering of different
institutions and agencies to improve public health through
education on disease.
24 FEBRUARY – 2 MARCH
JAMAICAFrom the Anglican Togetherness Group (ATG) about a parenting
course, that was part funded by USPG, run in Jamaica.
In Jamaica the issue of parenting is at the forefront of
social consciousness in all spheres and levels of society.
The problems that can occur from family breakdown, child
pregnancies and poor parenting techniques have been shown
to be key factors in the social problems and their associated
costs to society.
This programme focuses on a training course for facilitators
to experience the importance of creating a safe space for
parents to share experiences of family life and strengthen
family communication, trust, respect and shared values. The
facilitators then use this to conduct parenting classes within
their own communities.
The programme aims to highlight the impact of their
own upbringing on people’s parenting techniques and skills;
to teach about the normal stages of child development
so children aren’t punished for normal behaviour; and to
encourage and explore more positive approaches to parenting
without recourse to physical and emotional punishment.
We hope that those who undertake the classes will use this
with all generations of the family, to improve relationships for
children and families, and create a positive impact on society.
Sunday 24 February: The Second Sunday before Lent
God, our Father, forgive our ignorance of self and others
and show us a way to love both.
In our faltering steps towards you may we discover
a parent’s love that eases fear and stills the storm
and gives us grace to do the same.
Monday 25 Pray for the people of Jamaica and its diaspora living with a history of colonialism and slavery, that they may find strength in their independence and pride in their culture.
Tuesday 26 Pray for Jamaican society and for families weighed down by social and economic pressures, that an awareness of good parenting will lead to positive changes in behaviour.
Wednesday 27 Pray for parents struggling to understand their children and for children grappling with growing up, that they may find ways to communicate and build up trust.
Thursday 28 Pray for the parenting training courses run by the Anglican Togetherness Group, that its trainee facilitators will use their new-found skills to teach effective parenting within their own communities.
Friday 1 March Pray for the facilitators of parenting classes, that they may encourage self-awareness and an understanding of child development to reduce the use of physical and emotional abuse.
Saturday 2 Give thanks for USPG’s part funding of the parenting training course run by the Anglican Togetherness Group and for the recognition of the importance of good parenting.
3 – 9 MARCH FIRST SPECIAL WEEK FOR LENT
INDIA: Adapted from an article by Rt Rev Probal Dutta, Deputy
Moderator of Church of North India, Bishop of Calcutta and
Moderator’s Commissary to the Diocese of Durgapur.
The Hebrew word for prophet is navi and they were thought
to be the mouth of God, a spokesperson or persons
appointed by God to proclaim His message to the world.
For the church in India to remain a beacon for its people it
needs to re-ignite its brilliance in mission in three ways:
The mission to social justice, speaking out against
corruption, caste discrimination, violence against women,
human trafficking and other injustice.
The mission to preach the word of God in regional languages
and dialects, so that all can hear and understand the message.
The mission to witness, in solidarity with the marginalized
and oppressed by living with them to witness their pain and
their lives. Serving them so they can be liberated.
Prophetic mission is not an easy task, but it is a vocation
and a responsibility. As tradition teaches “You are not obliged
to complete your work, but you are not at liberty to quit it”.
India needs prophetic religious living, to be creative, dynamic
and patient with challenges and misunderstandings as we
trust in God’s divine plan.
Sunday 3 March: The Sunday next before Lent
Merciful God, reveal yourself through your Church
that the world may know you
through the message she proclaims and know your love
through the justice she requires.
Monday 4 Pray for the Church in North and South India that it
will continue speaking up for those whose voices are not heard
and be a prophetic voice calling the unjust to repentance.
Tuesday 5 Pray for the Church in its mission for social justice,
that it will never tire from challenging a world that loses sight
of the poor and ignores the oppressed.
Wednesday 6: Ash Wednesday Pray for the Church in its
mission to stand alongside the powerless, that it is faithful in its
witness to our equality before God, remembering we are each
but dust and to dust we shall return.
Thursday 7 Pray for the Church in its mission to preach the
Word of God, that its commitment to speak in languages and
dialects its hearers will understand will be honoured, and the
gospel will be heard.
Friday 8 Pray for Church leaders to have faith and courage in
the face of difficulty, that they may find strength to suffer with
Christ and be changed into his likeness.
Saturday 9 Give thanks for the commitment of the Church in
India to the marginalised, for its faithfulness to the gospel and
its witness to the gospel’s power to change and save lives.
10 – 16 MARCH LENT 1: COMMUNITY
INDIA: This article is based on a report on the Institute of Pastoral
Management (IPM) run by the Church of South India.
In India pastors have many responsibilities and are trained
to lead worship. However, many lack the leadership
experience and practical skills that their congregation
expect and need of them.
