We pray for the complex and difficult life circumstances that many women face in Latin America, and also for the children. Some of the problems that assail them include abuse and violence aimed at them, insufficient food, few educational possibilities, and few opportunities. May the Spirit of God inspire us to be light and act on behalf of the children and women. Amen.
—submitted by Adaía Bernal, Colombia
Photo: Karla Braun

Pray for Lewin Mennonite Bible Church who had to stop conducting their worship services at a member’s home because the rent was raised to a very high price that the congregation cannot afford to pay.
—submitted by Eladio Mondez, Philippines
Photo: Canva

Praise God that we can meet together as national churches to worship, fellowship and discern. We pray for the following national churches who are holding their annual general conference: 

• BIC Zimbabwe: 28-30 August 2023 at Mtshabezi Mission 
• BIC Mozambique: 27-30 July 2023 in Beira. 
• BIC Malawi: 10-13 August 2023 
• Communauté Mennonite de Kinshasa, DRC: 16-19 August 2023 (including new pastor dedication)

Church attendance has reduced as much as 50% since the pandemic in some places. Pray for spiritual revival. Pray for peace to prevail in the political area so that there will be meaningful development in all sectors of the economy.
—submitted by Sindah Ngulube, bishop, BIC, Zimbabwe
Photo: Monica Figueroa

Pray for the ministry through gospel magazines in India in many languages: Telugu, Hindi, Bengali, Oriya and Nepali.
—submitted by Raja Rao SomayaJula
Photo: MCI Singpur

Mexico and Central America face serious political and socioeconomic conflicts. These pose serious challenges to the mission of the church. Pray for the wisdom of the Spirit as churches use Anabaptist-Mennonite lenses to rethink how to live out their presence, mission and pastoral tasks.
—submitted by Willi Hugo Perez, MWC regional representative, Central America
Photo: Juan Francisco Novoa

With the ongoing war in Ukraine, Anabaptist-Mennonite churches are discerning in practical ways what it means to be a peace church. Pray for creativity and inspiration to live out the gospel of peace with wise words and effective actions.
Photo: Preshit Rao

In Burkina Faso, the security situation continues to deteriorate and the number of people killed and displaced is increasing. In this context, the government is asking the entire nation to contribute to the war effort through individual, collective, civil and religious mobilization. The Federation of Evangelical Churches and Missions (FEME) has asked its members (including the Evangelical Mennonite Church of Burkina Faso, EEMBF) to contribute to the war effort by setting an amount for each church. 

EEMBF president Calixte Bananzaro and Pastor Siaka Traoré (also of the EEMBF, and at the same time MWC's representative for Central/West Africa) are planning a meeting with the president of the FEME to explain the non-violent position of Mennonites which conflicts with this request. They ask for the prayerful support of the global church in these steps. May God prepare this meeting, and give wisdom and discernment to all in the discussion. 
— submitted by Anicka Fast, Secretary of MWC Faith and Life Commission, in consultation with Calixte Bananzaro and Siaka Traoré
Photo: Siaka Traoré and Calixte Bananzaro will represent the peace stance of Burkina Faso’s Mennonites in response to new military taxation. Photos provided.

God of mercy, Jesus our brother, Spirit our comforter, 

Grant to these brothers and sisters faith through daily hardships,  
hope amid challenges and dangers, peace despite violence,  
and encouragement to persist in faithfulness from the solidarity of the global family. 

We pray for all people of faith in this region who are persecuted for their beliefs. 
We thank you, God, for the servants you have and are equipping as ministers of the gospel.  
May you multiply the seeds for sowing and increase the harvest (2 Corinthians 9:10). 

Kyrie eleison, Lord, in your mercy, hear our prayer!
In the name of Jesus, our peace,