Dear friends, please feel free to use this short update to help you pray for our friends in Africa.  

For the month of August, we specifically want to turn our attention and prayer towards the country and people of Ethiopia. I’ve asked fellow CPA director Paul Quincey, who over the years has made a significant effort to build the relationships we enjoy in Ethiopia, to put down some prayer pointers.  

Ethiopia (in general) 

  • An unprecedented 4-year period of drought driven by El-Nino continues across much of Ethiopia. 
  • Longer term issues of climate change also factor and affect people’s ability to plant and grow crops. 
  • Conflict among various political and military groups affects livelihoods and relief efforts. 

We pray for the Ethiopian government as it seeks to respond to the current situation 

  • Grant them wisdom and compassion in their discussions and actions. 
  • For peace to be restored across Ethiopia.
  • For an appropriate international response to the situation.
  • Media coverage so that this conflict is not lost amid other conflicts around the world.

Across the Rassa Goba region (the specific region we have been working in for many years) 

  • The communities known to CPA, including Sefi Beret, are currently under the control of FANO, a militia group who oppose the current Ethiopian government. Tension and sporadic fighting, not withholding the effects of the drought, are resulting in disruption of planting crops. Trading in local markets is difficult and new ways of obtaining food are having to be found. 
  • Many local people have lost their lives due to fighting among both groups. There are no medical services, and schooling is sporadic. Where possible, families have relocated, but this leaves the most vulnerable in an extremely dangerous situation. 
  • Compassion International and Voice in the Wilderness Organization continue to operate in a limited fashion. Travel in and out of these communities is very dangerous and makes any relief effort extremely challenging.  
  • We pray for peace to be restored. 
  • For dialogue and a resolution to be found so that normal life can be restored 
  • For the local church to find ways to support the wider community. 
  • For safety of the relief and aid workers in the area. 
  • For families grieving the loss of loved ones. 
  • For families separated due to the conflict. 
  • For acts of kindness instead of retaliation to be found across the communities. 

There are times when our resolve takes a battering. We become weary from the seemingly endless cycle of difficulties, from which we know that people are suffering. Our Hope is firmly in Christ, and a determination to see his will being done, fuels us to pray and support where we can. 

“O God, in whose image we all are made, give us hope that through the work of our hands, and with Jesus as our model, we may glorify you now and always. Amen” (Catholic Prayer)

May El Shaddai, the Lord God Almighty, who loves us, protect us and our African friends.  

May Jesus Christ His Son, who died for us, save us.  

May the Holy Spirit, who broods over the chaos and fills us with his presence, intercede for us and in us, for others at this time. 

Amen. 

Thank you so much for joining with us. We at CPA cannot do this alone.