The Institute of Pastoral Management provides training
on subjects such as legislation, administration, personal
development and financial management. Many of these
Pastors work in rural areas where literacy rates are low and
there is a great need for them to share these skills with
others in the community and give appropriate guidance.
One way in which these skills are taught is through Bible
Studies where participants are helped to read the Bible
passages from a management perspective. In this way Rev
E. Prabhaker, a Pastor from Medak Diocese has gained the
confidence to run Bible Studies for rural youth and women.
Participants from the programme have expressed their
increased confidence to serve their communities and
to be able to deal with issues that arise, or change their
administration practices so they are complying with the law.
Sunday 10 March: The First Sunday of Lent Gracious God, when our world feels like a wilderness
and we are tempted to bury our head in the sand,
help us to know our weakness and your power to save,
that we may turn our eyes to the light to discover fresh
insights and new paths and be renewed by a change of heart.
Monday 11 Pray for Church of South India’s Institute of Pastoral
Management (IPM), that the support and training it provides
for its Pastors will enable them to be more effective ministers.
Tuesday 12 Pray for trainers at the Institute of IPM, that their
practical knowledge and teaching expertise will enable them to
pass on a wide range of admin and financial skills.
Wednesday 13 Pray for Pastors working in rural areas, that
they offer appropriate guidance to people with little education
and are able to share with them the practical skills they have
been taught.
Thursday 14 Pray for the creative use of Bible Studies in
teaching managerial skills, that fresh thinking will lead to
widening participation on the programme, and benefit women
and rural youth as well as men.
Friday 15 Pray for the communities served by Pastors, that
newly learnt skills and a changed outlook will increase their
confidence and their faith.
Saturday 16 Give thanks for the work of the Institute of Pastoral
Management, for all who have participated in it and all who
have benefited from the knowledge passed on.
17-23 MARCH LENT 2: INJUSTICE
INDIA: Article by the Anti Human Trafficking (AHT) Programme
in the Diocese of Durgapur, Church of North India.
Shyamol and Shefali, neighbours in the small village of Haryana,
travelled together to Delhi with the promise of finding work. As
arranged, they were met in Delhi by a woman called Jayanti who
told the neighbours they had jobs in different places.
A year later, Shefali returned home alone which made
Shyamol’s father suspicious. He asked Shefali why Shyamol
had not come back with her. Shefali said she didn’t know where
Shyamol had gone.
In desperation, Shyamol’s father visited the Diocese of
Durgapur’s Anti Human Trafficking (AHT) office, in Kaliyaganj,
to ask for help.
AHT staff travelled to Haryana to speak to the village head
and other villagers. Then, convinced that Shefali and Jayanti
had trafficked Shyamol, they put pressure on them to return
Shyamol in 45 days to avoid being taken to court.
Finally, in February 2018, Shyamol was returned. He had
been trafficked for a large amount of money to a place where his
owner forced him to take care of cows and buffalos, feeding him
only one meal a day. If he complained, he said his owner and his
friends would beat him. Shyamol is now safe at home with his
family thanks to the AHT team.
Sunday 17 March: The Second Sunday of Lent God of Justice, you weep over our destruction
and call your people from slavery to freedom.
Deliver us from the bonds of inertia that we may open our
eyes to oppression and work with one another to build a
world where all are valued, all are free.
Monday 18 Pray for all victims of trafficking, that they may
find safety from exploitation and their dignity and sense of
self-worth are restored.
Tuesday 19 Pray for all who live in poverty and long for the
security of job and home, that their needs are addressed by
governments and their hopes realised.
Wednesday 20 Pray for those who work with people vulnerable
to trafficking, that their dedication to educate and inform, will
empower those whose freedom has been taken away.
Thursday 21 Pray for those who exploit the misery of others for
their own gain, that they may turn from selfish gain and with
renewed heart work for the common good.
Friday 22 Pray for ourselves when we fail to notice the world
around us, that we may grow in awareness of our neighbour
and reach out to one another in times of need.
Saturday 23 Give thanks for the work of the Anti Human
Trafficking Programme in the Diocese of Durgapur, for the
dedication of its staff and for lives transformed through their
intervention.
24-30 MARCHLENT 3: GENDER
INDIA: The Skills Training Programme for Women and
Girls, in Kurnool, is an initiative of the Nandyal Diocese, the
Church of South India. Mr Sushanth, trainer in computer
education, reports:
Sowjanya comes from a semi-urban part of Kurnool. When
she was still a child, the sudden death of her father left her
mother caring for the family alone.
At the time, Sowjanya’ s mother was working for one of
CSI’s missionary schools, earning just enough to take care of
the family.
