PRAY WITH THE WORLD CHURCHPRAYERS AND REFLECTIONS FROM THE ANGLICAN COMMUNION

17 February – 15 June 2019

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Please note that the views expressed do not necessarily

represent the official position of USPG.

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USPG is the Anglican mission agency that

partners churches and communities worldwide

in God’s mission to enliven faith, strengthen

relationships, unlock potential, and champion

justice. Founded in 1701.

THE PROPHETIC VOICE OF THE CHURCHAs Christians we are called to speak up and to speak out. In short,

to be prophetic.

This prophetic voice arises in the heart of God and flows out into

all of Creation. It is most fully expressed in the life and teaching

of Jesus Christ, and it is through the Holy Spirit that we are

drawn deeper into the prophetic heart of God.

To be prophetic is to ‘tell forth’, which involves challenging

injustice and standing up for the poor, the widow, the orphan

and the alien. We know that the Old Testament prophets

were often unpopular because they challenged the people to

remember justice and mercy and walk humbly with God.

The prophetic voice calls us to change for the better – to change

our attitudes, our lifestyle, even our beliefs.

Today, many prophets can be found throughout the world church.

These voices are challenging because they alert us to issues we

might want to ignore. But these voices cannot be silenced – they

call us to be like Jesus, who stood on the margins, comforting the

oppressed and challenging those who are comfortable.

The prophetic voice of the world church is the focus of our study

course this year and of the prayers and reflections within this

prayer diary. So let us open our ears and be open to change.

And may we be inspired to find our own prophetic voice.

The Revd Duncan Dormor, General Secretary, USPG

17 – 23 FEBRUARY

GHANAThis article is based on a report prepared by the Anglican Church

of Ghana on its Integrated Health Intervention Project (IHIP).

This programme aims to reduce the instances of

communicable diseases such as malaria, pneumonia and

diarrhoea in Ghana. It is run by the Anglican Church of Ghana

in the Diocese of Cape Coast and the Diocese of Sunyani

using an integrated community-based approach. In Cape

Coast the health team works across the community in schools,

churches, child welfare clinics and door-to-door to implement

the programme.

Last year the health teams visited schools to educate the

pupils on ways to help prevent malaria and diarrhoea. When

they returned this year they were pleased to find that pupils

had gone home and told their parents what they had learned,

which they then put into practice.

As a result of the impact that the health teams are having

on the school children, head teachers organised to spend

time directly with the parents themselves. This has meant

that they are able to ask more detailed questions about

what their children have told them at home and improve

their health.

Sunday 17 February: The Third Sunday before Lent

Gracious God, teacher of wisdom,

and healer of community,

Guide us to know our need,

that we may find our strength in you and be blessed.

Monday 18 Pray for the peoples of Ghana, for Ashanti, Ewe,

Fante, Ga and Dagomba, that their peaceful co-existence may

ever deepen and unify.

Tuesday 19 Pray for the Dioceses of Cape Coast and Sunyani,

that USPG’s support of clergy and lay training will reap benefits

and see the growth and flourishing of church congregations.

Wednesday 20 Pray for the Integrated Health Intervention

Project of the Anglican Church in the Dioceses of Cape Coast

and Sunyani, that its multi-disciplined approach will build

community and improve health.

Thursday 21 Pray for the schools’ programme run by the

Integrated Intervention Project in Cape Coast, that its

involvement of children as educators on infectious diseases

will pay dividends for years to come.

Friday 22 Pray for health team workers and Head Teachers,

that they work creatively together with pupils and parents to

reduce the spread of communicable diseases.

Saturday 23 Give thanks for the effectiveness of Ghana’s

Integrated Intervention Project, for the partnering of different

institutions and agencies to improve public health through

education on disease.

24 FEBRUARY – 2 MARCH

JAMAICAFrom the Anglican Togetherness Group (ATG) about a parenting

course, that was part funded by USPG, run in Jamaica.

In Jamaica the issue of parenting is at the forefront of

social consciousness in all spheres and levels of society.

The problems that can occur from family breakdown, child

pregnancies and poor parenting techniques have been shown

to be key factors in the social problems and their associated

costs to society.

This programme focuses on a training course for facilitators

to experience the importance of creating a safe space for

parents to share experiences of family life and strengthen

family communication, trust, respect and shared values. The

facilitators then use this to conduct parenting classes within

their own communities.

The programme aims to highlight the impact of their

own upbringing on people’s parenting techniques and skills;

to teach about the normal stages of child development

so children aren’t punished for normal behaviour; and to

encourage and explore more positive approaches to parenting

without recourse to physical and emotional punishment.

We hope that those who undertake the classes will use this

with all generations of the family, to improve relationships for

children and families, and create a positive impact on society.

Sunday 24 February: The Second Sunday before Lent

God, our Father, forgive our ignorance of self and others

and show us a way to love both.

