For the DR Congo, pray for families who are scattered, especially fathers who are separated from their children due to war and the widowed women who struggle to have enough to survive. Pray for the soldiers who use sexual violence as a weapon: may God touch them to respect their fellow human. As the election results from December are settled, may the government and the people learn to love each other as neighbours even across party lines, and may the leaders develop a heart for the poorer citizens whom they govern. Pray for the Mennonite Bible training institutions to have partners to improve their service.
—submitted by Robert Irundu, Communauté Mennonite au Congo
Photo: Siaka Traoré

High rainfall caused the collapse of one of the irrigation dams in Central Java. The resulting flood submerged many residential areas, many farmers’ rice fields, and even cut off access to highways connecting several cities in Central Java. Pray that this will handled well, so that the displaced people can return to their homes, their damaged rice fields can be re-worked and access between cities can be restored, as well as aid supplies to the victims can be distributed properly. No GKMI congregations are in the affected area, but nearby ones are responding with aid and offering shelter. 
—submitted by Agus Mayanto, MWC regional representative for Southeast Asia 
Photo: Irma Sulistyorini

Pray for peace in Ethiopia, that the authorities may make decisions and take actions that will bring unity among the different highly polarized ethnic groups. Pray for the churches, that they will be strong and follow the Prince of Peace in their attitudes and actions as they face a lot of opposition. Pray for the leadership in the Seminary and the faculty and students, that a spirit of true Christian brotherhood and sisterhood might prevail and protect the unity that Christ gives. Pray for the students whose education has been disrupted due to violence in their home region, financial difficulties and psychological distress. Pray for those millions who are still suffering from famine in some parts, and for those who are seeking to help them in their desperate need.—MKC newsletter
Photo: Tigist Tesfaye

Pray for parts of East Africa affected by heavy rains and mudslides. Earlier in December, some 80 people were reported to have died in Tanzania after mudslides carried large rocks and uprooted trees, reaching depths of up to 8 metres. In the village of Hanang, Tanzania, the church remains standing but nearly all the houses were destroyed. Mennonite churches in Kisumu and Migori, Kenya, suffered excess rains. Flooding in Kenya continued to worsen throughout December with many deaths reported in northern Kenya.

The countries of the Sahel, particularly Mali, Niger and Burkina Faso, are in tension with ECOWAS. The risk of clashes still persists through threats from both sides.
—submitted by Siaka Traoré, MWC regional representative for Central West Africa

Pray for the spread of the Word of God. Some regions lack Scripture in their language or do not have ready access to copies of the Bible. Pray for resourcing provision.
Photo: Aaron Burden/Unsplash

Praise God for the peace process in Colombia, especially for the recent Roundtable in which Mennonite theologian Fernando Enns participated as a representative of the World Council of Churches. May the peace process lead to a just and lasting peace so Colombians can live in safety and hope for the future. Photo: Flavia Carpio/Unsplash

Pray for the young leaders participating in YAMEN (Mennonite Central Committee and MWC's joint exchange program). Several months into their program, the barrage of new experiences may become exhausting instead of exciting. Pray that they would cultivate friendships – in their placement location, back at home and with other program participants – to manage their homesickness. Pray that they would have the energy and curiosity to continue to make connections in their placement location: at church, in the neighbourhood and in their work.
Photo: Blessing service during Latin American YAMEN orientation in Guatemala/YAMEN

Pray for the churches in Northeast Asia: congregations in Japan and Hong Kong especially are aging. Pastors are retiring. Pray for a living spark to renew churches and to draw younger people to choose to follow Jesus in the fellowship of others.
Photo: Tottori Mennonite Church/Atsuhiro Katano