Sowjanya – the eldest of three siblings – completed her
schooling but due to her lack of skills she was unable to get
a job. However she never lost hope in God. She signed up for
the Skill Training Centre, attended all her classes and soon
learnt computing, tailoring and English, along with Bible
studies which helped Sowjanya to discern God’s plan for her.
Her tailoring skills mean she can now earn money to
support her family. And, with her new confidence, she passed
a teacher training exam, so she also has even greater options.
Sowjanya said: ‘From the bottom of my heart, I offer warm
greetings to USPG and heartfelt thanks for bringing colour
into my life.’
Sunday 24 March: The Third Sunday of Lent
God, our mother,
you brood over your children,
as a hen her chicks.
Open our hearts to caring
and our minds to learning
that we may nurture a vision of a world made whole.
Monday 25 Pray for women who hold families together in the
face of trauma and hardship, that they may be strengthened in
faith and find solidarity in one another.
Tuesday 26 Pray for children whose education is curtailed
through poverty and for girls whose educational needs are
often seen as secondary to boys, that governments may
prioritise schooling for all.
Wednesday 27 Pray for all places of education, that they may
seek to broaden the minds and skills of those who seek to
learn and offer a vision of a fairer world.
Thursday 28 Pray for places of employment, that they may
be free from discrimination and prejudice and employer and
employee may work together to ensure fairness for all.
Friday 29 Pray for the Women’s Skills Training Centre in
Kurnool, that the training it provides may teach skills that will
change the lives of women and young girls for the better.
Saturday 30 Give thanks for our God-given imaginations that
seeks solutions in the face of problems and for the creative
spirit that inspires our vision of what is possible.
31 MARCH – 6 APRIL LENT 4: CLIMATE
INDIA: The Church of South India’s Green Schools programme,
is inspiring a new generation to care for the environment.
We train students to observe and watch nature. This is the
best education we can give them because nature will reveal its
treasures to the students. Observing nature with respect and
curiosity will change their mindset, which is the primary goal of
the Green Schools programme. We aim to catch the students
when they are young and give them training in sustainable
values in the hope that this can start to solve the present
ecological crisis. Interestingly, we’ve noticed that primary
school students respond better than high school students.
We also organise training for teachers and clergy in the
dioceses. Mona Robert, a teacher at Dornakal Diocese High
School, said: ‘The sessions inspired me. From now on I would
like to read the Bible keeping ecology in mind. I was impressed
by the significance of tigers, the guardians of the forest, and
how they are [badly] treated. Also, because water is the main
resource for all living beings, it should be used carefully, so we
have to educate people about this.’
In Medak Diocese, teacher K Hepsheba reported: ‘We
learned how everything in the universe is interrelated. If we
care about nature, nature will care for us.’
Sunday 31 March: The Fourth Sunday of Lent Creator God,
the heavens declare your glory
and the earth your generosity.
Forgive our exploitation of your gracious provision
and through your bountiful goodness
guide our efforts to be better stewards of your creation.
Monday 1 April Give thanks for the created world in all its
beauty and fragility, for the divine imagination behind it and
for our senses to appreciate it.
Tuesday 2 Pray for a greater sense of wonder and humility
in the face of creation, that we may seek to connect with the
earth and be sensitive to its fine tuning.
Wednesday 3 Pray for forgiveness for our share in humanity’s
greed and subjugation of creation, that we may learn to tread
gently on the earth and protect it for future generations.
Thursday 4 Pray for our children and young people as they
discover the world they inhabit, that their curiosity be kindled,
their understanding nurtured and their care for creation ignited.
Friday 5 Pray for teachers and clergy in their responsibility to
teach respect for the earth, that they may lead by example
and inspire a change in attitude towards environmental care.
Saturday 6 Give thanks for the Church of South India’s
Green Schools programme as it educates a new generation
to understand the impact of human behaviour on the
environment.
7-13 APRIL HOPE
Article based upon a report from Let My People Go programme,
which is run by the Church of North India Synodical Board of Social
Services (CNISBSS) to support marginalised Dalit and tribal people.
Tagori’s story: For a long time, Tagori and her husband Sumit
struggled to make ends meet and look after their ten-year-
old son. With no land of their own, Sumit struggled to find
work as a day labourer, so some days there would be no
income. They couldn’t afford decent food and clothing – and
there seemed little prospect of being able to support their
son’s education.
Unable to borrow from relatives or neighbours, Tagori met
Nayami Pramanik, a Community Enabler with the Diocesan
Board of Social Services (DBSS) for Barrackpore Diocese, who
guided and encouraged her.
Tagori joined a DBSS self-help group and with their help,
Tagori took out a small loan to start a fishing business.
Tagori hired a pond, some fish, fishing nets and fish food.
Six months later Tagori was able to harvest fish and sell them
at market. She repaid her loan and bought a bicycle and a
television set for her family. Tagori’s fishing business is doing
well. She told us: ‘I am now more confident and have decided
to hire more ponds locally to continue growing my business.’