In our faltering steps towards you may we discover

a parent’s love that eases fear and stills the storm

and gives us grace to do the same.

Monday 25 Pray for the people of Jamaica and its diaspora living with a history of colonialism and slavery, that they may find strength in their independence and pride in their culture.

Tuesday 26 Pray for Jamaican society and for families weighed down by social and economic pressures, that an awareness of good parenting will lead to positive changes in behaviour.

Wednesday 27 Pray for parents struggling to understand their children and for children grappling with growing up, that they may find ways to communicate and build up trust.

Thursday 28 Pray for the parenting training courses run by the Anglican Togetherness Group, that its trainee facilitators will use their new-found skills to teach effective parenting within their own communities.

Friday 1 March Pray for the facilitators of parenting classes, that they may encourage self-awareness and an understanding of child development to reduce the use of physical and emotional abuse.

Saturday 2 Give thanks for USPG’s part funding of the parenting training course run by the Anglican Togetherness Group and for the recognition of the importance of good parenting.

3 – 9 MARCH FIRST SPECIAL WEEK FOR LENT

INDIA: Adapted from an article by Rt Rev Probal Dutta, Deputy

Moderator of Church of North India, Bishop of Calcutta and

Moderator’s Commissary to the Diocese of Durgapur.

The Hebrew word for prophet is navi and they were thought

to be the mouth of God, a spokesperson or persons

appointed by God to proclaim His message to the world.

For the church in India to remain a beacon for its people it

needs to re-ignite its brilliance in mission in three ways:

The mission to social justice, speaking out against

corruption, caste discrimination, violence against women,

human trafficking and other injustice.

The mission to preach the word of God in regional languages

and dialects, so that all can hear and understand the message.

The mission to witness, in solidarity with the marginalized

and oppressed by living with them to witness their pain and

their lives. Serving them so they can be liberated.

Prophetic mission is not an easy task, but it is a vocation

and a responsibility. As tradition teaches “You are not obliged

to complete your work, but you are not at liberty to quit it”.

India needs prophetic religious living, to be creative, dynamic

and patient with challenges and misunderstandings as we

trust in God’s divine plan.

Sunday 3 March: The Sunday next before Lent

Merciful God, reveal yourself through your Church

that the world may know you

through the message she proclaims and know your love

through the justice she requires.

Monday 4 Pray for the Church in North and South India that it

will continue speaking up for those whose voices are not heard

and be a prophetic voice calling the unjust to repentance.

Tuesday 5 Pray for the Church in its mission for social justice,

that it will never tire from challenging a world that loses sight

of the poor and ignores the oppressed.

Wednesday 6: Ash Wednesday Pray for the Church in its

mission to stand alongside the powerless, that it is faithful in its

witness to our equality before God, remembering we are each

but dust and to dust we shall return.

Thursday 7 Pray for the Church in its mission to preach the

Word of God, that its commitment to speak in languages and

dialects its hearers will understand will be honoured, and the

gospel will be heard.

Friday 8 Pray for Church leaders to have faith and courage in

the face of difficulty, that they may find strength to suffer with

Christ and be changed into his likeness.

Saturday 9 Give thanks for the commitment of the Church in

India to the marginalised, for its faithfulness to the gospel and

its witness to the gospel’s power to change and save lives.

10 – 16 MARCH LENT 1: COMMUNITY

INDIA: This article is based on a report on the Institute of Pastoral

Management (IPM) run by the Church of South India.

In India pastors have many responsibilities and are trained

to lead worship. However, many lack the leadership

experience and practical skills that their congregation

expect and need of them.

The Institute of Pastoral Management provides training

on subjects such as legislation, administration, personal

development and financial management. Many of these

Pastors work in rural areas where literacy rates are low and

there is a great need for them to share these skills with

others in the community and give appropriate guidance.

One way in which these skills are taught is through Bible

Studies where participants are helped to read the Bible

passages from a management perspective. In this way Rev

E. Prabhaker, a Pastor from Medak Diocese has gained the

confidence to run Bible Studies for rural youth and women.

Participants from the programme have expressed their

increased confidence to serve their communities and

to be able to deal with issues that arise, or change their

administration practices so they are complying with the law.

Sunday 10 March: The First Sunday of Lent Gracious God, when our world feels like a wilderness

and we are tempted to bury our head in the sand,

help us to know our weakness and your power to save,

that we may turn our eyes to the light to discover fresh

insights and new paths and be renewed by a change of heart.

Monday 11 Pray for Church of South India’s Institute of Pastoral

Management (IPM), that the support and training it provides

for its Pastors will enable them to be more effective ministers.

Tuesday 12 Pray for trainers at the Institute of IPM, that their

practical knowledge and teaching expertise will enable them to

pass on a wide range of admin and financial skills.

Wednesday 13 Pray for Pastors working in rural areas, that

they offer appropriate guidance to people with little education

and are able to share with them the practical skills they have

been taught.

