We pray for the MC Canada congregations and pastors who are recovering from the pandemic. Attendance at worship has decreased and many pastors are feeling tired and uncertain about the future, yet we have hope that God is doing a new thing in this time. While new ways of being the church are beginning to emerge, many still grieve what was. Pray that we may have the to humility admit our longings to God the courage to follow Jesus to the place where the church in Canada will be renewed.
—submitted by Doug Klassen, executive minister, Mennonite Church Canada
Photo: Sam Abhinav
Prayers of Gratitude and Intercession
We pray for the many suffering in the Middle East. We pray especially for safety and inspiring encounters for a Mennonite Central Committee learning tour to Lebanon.
Photo: Windhi Arsari
We pray for the youth in Europe. It is difficult for them to find hope and a future under the threat of many crises. Some develop psychological illnesses, especially those affected by the horrors of war.
Photo: PerdianTumanan
We pray for our brothers and sisters in South Korea after the tragic death of more than 100 young people in a crowd in Itaewon. May God equip Mennonite Church South Korea and Korean Anabaptist Centre to live out peace in a militarized country.
Photo: Alexandro Marthin
While the world may continue to look for weapons to bring about peace and justice by force, we know that true and lasting peace can only be accomplished through unceasing prayers. As we look to Jesus Christ, the Prince of Peace, let us pray for hearts to be changed and for the weapons to be silenced. Throughout history, God has changed hopeless and dire situations in surprising ways, and God can do it once again. And let us also pray for healing and for reconciliation, and that Russia and Ukraine could live in peace as independent, sovereign nations.
—from the World Evangelical Alliance call for prayer for Ukraine
Photo: Justian Trisnandi
Creator God,
Thank you for the glory of trees in autumn.
Red, orange, yellow: the changing leaves remind me to stop and to wonder at the everyday miracle of changing seasons.
This fall beauty is giving me new eyes to pay attention to all the wonders you have made.
The majesty of your creation is all around us.
Today, I pray also for renewed eyes to see the glory of your image that is found in one another as we work together to respond to a changing climate.
May we be able to see your transforming power as we listen to one another, pray with one another, and engage in actions together to care for your precious creation.
Just as the changing season reflects another aspect of your glory, may we also find space to wonder and praise in our response, together.
Amen
—Anna Vogt (Canada), Creation Care Task Force
Photo: Karla Braun
The new government in Colombia has expressed the intention of initiating conversations with the various armed groups to bring an end to their armed action. It has also taken steps to normalize relations between Colombia and Venezuela. Pray that both initiatives will create conditions for a better life for people.
—submitted by Paul Stucky, MWC regional representative for Latin America – Andean region
Photo: Juan Francisco Novoa
“Remember your leaders, those who spoke the word of God to you; consider the outcome of their way of life, and imitate their faith.” (Hebrews 13:7)
Lord God, thank you for calling and equipping leaders to serve the church in humility and grace. May we support them with our prayers and through encouraging words and actions.
#pastorappreciationmonth
Pray for infrastructure development for our congregations and capacity building of our prospective leaders in Uganda. Pray for ability to reach out to the unreached in our communities
—submitted by Simon Okoth, Mennonite Church Uganda
Photo: Henk Stenvers
We pray for the Lord´s provision for the work of living out the good news. May God awaken us to his mission. May we have eyes, hearts and hands ready to receive new projects and new workers that God raises up.
Photo:Windhi Arsari
We pray to be able to reach people locally in Paraguay and to support each other among churches and local conventions.
—submitted by Clemens Rahn, Asociación Hermanos Menonitas, Paraguay
Photo: Windhi Arsari
Lord have mercy! God of love, show your grace to the children in Myanmar who are affected by war. Minister to their hearts and spirits so that the chill of fear and the root of bitterness will not take hold and poison their futures.
Jesus, bring conversion and repentance to the leaders and the soldiers of the civil war in Myanmar. May they see the suffering they are inflicting begin to re-evaluate their goals and strategies.
Spirit of God, walk alongside the church members who are displaced and suffering, and the pastors who are ministering among them. Assure them of your steadfastness.
Amen!
Photo supplied
Pray for solidarity, fellowship and discernment as leaders of European churches prepare to gather in person at the end of October. Praise God for the ways Mennonite organizations have cooperated across barriers to respond to the war in Ukraine and refugee crisis in Europe. Pray for their continued hospitality to refugees in their regions.
—submitted by José Arrais, MWC regional representative for Europe
Photo: Henk Stenvers
We thank you, God, for Assembly!
Thank you for the opportunity to gather in person despite many barriers to cross.
Thank you for the chance to invite participants from around the world to join through their screens at home.
Thank you for the hospitality of our Indonesian hosts and for the lessons of interfaith harmony they modelled.
Thank you for all the staff and volunteers whose generous and cheerful service enabled the event to happen.
Lord God, nurture the relationships that have been planted through this event. Grow fellowship between our churches to strengthen us as ministers of reconciliation and beacons of shalom.
Photo: Loyce Twongirwe
Please pray for Disha, a YAMENer from India, who had a major stroke in July as she was about to complete her term in Cambodia. Disha’s condition is stable, and she has now been moved to a hospital in India, where she can continue her recovery and rehabilitation closer to the support of her family and church community. Please pray for her continued improvement and for her family and church community.
We pray for the churches and servants of God to be protected from persecution in India.
Photo: Sunderland Mennonite Church Dhamtari
We pray for a just peace in Ukraine. Pray for courage and perseverance for people in Russia who work for peace. Pray that refugees may find safety and welcome.
Associacão dos Irmãos Menonitas de Portugal (the MB church in Portugal) has been looking for a new place. Pray that God will guide them, and help them with the knowledge to deal with all this process and the funds to purchase another building.
Two of their churches used to function in different buildings: one used to be an African-based church, and the other Portuguese. Both are now uniting to become one. Pray that this process will be smooth and healthy and that will see spiritual fruits from it, especially unity and love. During the month of August, they will have outreach activities every Saturday in the new location of Massamá.
Pray that God will start meaningful relationships between the church and the neighborhood and that Christ will be known and accepted by many during the time. On 11 September 2022, they will have a big celebration to start the church year (which follows the school year): two teenagers will be baptized and there are more people interested. Pray for spiritual protection and that this day will be a day to witness Jesus to many of the non-believers that we intend to invite. May God bring some of them and impact their lives.
There are new and young leaders in our team of church leaders, pray that God will bring maturity, faith, encouragement, wisdom, and especially team spirit and unity, as well as training opportunities.
—ICOMB August Update
We pray that the churches may be instruments of peace, justice, and reconciliation for the people of Colombia.
Photo: José Antonio Vaca Bello, Ibagué Mennonite Church, Colombia.
We pray that Christians would seek the unity of the Spirit, showing grace and forbearance in a politically divided culture.
Photo: Tiz Brotosudarmo
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