Sunday 7 April: The Fifth Sunday of Lent Marginalised God, despised and rejected by men,
you know the cries of the poor and the hurt of the weak.
In your mercy, save us from pity.
Rather, galvanise us to action that we may walk in
solidarity with those for whom we pray.
Monday 8 Pray for marginalised peoples who lack access to
steady work and fair pay, that their plight may be recognised,
and their concerns addressed by those who hold power.
Tuesday 9 Pray for the Dalit of India and all born into
poverty who live with daily prejudice and rejection,
that they may discover their worth, find their voice and
campaign for change.
Wednesday 10 Pray for a greater understanding of those
who are pushed to the margins of society, that we may grow
in awareness of our own prejudices and become agents of
change for a more just world.
Thursday 11 Pray for the Church of North India’s Let My People
Go programme, that its resolve to free Dalit and tribal peoples
from bondage may never tire and my daily be renewed.
Friday 12 Pray for Barrackpore’s DBSS’s community enablers,
that they may build up confidence in the people they serve to
enable their self-help and transformation.
Saturday 13 Give thanks for the gift of small loans and the
generosity of trust that enable fresh starts, giving people a
chance to build a business and provide for their family.
14 – 20 APRILPALM SUNDAY / HOLY WEEK
INDIA: USPG is supporting the Delhi Brotherhood Society’s
(DBS) Women’s Helpline, which is providing pastoral support and
counselling to help families to resolve issues of gender violence or
marital discord.
Meera’s story: Meera, aged 35, has been married 17 years.
She and her husband Lalit, 47, a driver by profession, have four
children. Lalit was abusive in the marriage, and he married
another woman and tried to throw Meera and their children out
of the home. Lalit’s mother supported him so that Meera had no
support and was in great distress.
Then a friend directed Meera to the DBS run Women’s
Helpline programme. Meera met with their para-legal staff in
Mandoli, who visited the home and warned Lalit to stop, but
as soon as they left Lalit beat up Meera again. The helpline
team visited again and told Lalit he could be sent to jail if he
continued to mistreat his wife, after which he became cautious
and stopped harassing his wife, and even his mother backed off.
Meanwhile, Meera found a job as a cook, so that she is able to
support her family.
Meera’s husband now knows that he can not evict his wife
and children, nor can he attack her. This is a huge relief to Meera
and she’s thankful to the Women’s Helpline.
Sunday 14 April: Palm Sunday Vulnerable God, you chose the way of the servant king,
bearing our pain and humiliations.
Give us grace to hear what we see and to see what we hear
that we may bear each other’s crosses
and share each other’s load.
Monday 15 Pray for those in abusive marriages, who live in fear
of violence and manipulation, that they may find strength in
friendships and a renewed sense of their own worth.
Tuesday 16 Pray for the Delhi Brotherhood Society’s Women’s
Helpline and for the pastoral support it provides, that those
offering counselling will be sensitive to what they hear and wise
in their advice.
Wednesday 17 Pray for women vulnerable to eviction and for
their children, that they find support, are made aware of their
legal rights and are empowered to take control.
Thursday 18 Pray for men prone to violence and abuse in
their relationships, that they may be given insight into their
behaviour and challenged to change.
Friday 19 Pray for the Women’s Helpline team of visitors
subjected to volatile situations, that they may be given courage
in their work and persistence in pursuing justice.
Saturday 20 Give thanks for the dedication and professionalism of
the staff of the Women’s Helpline, for the support that they offer
vulnerable women, and for lives changed by their intervention.
PRAY WITH THEWORLD CHURCH
Lusophone Network: Give
thanks for the Anglican
Church in Portuguese
speaking countries.
17 February – 15 June 2019
Jamaica: Pray for
the church’s work to
promote family life.
Ghana: Pray
for the church’s
integrated
health projects.
Tanzania: Pray for the
church’s ministry to
reduce HIV and AIDS.
Melanesia: Give
thanks that the
Church in Melanesia
is a beacon of hope.
Bangladesh: Give
thanks for the Christian
Mission Hospitals.
India: Give thanks for
the prophetic voice of
the churches.
Malawi: give thanks for
the church’s community
engagement.
Myanmar: Pray for
community health
workers in rural
communities.
PROCMURA: Pray for
good relations between
peoples of different faiths.
21 – 27 APRIL
BANGLADESH: COMMUNITY HEALTH The Nursing Institute of the Christian Mission Hospital in
Rajshahi, Bangladesh, is offering a scholarship programme,
through USPG-support, to give young people from poor families
a rare opportunity to study and find employment. Principal Mary
Bithika Halder reports on one of the students:
Sujon’s story: Sujon, aged 18, grew up in Ashkar village in a
Christian family. His father is a rickshaw puller, his mother is
a housewife, and he has one brother.