Thursday 14 Pray for the creative use of Bible Studies in

teaching managerial skills, that fresh thinking will lead to

widening participation on the programme, and benefit women

and rural youth as well as men.

Friday 15 Pray for the communities served by Pastors, that

newly learnt skills and a changed outlook will increase their

confidence and their faith.

Saturday 16 Give thanks for the work of the Institute of Pastoral

Management, for all who have participated in it and all who

have benefited from the knowledge passed on.

17-23 MARCH LENT 2: INJUSTICE

INDIA: Article by the Anti Human Trafficking (AHT) Programme

in the Diocese of Durgapur, Church of North India.

Shyamol and Shefali, neighbours in the small village of Haryana,

travelled together to Delhi with the promise of finding work. As

arranged, they were met in Delhi by a woman called Jayanti who

told the neighbours they had jobs in different places.

A year later, Shefali returned home alone which made

Shyamol’s father suspicious. He asked Shefali why Shyamol

had not come back with her. Shefali said she didn’t know where

Shyamol had gone.

In desperation, Shyamol’s father visited the Diocese of

Durgapur’s Anti Human Trafficking (AHT) office, in Kaliyaganj,

to ask for help.

AHT staff travelled to Haryana to speak to the village head

and other villagers. Then, convinced that Shefali and Jayanti

had trafficked Shyamol, they put pressure on them to return

Shyamol in 45 days to avoid being taken to court.

Finally, in February 2018, Shyamol was returned. He had

been trafficked for a large amount of money to a place where his

owner forced him to take care of cows and buffalos, feeding him

only one meal a day. If he complained, he said his owner and his

friends would beat him. Shyamol is now safe at home with his

family thanks to the AHT team.

Sunday 17 March: The Second Sunday of Lent God of Justice, you weep over our destruction

and call your people from slavery to freedom.

Deliver us from the bonds of inertia that we may open our

eyes to oppression and work with one another to build a

world where all are valued, all are free.

Monday 18 Pray for all victims of trafficking, that they may

find safety from exploitation and their dignity and sense of

self-worth are restored.

Tuesday 19 Pray for all who live in poverty and long for the

security of job and home, that their needs are addressed by

governments and their hopes realised.

Wednesday 20 Pray for those who work with people vulnerable

to trafficking, that their dedication to educate and inform, will

empower those whose freedom has been taken away.

Thursday 21 Pray for those who exploit the misery of others for

their own gain, that they may turn from selfish gain and with

renewed heart work for the common good.

Friday 22 Pray for ourselves when we fail to notice the world

around us, that we may grow in awareness of our neighbour

and reach out to one another in times of need.

Saturday 23 Give thanks for the work of the Anti Human

Trafficking Programme in the Diocese of Durgapur, for the

dedication of its staff and for lives transformed through their

intervention.

24-30 MARCHLENT 3: GENDER

INDIA: The Skills Training Programme for Women and

Girls, in Kurnool, is an initiative of the Nandyal Diocese, the

Church of South India. Mr Sushanth, trainer in computer

education, reports:

Sowjanya comes from a semi-urban part of Kurnool. When

she was still a child, the sudden death of her father left her

mother caring for the family alone.

At the time, Sowjanya’ s mother was working for one of

CSI’s missionary schools, earning just enough to take care of

the family.

Sowjanya – the eldest of three siblings – completed her

schooling but due to her lack of skills she was unable to get

a job. However she never lost hope in God. She signed up for

the Skill Training Centre, attended all her classes and soon

learnt computing, tailoring and English, along with Bible

studies which helped Sowjanya to discern God’s plan for her.

Her tailoring skills mean she can now earn money to

support her family. And, with her new confidence, she passed

a teacher training exam, so she also has even greater options.

Sowjanya said: ‘From the bottom of my heart, I offer warm

greetings to USPG and heartfelt thanks for bringing colour

into my life.’

Sunday 24 March: The Third Sunday of Lent

God, our mother,

you brood over your children,

as a hen her chicks.

Open our hearts to caring

and our minds to learning

that we may nurture a vision of a world made whole.

Monday 25 Pray for women who hold families together in the

face of trauma and hardship, that they may be strengthened in

faith and find solidarity in one another.

Tuesday 26 Pray for children whose education is curtailed

through poverty and for girls whose educational needs are

often seen as secondary to boys, that governments may

prioritise schooling for all.

Wednesday 27 Pray for all places of education, that they may

seek to broaden the minds and skills of those who seek to

learn and offer a vision of a fairer world.

Thursday 28 Pray for places of employment, that they may

be free from discrimination and prejudice and employer and

employee may work together to ensure fairness for all.

Friday 29 Pray for the Women’s Skills Training Centre in

Kurnool, that the training it provides may teach skills that will

change the lives of women and young girls for the better.

