CPA Praying Together – September 2021

Please join us and feel free to pass on to friends.

In these unprecedented times in which we are living, feel free to use this short update to help you pray for our friends in Africa. 

With so much turbulence going on around the world it’s easy to feel swamped and somewhat overcome. At times like this Psalm 33:20-22 helps me refocus: 

‘We put our hope in the Lord. He is our help and shield. In him our hearts rejoice, for we trust in his holy name. Let your unfailing love surround us, Lord, for our hope is in you alone.’ 

May the Holy Spirit help you as you express both thanksgiving, but equally deep concern, for our friends, partners, beneficiaries, and their situations. Can I encourage you to allow thoughtful silence to aid your prayers this month. 

Let us begin,

Jehovah Shalom, Lord of Peace, we pray for those currently living in isolation, violence and fear. May they know your presence in their isolation, your peace in their turmoil, and your patience in their waiting. Prince of Peace, you are powerful and merciful.

Ethiopia:

We recently received wonderful news form our friend and partner Beletew who informed us that 10 girls from the school in the Afar region, which we support, have passed their university entrance exams (quite possibly a first for the region) and will be making their way to various Universities throughout the country.

Please pray:

  • For their families as they feel joy in seeing their daughters succeed in this way.
  • For the safety and wellbeing of the girls as they venture away from their local communities and into the wider world.
  • Giving thanks for the long-term benefits and effect that will arise because of this opportunity the girls have. 
  • For the two girls and their families who didn’t make the grades for university entrance, that they will find employment.
  • Giving thanks for the generosity of those who have supported the work of the school and are helping with the costs of the girls attending university.
  • For a blessing on the teachers and support workers who have assisted the girls on this journey.

Beletew writes: “Therefore praise be to God this is a great achievement. Let’s pray for these girls to keep studying well. Afar grows and changes!!!”

Recent days have seen an increase in ethnic violence in both the Oromia and Afar regions. Please continue to pray for a de-escalation of this conflict and the ‘Shalom’ of God to prevail.

Uganda:

Uganda remains in full Covid-19 lockdown. The vaccination programme has been modified to double vaccinating people who have had the first jab, while withholding any new first jabs until they get more supplies of the vaccine. 

The result is that many of the people we know are still waiting for their first. This includes the social workers at Rukungiri.

Currently Uganda has 119,544 reported cases of covid-19 with 2,985 resulting deaths. Very concerning are the 21,097 active cases with 356 people in a critical position.

Please pray:

  • For the social workers as they visit the families and communities that they feel a responsibility and compassion for.
  • Continue to lift the families who have concerns over meeting their basic needs, with the added pressure of having children at home who would under normal circumstances be at school. 
  • For the children who have either not been to school or have been pulled from going to school due to the latest full lockdown.
  • Giving thanks that Julius and his family are currently well.

Madagascar:

Media Headlines like, “Madagascar is on the brink of experiencing the world’s first “climate change famine”, according to the United Nations, which says tens of thousands of people are already suffering “catastrophic” levels of hunger and food insecurity after four years without rain”, are beginning to immerge. 

People are resorting to eating locust and cactus leaves. Some are dying from starvation and families are having to sell land to buy food that has hiked three to four times in price.

At this time can I encourage you to take time to consider how you can best pray and what actions you can take.

Thank you for praying with us.