Sujon started receiving support from the Church of
Bangladesh at an early age. He started in a play group at a
mission school, then attended a non-government school
before going to high school. Because his family was so poor,
Sujon relied on his schools to cover his fees and supply him
with stationery.
After leaving school, Sujon studied at a college, for which
his father struggled to pay the fees. Sujon eventually took on
extra work as a day labourer to help support his family.
Today, Sujon is very grateful because he has a scholarship
to attend the Nursing Institute (NI). With financial help from
NI, his father is now better able to support his family.
Sujon came third in his class in his first exam at the institute
and is looking forward to completing his studies and finding a
job as a nurse.
Sunday 21 April: Easter Sunday Risen Christ, roll away our stones
that we might find life in the darkness we dread,
in the losses we carry, in the memories that hurt
and discover your power to recreate and make all things new.
Monday 22 Pray for the Church of Bangladesh, Christian Mission
Hospital in Rajshahi, that it will continue to be a beacon of light in
the area it serves, offering care and compassion, life and hope.
Tuesday 23 Pray for the Mission Hospital’s Nursing Institute,
that its training programme will provide its student nurses with
the medical knowledge and the pastoral skills needed to carry
out their work.
Wednesday 24 Pray for the successful introduction of the
Institute’s Scholarship programme, that it will give young people
from poor families the life-changing opportunity to train as nurses.
Thursday 25 Pray for poor families struggling to make ends meet,
that they may know the support of the Church in Bangladesh and
be encouraged in their efforts to aid one another.
Friday 26 Pray for student nurses studying for their exams
and for those seeking employment, that their efforts will be
rewarded, and their future work secured.
Saturday 27 Give thanks for the financial support USPG
gives to the Mission Hospital and its programmes, and for
the lives transformed through the Nursing Institute’s offer of
scholarships to poor students.
28 APRIL – MAY 4
PROCMURA Story shared by Joy Wandabwa of PROCMURA on Christian and
Muslim relations in Kenya, written by Bishop Stephen Kalunyu,
Nica Mission Diocese.
One of the areas of work of the Programme for Christian – Muslim
relations in Africa (PROCMURA) this year, was to focus on
the Isiolo interfaith Network on peaceful coexistence between
Christians and Muslims in Isiolo County, Kenya.
The inter-religious tension in the town of Merti dates to
1993 when there was a dispute over a burial ground, and later
disputes over schools and education heightened the tensions.
This area of Kenya faces high levels of radicalization due
to its strategic position as a ‘Gateway to Northern Kenya’ and
proximity to the fragile states of Ethiopia and Somalia where
there is a heavy presence of suspected sleeper terror cells.
This means that there is a great need for cohesion and peace,
and for inter-faith tensions and intolerance to be resolved.
The County Commissioner asked PROCMURA to work with
inter-faith leaders and organisations to try and restore peace
between Christians and Muslims. PROCMURA sent Bishop
Stephen Kalunyu and Sheikh Dhabaso to hold an inter faith
dialogue meeting with the community.
Since that intervention there has been more tolerance in the
community, and Christians and Muslims are living more peacefully.
Sunday 28 April: The Second Sunday of Easter God of unity, relationship sits at your heart.
Help us to listen to one another and to trust where we doubt,
that we may grow in understanding of what it means to be a
good neighbour and to build a community of peace.
Monday 29 Pray for PROCMURA, working to establish better
relationships between Christian and Muslim communities in
Kenya, that its vision of peaceful co-existence rooted in each
faith will be realised.
Tuesday 30 Pray for Kenya and neighbouring Ethiopia and
Somalia in the face of increasing extremism, that their
governments may work together to combat radicalisation and
the establishment of terrorist cells.
Wednesday 1 May Pray for a greater unity between Christian
denominations, that their leaders may share in negotiating for
peaceable relationships with their Muslim neighbours.
Thursday 2 Pray for children caught up in inter-faith conflict, that
education will be prioritised over local disputes and teachers may
be schooled in conflict resolution and peace promotion.
Friday 3 Pray for leaders working with the Isiolo interfaith
network on peace negotiations, that they may listen well, be
sensitive to complexity and wise in their decisions.
Saturday 4 Give thanks for the establishment of the Isiolo
interfaith Network and the commitment of its leaders to promote
religious tolerance for the sake of peaceful co-existence.
5 – 11 MAY
BANGLADESHArticle by Senior Nurse Gillian Rose, at the USPG-supported
Bollobhpur Hospital.
We have a new intake of nursing students every six months.
I started this many years ago when the bishop urged me to
give more girls a chance of training – and the system has
worked well.