Saturday 30 Give thanks for our God-given imaginations that

seeks solutions in the face of problems and for the creative

spirit that inspires our vision of what is possible.

31 MARCH – 6 APRIL LENT 4: CLIMATE

INDIA: The Church of South India’s Green Schools programme,

is inspiring a new generation to care for the environment.

We train students to observe and watch nature. This is the

best education we can give them because nature will reveal its

treasures to the students. Observing nature with respect and

curiosity will change their mindset, which is the primary goal of

the Green Schools programme. We aim to catch the students

when they are young and give them training in sustainable

values in the hope that this can start to solve the present

ecological crisis. Interestingly, we’ve noticed that primary

school students respond better than high school students.

We also organise training for teachers and clergy in the

dioceses. Mona Robert, a teacher at Dornakal Diocese High

School, said: ‘The sessions inspired me. From now on I would

like to read the Bible keeping ecology in mind. I was impressed

by the significance of tigers, the guardians of the forest, and

how they are [badly] treated. Also, because water is the main

resource for all living beings, it should be used carefully, so we

have to educate people about this.’

In Medak Diocese, teacher K Hepsheba reported: ‘We

learned how everything in the universe is interrelated. If we

care about nature, nature will care for us.’

Sunday 31 March: The Fourth Sunday of Lent Creator God,

the heavens declare your glory

and the earth your generosity.

Forgive our exploitation of your gracious provision

and through your bountiful goodness

guide our efforts to be better stewards of your creation.

Monday 1 April Give thanks for the created world in all its

beauty and fragility, for the divine imagination behind it and

for our senses to appreciate it.

Tuesday 2 Pray for a greater sense of wonder and humility

in the face of creation, that we may seek to connect with the

earth and be sensitive to its fine tuning.

Wednesday 3 Pray for forgiveness for our share in humanity’s

greed and subjugation of creation, that we may learn to tread

gently on the earth and protect it for future generations.

Thursday 4 Pray for our children and young people as they

discover the world they inhabit, that their curiosity be kindled,

their understanding nurtured and their care for creation ignited.

Friday 5 Pray for teachers and clergy in their responsibility to

teach respect for the earth, that they may lead by example

and inspire a change in attitude towards environmental care.

Saturday 6 Give thanks for the Church of South India’s

Green Schools programme as it educates a new generation

to understand the impact of human behaviour on the

environment.

7-13 APRIL HOPE

Article based upon a report from Let My People Go programme,

which is run by the Church of North India Synodical Board of Social

Services (CNISBSS) to support marginalised Dalit and tribal people.

Tagori’s story: For a long time, Tagori and her husband Sumit

struggled to make ends meet and look after their ten-year-

old son. With no land of their own, Sumit struggled to find

work as a day labourer, so some days there would be no

income. They couldn’t afford decent food and clothing – and

there seemed little prospect of being able to support their

son’s education.

Unable to borrow from relatives or neighbours, Tagori met

Nayami Pramanik, a Community Enabler with the Diocesan

Board of Social Services (DBSS) for Barrackpore Diocese, who

guided and encouraged her.

Tagori joined a DBSS self-help group and with their help,

Tagori took out a small loan to start a fishing business.

Tagori hired a pond, some fish, fishing nets and fish food.

Six months later Tagori was able to harvest fish and sell them

at market. She repaid her loan and bought a bicycle and a

television set for her family. Tagori’s fishing business is doing

well. She told us: ‘I am now more confident and have decided

to hire more ponds locally to continue growing my business.’

Sunday 7 April: The Fifth Sunday of Lent Marginalised God, despised and rejected by men,

you know the cries of the poor and the hurt of the weak.

In your mercy, save us from pity.

Rather, galvanise us to action that we may walk in

solidarity with those for whom we pray.

Monday 8 Pray for marginalised peoples who lack access to

steady work and fair pay, that their plight may be recognised,

and their concerns addressed by those who hold power.

Tuesday 9 Pray for the Dalit of India and all born into

poverty who live with daily prejudice and rejection,

that they may discover their worth, find their voice and

campaign for change.

Wednesday 10 Pray for a greater understanding of those

who are pushed to the margins of society, that we may grow

in awareness of our own prejudices and become agents of

change for a more just world.

Thursday 11 Pray for the Church of North India’s Let My People

Go programme, that its resolve to free Dalit and tribal peoples

from bondage may never tire and my daily be renewed.

Friday 12 Pray for Barrackpore’s DBSS’s community enablers,

that they may build up confidence in the people they serve to

enable their self-help and transformation.

Saturday 13 Give thanks for the gift of small loans and the

generosity of trust that enable fresh starts, giving people a

chance to build a business and provide for their family.

14 – 20 APRILPALM SUNDAY / HOLY WEEK

INDIA: USPG is supporting the Delhi Brotherhood Society’s

(DBS) Women’s Helpline, which is providing pastoral support and

counselling to help families to resolve issues of gender violence or

marital discord.

Meera’s story: Meera, aged 35, has been married 17 years.

She and her husband Lalit, 47, a driver by profession, have four

children. Lalit was abusive in the marriage, and he married

another woman and tried to throw Meera and their children out

of the home. Lalit’s mother supported him so that Meera had no

support and was in great distress.

Then a friend directed Meera to the DBS run Women’s

Helpline programme. Meera met with their para-legal staff in

Mandoli, who visited the home and warned Lalit to stop, but

as soon as they left Lalit beat up Meera again. The helpline

team visited again and told Lalit he could be sent to jail if he

continued to mistreat his wife, after which he became cautious

and stopped harassing his wife, and even his mother backed off.

Meanwhile, Meera found a job as a cook, so that she is able to

support her family.

Meera’s husband now knows that he can not evict his wife

and children, nor can he attack her. This is a huge relief to Meera

and she’s thankful to the Women’s Helpline.

Sunday 14 April: Palm Sunday Vulnerable God, you chose the way of the servant king,

bearing our pain and humiliations.

Give us grace to hear what we see and to see what we hear

that we may bear each other’s crosses

and share each other’s load.

Monday 15 Pray for those in abusive marriages, who live in fear

of violence and manipulation, that they may find strength in

friendships and a renewed sense of their own worth.

Tuesday 16 Pray for the Delhi Brotherhood Society’s Women’s

Helpline and for the pastoral support it provides, that those

offering counselling will be sensitive to what they hear and wise

in their advice.

Wednesday 17 Pray for women vulnerable to eviction and for

their children, that they find support, are made aware of their

legal rights and are empowered to take control.

Thursday 18 Pray for men prone to violence and abuse in

their relationships, that they may be given insight into their

behaviour and challenged to change.

Friday 19 Pray for the Women’s Helpline team of visitors

subjected to volatile situations, that they may be given courage

in their work and persistence in pursuing justice.

Saturday 20 Give thanks for the dedication and professionalism of

the staff of the Women’s Helpline, for the support that they offer

vulnerable women, and for lives changed by their intervention.

PRAY WITH THEWORLD CHURCH

Lusophone Network: Give

thanks for the Anglican

Church in Portuguese

speaking countries.

17 February – 15 June 2019

Jamaica: Pray for

the church’s work to

promote family life.

Ghana: Pray

for the church’s

integrated

health projects.

Tanzania: Pray for the

church’s ministry to

reduce HIV and AIDS.

Melanesia: Give

thanks that the

Church in Melanesia

is a beacon of hope.

Bangladesh: Give

thanks for the Christian

Mission Hospitals.

India: Give thanks for

the prophetic voice of

the churches.

Malawi: give thanks for

the church’s community

engagement.

Myanmar: Pray for

community health

workers in rural

communities.

PROCMURA: Pray for

good relations between

peoples of different faiths.

21 – 27 APRIL

BANGLADESH: COMMUNITY HEALTH The Nursing Institute of the Christian Mission Hospital in

Rajshahi, Bangladesh, is offering a scholarship programme,

through USPG-support, to give young people from poor families

a rare opportunity to study and find employment. Principal Mary

Bithika Halder reports on one of the students:

Sujon’s story: Sujon, aged 18, grew up in Ashkar village in a

Christian family. His father is a rickshaw puller, his mother is

a housewife, and he has one brother.

Sujon started receiving support from the Church of

Bangladesh at an early age. He started in a play group at a

mission school, then attended a non-government school

before going to high school. Because his family was so poor,

Sujon relied on his schools to cover his fees and supply him

with stationery.

After leaving school, Sujon studied at a college, for which

his father struggled to pay the fees. Sujon eventually took on

extra work as a day labourer to help support his family.

Today, Sujon is very grateful because he has a scholarship

to attend the Nursing Institute (NI). With financial help from

NI, his father is now better able to support his family.

Sujon came third in his class in his first exam at the institute

and is looking forward to completing his studies and finding a

job as a nurse.

Sunday 21 April: Easter Sunday Risen Christ, roll away our stones

that we might find life in the darkness we dread,

in the losses we carry, in the memories that hurt

and discover your power to recreate and make all things new.

Monday 22 Pray for the Church of Bangladesh, Christian Mission

Hospital in Rajshahi, that it will continue to be a beacon of light in

the area it serves, offering care and compassion, life and hope.

Tuesday 23 Pray for the Mission Hospital’s Nursing Institute,

that its training programme will provide its student nurses with

the medical knowledge and the pastoral skills needed to carry

out their work.

Wednesday 24 Pray for the successful introduction of the

Institute’s Scholarship programme, that it will give young people

from poor families the life-changing opportunity to train as nurses.

Thursday 25 Pray for poor families struggling to make ends meet,

that they may know the support of the Church in Bangladesh and

be encouraged in their efforts to aid one another.