Our senior students recently sat their final examinations
and all passed well. Dr Alok, from the government hospital in
Meherpur, conducted the exams and was pleased with all the
students. Meanwhile, the seniors, who sat their final exams
six months previously, gathered to collect their hard-earned
certificates and say goodbye.
Then it was time for a new group of students to arrive, with
boxes and bedding, eager to begin their training. The majority
are Santal – marginalised tribal people from the north of the
country – and there are also a few girls from the Oraw tribal
people, who also have little opportunity to access training. The
Santal girls are mostly Christian and the Oraw girls are Hindu.
On the wards, the days rush by with routine clinics, hard
work, patients to be admitted and cared for, and tiny new
arrivals hoping for a warm space in an incubator. Most
incubators double up to provide care for two babies, including
three recent sets of twins.
Sunday 5 May: The Third Sunday of Easter God of endings and beginnings, for whom all life is precious,
Protect those who nurture the living and watch over
the dying. Grant us wisdom to know when to hold on
and when to let go that at the last we may find our
home in you.
Monday 6 Pray for the Bollobhpur hospital in Bangladesh
and for all who live, work and rest within its walls that it
will continue to be a place of care and compassion, hope
and healing.
Tuesday 7 Pray for the Church of Bangladesh’s support of
Bollobhpur Hospital, that its time and interest in the hospital’s
mission will help to build community relations.
Wednesday 8 Pray for all involved in training student nurses,
so that their professional expertise may continue to be passed
on to their students long after they have qualified.
Thursday 9 Pray for nurses from the marginalised Santai and
Oraw peoples, that their successful training at Bollobhpur
hospital will provide a model for widening participation and be
replicated elsewhere.
Friday 10 Pray for the babies in Bollobhpur Hospital, particularly
those in need of incubator space, that their medical needs will
be met despite the challenge of insufficient equipment.
Saturday 11 Give thanks for the staff and students of Bollobhur
Hospital, for all their training programmes, and for the many
lives that have been changed.
12 – 18 MAY
USPG SHORT-TERM PLACEMENTS Article by the Revd Cathy Scoffield, from Barnstaple, North Devon,
who was on placement in Honiara, on the Solomon Islands, with
USPG’s Expanding Horizons programme for clergy, ordinands and
church workers.
I spent time at four Anglican orders, including the Sisters of
Melanesia, of which I am an associate member so this was a
particularly rich and rewarding experience. I joined them for
worship, spent mornings teaching the 35 novices, and taught
library skills. I was also invited to preach and celebrate at the
Eucharist, which was a profound experience.
All the women’s orders I visited had training centres for
novices, which help women to gain education as girls are
sometimes kept at home to look after younger siblings.
Melanesia is a beautiful but challenging place to live. The
churches and religious orders stand out as beacons of hope,
offering encouragement to local communities.
For me, this placement was a remarkable Melanesian
pilgrimage – a chance to experience the true love of God
that I’ve always found when spending time with Melanesian
visitors to the UK. Throughout my visit, I felt a sense of
wonder at being part of the great global Christian community,
drawn together by the depths of God’s love.
Sunday 12 May: The Fourth Sunday of Easter God of Surprises,
when we make you in our image,
challenge our narrow vision.
Open our eyes, expand our horizons
and make all things new.
Monday 13 Pray for the Expanding Horizons and Journey with
Us programmes and all who participate in them: that eyes
and ears will delight in difference and hearts and minds will be
drawn together.
Tuesday 14 Pray for the people of Melanesia and the islands
they inhabit, that the generosity of spirit and resilience of the
islanders will be both a guide and an inspiration to visitors.
Wednesday 15 Pray for Anglican orders in the Solomon Islands
and that the hospitality offered by the Sisters of Melanesia, will
be a means of outreach and mutual enrichment.
Thursday 16 Pray for the educational initiatives of the Anglican
women’s orders in the Solomon Islands, that their training
centres both widen the horizons and expand the skills of the
novices they seek to serve.
Friday 17 Pray for those who travel to Melanesia, that their
experience will inspire faith and a growing understanding of the
transforming love of God.
Saturday 18 Give thanks for the global Christian community and
for opportunities to expand our horizons.
19 -25 MAY
TANZANIAArticle based on a report by the Church of Tanzania’s Prevention
of Mother to Child Transmission of HIV (PMTCT) programme.
Jesca’s mother died from AIDS-related illnesses when Jesca
was just 10 years old. Jesca was brought up by her father, who is
HIV-positive and on anti-retroviral treatment.
Nobody knew that Jesca had also been infected through
mother-to-child transmission of HIV.
At 19, Jesca married Wema, an entrepreneur from Mvumi,
which is one of the locations where we run our Prevention of
Mother to Child Transmission of HIV (PMTCT) programme.