Friday 26 Pray for student nurses studying for their exams

and for those seeking employment, that their efforts will be

rewarded, and their future work secured.

Saturday 27 Give thanks for the financial support USPG

gives to the Mission Hospital and its programmes, and for

the lives transformed through the Nursing Institute’s offer of

scholarships to poor students.

28 APRIL – MAY 4

PROCMURA Story shared by Joy Wandabwa of PROCMURA on Christian and

Muslim relations in Kenya, written by Bishop Stephen Kalunyu,

Nica Mission Diocese.

One of the areas of work of the Programme for Christian – Muslim

relations in Africa (PROCMURA) this year, was to focus on

the Isiolo interfaith Network on peaceful coexistence between

Christians and Muslims in Isiolo County, Kenya.

The inter-religious tension in the town of Merti dates to

1993 when there was a dispute over a burial ground, and later

disputes over schools and education heightened the tensions.

This area of Kenya faces high levels of radicalization due

to its strategic position as a ‘Gateway to Northern Kenya’ and

proximity to the fragile states of Ethiopia and Somalia where

there is a heavy presence of suspected sleeper terror cells.

This means that there is a great need for cohesion and peace,

and for inter-faith tensions and intolerance to be resolved.

The County Commissioner asked PROCMURA to work with

inter-faith leaders and organisations to try and restore peace

between Christians and Muslims. PROCMURA sent Bishop

Stephen Kalunyu and Sheikh Dhabaso to hold an inter faith

dialogue meeting with the community.

Since that intervention there has been more tolerance in the

community, and Christians and Muslims are living more peacefully.

Sunday 28 April: The Second Sunday of Easter God of unity, relationship sits at your heart.

Help us to listen to one another and to trust where we doubt,

that we may grow in understanding of what it means to be a

good neighbour and to build a community of peace.

Monday 29 Pray for PROCMURA, working to establish better

relationships between Christian and Muslim communities in

Kenya, that its vision of peaceful co-existence rooted in each

faith will be realised.

Tuesday 30 Pray for Kenya and neighbouring Ethiopia and

Somalia in the face of increasing extremism, that their

governments may work together to combat radicalisation and

the establishment of terrorist cells.

Wednesday 1 May Pray for a greater unity between Christian

denominations, that their leaders may share in negotiating for

peaceable relationships with their Muslim neighbours.

Thursday 2 Pray for children caught up in inter-faith conflict, that

education will be prioritised over local disputes and teachers may

be schooled in conflict resolution and peace promotion.

Friday 3 Pray for leaders working with the Isiolo interfaith

network on peace negotiations, that they may listen well, be

sensitive to complexity and wise in their decisions.

Saturday 4 Give thanks for the establishment of the Isiolo

interfaith Network and the commitment of its leaders to promote

religious tolerance for the sake of peaceful co-existence.

5 – 11 MAY

BANGLADESHArticle by Senior Nurse Gillian Rose, at the USPG-supported

Bollobhpur Hospital.

We have a new intake of nursing students every six months.

I started this many years ago when the bishop urged me to

give more girls a chance of training – and the system has

worked well.

Our senior students recently sat their final examinations

and all passed well. Dr Alok, from the government hospital in

Meherpur, conducted the exams and was pleased with all the

students. Meanwhile, the seniors, who sat their final exams

six months previously, gathered to collect their hard-earned

certificates and say goodbye.

Then it was time for a new group of students to arrive, with

boxes and bedding, eager to begin their training. The majority

are Santal – marginalised tribal people from the north of the

country – and there are also a few girls from the Oraw tribal

people, who also have little opportunity to access training. The

Santal girls are mostly Christian and the Oraw girls are Hindu.

On the wards, the days rush by with routine clinics, hard

work, patients to be admitted and cared for, and tiny new

arrivals hoping for a warm space in an incubator. Most

incubators double up to provide care for two babies, including

three recent sets of twins.

Sunday 5 May: The Third Sunday of Easter God of endings and beginnings, for whom all life is precious,

Protect those who nurture the living and watch over

the dying. Grant us wisdom to know when to hold on

and when to let go that at the last we may find our

home in you.

Monday 6 Pray for the Bollobhpur hospital in Bangladesh

and for all who live, work and rest within its walls that it

will continue to be a place of care and compassion, hope

and healing.

Tuesday 7 Pray for the Church of Bangladesh’s support of

Bollobhpur Hospital, that its time and interest in the hospital’s

mission will help to build community relations.

Wednesday 8 Pray for all involved in training student nurses,

so that their professional expertise may continue to be passed

on to their students long after they have qualified.

Thursday 9 Pray for nurses from the marginalised Santai and

Oraw peoples, that their successful training at Bollobhpur

hospital will provide a model for widening participation and be

replicated elsewhere.

Friday 10 Pray for the babies in Bollobhpur Hospital, particularly

those in need of incubator space, that their medical needs will

be met despite the challenge of insufficient equipment.

Saturday 11 Give thanks for the staff and students of Bollobhur

Hospital, for all their training programmes, and for the many

lives that have been changed.

12 – 18 MAY

USPG SHORT-TERM PLACEMENTS Article by the Revd Cathy Scoffield, from Barnstaple, North Devon,

who was on placement in Honiara, on the Solomon Islands, with

USPG’s Expanding Horizons programme for clergy, ordinands and

church workers.

I spent time at four Anglican orders, including the Sisters of

Melanesia, of which I am an associate member so this was a

particularly rich and rewarding experience. I joined them for

worship, spent mornings teaching the 35 novices, and taught

library skills. I was also invited to preach and celebrate at the

Eucharist, which was a profound experience.

All the women’s orders I visited had training centres for

novices, which help women to gain education as girls are

sometimes kept at home to look after younger siblings.

Melanesia is a beautiful but challenging place to live. The

churches and religious orders stand out as beacons of hope,

offering encouragement to local communities.

For me, this placement was a remarkable Melanesian

pilgrimage – a chance to experience the true love of God

that I’ve always found when spending time with Melanesian

visitors to the UK. Throughout my visit, I felt a sense of

wonder at being part of the great global Christian community,

drawn together by the depths of God’s love.

Sunday 12 May: The Fourth Sunday of Easter God of Surprises,

when we make you in our image,

challenge our narrow vision.

Open our eyes, expand our horizons

and make all things new.

Monday 13 Pray for the Expanding Horizons and Journey with

Us programmes and all who participate in them: that eyes

and ears will delight in difference and hearts and minds will be

drawn together.

Tuesday 14 Pray for the people of Melanesia and the islands

they inhabit, that the generosity of spirit and resilience of the

islanders will be both a guide and an inspiration to visitors.

Wednesday 15 Pray for Anglican orders in the Solomon Islands

and that the hospitality offered by the Sisters of Melanesia, will

be a means of outreach and mutual enrichment.

Thursday 16 Pray for the educational initiatives of the Anglican

women’s orders in the Solomon Islands, that their training

centres both widen the horizons and expand the skills of the

novices they seek to serve.

Friday 17 Pray for those who travel to Melanesia, that their

experience will inspire faith and a growing understanding of the

transforming love of God.

Saturday 18 Give thanks for the global Christian community and

for opportunities to expand our horizons.

19 -25 MAY

TANZANIAArticle based on a report by the Church of Tanzania’s Prevention

of Mother to Child Transmission of HIV (PMTCT) programme.

Jesca’s mother died from AIDS-related illnesses when Jesca

was just 10 years old. Jesca was brought up by her father, who is

HIV-positive and on anti-retroviral treatment.

Nobody knew that Jesca had also been infected through

mother-to-child transmission of HIV.

At 19, Jesca married Wema, an entrepreneur from Mvumi,

which is one of the locations where we run our Prevention of

Mother to Child Transmission of HIV (PMTCT) programme.

In August 2016, five months pregnant, Jesca received a

home visit from one of our community health workers, who

advised her to attend one of our clinics in Mvumi.

When Jesca and Wema were tested for HIV, Jesca was

found to be positive whilst Wema was negative. Jesca feared

this would be the end of her marriage, even her life, but she

was reassured by her husband and our staff that life could

continue as usual. Jesca was given treatment on our PMTCT

programme, and her baby Happy was born HIV–negative.

Follow-up tests when the child was 18 months old,

confirmed that Happy remained HIV-free! Jesca and her

husband are thankful to the Anglican Church of Tanzania’s

PMTCT programme for assuring good health for their baby.

Sunday 19 May: The Fifth Sunday of EasterIncarnate God, born of a woman;

bring to birth in us compassion

that we might embrace each other’s story and find our own.

Monday 20 Pray for all who live with HIV and AIDS in Tanzania

and beyond, that they have access to medical treatment and the

support of loved ones in times of sickness and difficulty.

Tuesday 21 Pray for those who have lost loved ones to AIDS

and for children orphaned by the disease, that they may find

comfort in one another, care from their communities and

support from their government.

Wednesday 22 Pray for those living in fear of HIV and its

stigma, especially women bearing children, that they find the

courage to be screened for HIV to safeguard their child’s life

and their own.

Thursday 23 Pray for the Church of Tanzania’s Prevention

of Mother to Child Transmission programme, that its work

to raise awareness of the dangers of transmitting HIV while

pregnant will bear fruit.

Friday 24 Pray for the programme’s community health workers

working with pregnant women and their partners, that their

knowledge, skills and sensitivity will help save lives.

Saturday 25 Give thanks for the advice and treatment

offered by the Prevention of Mother to Child Transmission

programme, for lives saved through anti-retroviral medication

and for children born free of HIV.