In August 2016, five months pregnant, Jesca received a
home visit from one of our community health workers, who
advised her to attend one of our clinics in Mvumi.
When Jesca and Wema were tested for HIV, Jesca was
found to be positive whilst Wema was negative. Jesca feared
this would be the end of her marriage, even her life, but she
was reassured by her husband and our staff that life could
continue as usual. Jesca was given treatment on our PMTCT
programme, and her baby Happy was born HIV–negative.
Follow-up tests when the child was 18 months old,
confirmed that Happy remained HIV-free! Jesca and her
husband are thankful to the Anglican Church of Tanzania’s
PMTCT programme for assuring good health for their baby.
Sunday 19 May: The Fifth Sunday of EasterIncarnate God, born of a woman;
bring to birth in us compassion
that we might embrace each other’s story and find our own.
Monday 20 Pray for all who live with HIV and AIDS in Tanzania
and beyond, that they have access to medical treatment and the
support of loved ones in times of sickness and difficulty.
Tuesday 21 Pray for those who have lost loved ones to AIDS
and for children orphaned by the disease, that they may find
comfort in one another, care from their communities and
support from their government.
Wednesday 22 Pray for those living in fear of HIV and its
stigma, especially women bearing children, that they find the
courage to be screened for HIV to safeguard their child’s life
and their own.
Thursday 23 Pray for the Church of Tanzania’s Prevention
of Mother to Child Transmission programme, that its work
to raise awareness of the dangers of transmitting HIV while
pregnant will bear fruit.
Friday 24 Pray for the programme’s community health workers
working with pregnant women and their partners, that their
knowledge, skills and sensitivity will help save lives.
Saturday 25 Give thanks for the advice and treatment
offered by the Prevention of Mother to Child Transmission
programme, for lives saved through anti-retroviral medication
and for children born free of HIV.
26 MAY – 1 JUNE
MALAWI: ACMCII Lives are being transformed by self-help groups started by the
Anglican Council of Malawi Community Integrated Intervention
Project (ACMCII).
Maureen has a son whose father didn’t want to marry her, so
she was living with her elderly parents. As an active member
of the local Anglican church and community, she was invited
to help run a local self-help group started by the Anglican
Council of Malawi Community Integrated Intervention
Project (ACMCII).
Four years on, Maureen describes how her life has
improved: ‘Being a single young mother aggravates poverty
and stigma. One of my roles is to make sure our volunteers
visit target households and submit reports. I also help to
mobilise community members to attend meetings. And I
participate in decision-making.
The programme has helped me to provide for myself and
my child. I established a home garden and sell the surplus. We
now have vegetables throughout the year. I also took out a loan
from the group to start a small business making and selling
doughnuts. The most significant change is the peace of mind I
now have. We offer each other support to overcome some of
our fears, and this helps me to keep me going. My parish priest
and the AMCII field officer have been very supportive.’
Sunday 26 May: The Sixth Sunday of Easter God of community, you gather us to yourself and to one
another that we might become one body. Help us to
recognise each other’s gifts and to encourage their sharing
that together we may build up the body of Christ.
Monday 27 Pray for the Community Integrated Intervention
Project of the Anglican Council of Malawi, that its vision of
community building might be realised.
Tuesday 28 Pray for Malawi’s church and community leaders
as they seek to support the people they serve, that they
may work together to strengthen relationships and provide
encouragement.
Wednesday 29 Pray for Malawi’s single mothers who live with
social stigma and fear marginalisation, that prejudice will be
challenged, ignorance informed, and hearts and minds changed.
Thursday 30 (Ascension Day) Pray for those whose lives are
made vulnerable through poverty and lack of education, that
their potential is recognised, their gifts encouraged, and in your
ascended light, their lives changed.
Friday 31 Pray for the self-help groups introduced by the
Community Integrated Intervention Project, that participants
may be empowered by the training and loans they receive.
Saturday 1 June Give thanks for the good relationships between
parish priests, community leaders and field officers, and for
USPG’s financial and technical support of the Community
Integrated Intervention Project.
2 – 8 JUNE
MYANMAR Article by Ruth Pathi Paw, Health Co-ordinator of the Church
of Myanmar’s Community Health Programme.
Kar Rai, 25, comes from A-Lin-Wa Village, in Sittwe Diocese.
Her story shows the benefit of learning how to care for children.
When Kar Rai breastfed her first child, her milk was
crystal-clear, rather than white, so she assumed that
something was wrong and stopped breastfeeding. Then
the child died, which reinforced the idea that there was
something wrong with her milk. So she fed her next two
children with tinned milk only.
Koe Win, one of the Church of Myanmar’s village health
workers, noticed that Kar Rai was feeding her child with
tinned milk. Koe Win explained that breast milk was clear at
first and gradually became white, and that breast milk was
vital for helping to prevent disease.
Koe Win looked after Kar Rai for three days, ensuring that
she and her baby were in good health.
Koe Win first attended midwife training in 2008 and
has since undergone further training, funded by USPG, in
Jamkhed, India and shares her knowledge and experience
with surrounding communities.
Now Kar Rai is breastfeeding regularly and is very
thankful that Koe Win was able to share her knowledge.
Sunday 2 June: The Seventh Sunday of Easter Compassionate God, your son taught us
to see the world afresh.
When our thinking is tired, open our minds and guard our
mouths that we may gently share life in all its fullness.
Monday 3 Pray for the Church of Myanmar’s Community
Health Programme, that its work will continue to reap
benefits and see improvement in the population’s health
and well-being.
Tuesday 4 Pray for the Church of Myanmar’s village health
workers, that their training and knowledge of local matters
will equip them for the daily challenges they face.
Wednesday 5 Pray for those in Myanmar whose health is
compromised through poverty and lack of education, that
Myanmar’s government will prioritise the rights of all people.
Thursday 6 Pray for Myanmar mothers struggling to feed
their babies and for parents who have lost children, that
the Community Health Programme will offer life-changing
knowledge and support.
Friday 7 Pray for multi-nationals selling tinned baby milk, that its
use will not be promoted over breast milk and child health will
be put before profit.
Saturday 8 Give thanks for midwives and health workers
working to better the health of Myanmar’s people, and for
USPG’s funding of training and refresher courses in support
of their work.
9-15 JUNE
LUSOPHONE NETWORKDo not conform to the pattern of this world but be transformed
by the renewing of your mind. Then you will be able to test and
approve what God’s will is – his good, pleasing and perfect will.
(Romans 12:2). Article from Paulo Ueti.
This is the inspiration for the Lusophone Network as it moves
forward with connections, mutual support in ministry and
theological education, and praying for each other weekly. The
network is made up of Portuguese speaking churches from
Portugal, Brazil, Angola and Mozambique, with the aim to
deepen the communion between us.
At the moment prayer and support are needed for our
theological education and development work. The Churches
in Portugal and Brazil are currently sharing an on-line course
on Anglicanism, and the Church in Mozambique is working to
enhance its theological education.
Theology isn’t just an intellectual exercise but a ministry
too. As we work together we hope to equip ministers and
future theologians to stand for the values of the Kingdom
of God – justice, solidarity, reciprocity, grace, communion,
sharing, sustainability and love.
Sunday 9 June: Day of PentecostCome, Holy Spirit, breathe on us to bring us to life,
embolden us to think fresh thoughts, inspire us to work
in new ways and fire us up to proclaim the gospel,
that God’s kingdom comes on earth and his life grows
within us.
Monday 10 Pray for the Portuguese speaking churches of the
Lusophone Network, that each will inspire and resource the
other to deepen communion between them.
Tuesday 11 Pray for the Churches in Portugal and Brazil in
their endeavour to enhance their theological education, that
together they may deepen discipleship by their shared on-line
Anglicanism course.
Wednesday 12 Pray for those involved in theological education
in Portugal, Brazil, Angola and Mozambique, that their shared
wisdom and knowledge will enhance theological reflection.
Thursday 13 Pray for the Lusophone Network in its motivation
to better equip its ministers, that it will see the fruits of its
shared enterprise in the confident communication of the gospel.
Friday 14 Pray for continued growth in the sharing of the
Network’s resources, that theologians will emerge who can
undergird the kingdom values of justice, grace and love.
Saturday 15 Give thanks for creative thinking and sharing of
resources between the Portuguese speaking churches and for
renewed energy and commitment to contextual theology.
Our relationships with the world
church go back decades, and even
centuries in some cases. Together,
we are sharing God’s love among
those whose needs are greatest.
But the vital work of our partners
depends on your donations to
make it happen.
So please make a generous
donation to USPG so the
Churches of North and South
India – featured in our 2019 study
course – can continue to be the
hands and feet of Christ in the
communities they serve.
THE PROPHETIC VOICE OF THE CHURCHUSPG LENT APPEAL 2019
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they seek to be the prophetic voice in their communities.
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BE PART OF THE CHANGEAs a global Anglican mission agency, USPG seeks to enable churches around the world to act as hands and feet of Christ in the communities they serve – enlivening faith, strengthening relationships, unlocking potential and championing justice. Be a part of this mission!
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Thank you for joining with USPG and our
partners in prayer. We close this Prayer Diary
with a Dalit Prayer of blessing for us all:
The blessings of the Lord are with us.
Jesus’ love is also with us.
The spirit of unity is also with us.
Let us go bravely into the world
to fight the good fight for justice and truth.
Amen.
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