26 MAY – 1 JUNE

MALAWI: ACMCII Lives are being transformed by self-help groups started by the

Anglican Council of Malawi Community Integrated Intervention

Project (ACMCII).

Maureen has a son whose father didn’t want to marry her, so

she was living with her elderly parents. As an active member

of the local Anglican church and community, she was invited

to help run a local self-help group started by the Anglican

Council of Malawi Community Integrated Intervention

Project (ACMCII).

Four years on, Maureen describes how her life has

improved: ‘Being a single young mother aggravates poverty

and stigma. One of my roles is to make sure our volunteers

visit target households and submit reports. I also help to

mobilise community members to attend meetings. And I

participate in decision-making.

The programme has helped me to provide for myself and

my child. I established a home garden and sell the surplus. We

now have vegetables throughout the year. I also took out a loan

from the group to start a small business making and selling

doughnuts. The most significant change is the peace of mind I

now have. We offer each other support to overcome some of

our fears, and this helps me to keep me going. My parish priest

and the AMCII field officer have been very supportive.’

Sunday 26 May: The Sixth Sunday of Easter God of community, you gather us to yourself and to one

another that we might become one body. Help us to

recognise each other’s gifts and to encourage their sharing

that together we may build up the body of Christ.

Monday 27 Pray for the Community Integrated Intervention

Project of the Anglican Council of Malawi, that its vision of

community building might be realised.

Tuesday 28 Pray for Malawi’s church and community leaders

as they seek to support the people they serve, that they

may work together to strengthen relationships and provide

encouragement.

Wednesday 29 Pray for Malawi’s single mothers who live with

social stigma and fear marginalisation, that prejudice will be

challenged, ignorance informed, and hearts and minds changed.

Thursday 30 (Ascension Day) Pray for those whose lives are

made vulnerable through poverty and lack of education, that

their potential is recognised, their gifts encouraged, and in your

ascended light, their lives changed.

Friday 31 Pray for the self-help groups introduced by the

Community Integrated Intervention Project, that participants

may be empowered by the training and loans they receive.

Saturday 1 June Give thanks for the good relationships between

parish priests, community leaders and field officers, and for

USPG’s financial and technical support of the Community

Integrated Intervention Project.

2 – 8 JUNE

MYANMAR Article by Ruth Pathi Paw, Health Co-ordinator of the Church

of Myanmar’s Community Health Programme.

Kar Rai, 25, comes from A-Lin-Wa Village, in Sittwe Diocese.

Her story shows the benefit of learning how to care for children.

When Kar Rai breastfed her first child, her milk was

crystal-clear, rather than white, so she assumed that

something was wrong and stopped breastfeeding. Then

the child died, which reinforced the idea that there was

something wrong with her milk. So she fed her next two

children with tinned milk only.

Koe Win, one of the Church of Myanmar’s village health

workers, noticed that Kar Rai was feeding her child with

tinned milk. Koe Win explained that breast milk was clear at

first and gradually became white, and that breast milk was

vital for helping to prevent disease.

Koe Win looked after Kar Rai for three days, ensuring that

she and her baby were in good health.

Koe Win first attended midwife training in 2008 and

has since undergone further training, funded by USPG, in

Jamkhed, India and shares her knowledge and experience

with surrounding communities.

Now Kar Rai is breastfeeding regularly and is very

thankful that Koe Win was able to share her knowledge.

Sunday 2 June: The Seventh Sunday of Easter Compassionate God, your son taught us

to see the world afresh.

When our thinking is tired, open our minds and guard our

mouths that we may gently share life in all its fullness.

Monday 3 Pray for the Church of Myanmar’s Community

Health Programme, that its work will continue to reap

benefits and see improvement in the population’s health

and well-being.

Tuesday 4 Pray for the Church of Myanmar’s village health

workers, that their training and knowledge of local matters

will equip them for the daily challenges they face.

Wednesday 5 Pray for those in Myanmar whose health is

compromised through poverty and lack of education, that

Myanmar’s government will prioritise the rights of all people.

Thursday 6 Pray for Myanmar mothers struggling to feed

their babies and for parents who have lost children, that

the Community Health Programme will offer life-changing

knowledge and support.

Friday 7 Pray for multi-nationals selling tinned baby milk, that its

use will not be promoted over breast milk and child health will

be put before profit.

Saturday 8 Give thanks for midwives and health workers

working to better the health of Myanmar’s people, and for

USPG’s funding of training and refresher courses in support

of their work.

9-15 JUNE

LUSOPHONE NETWORKDo not conform to the pattern of this world but be transformed

by the renewing of your mind. Then you will be able to test and

approve what God’s will is – his good, pleasing and perfect will.

(Romans 12:2). Article from Paulo Ueti.

This is the inspiration for the Lusophone Network as it moves

forward with connections, mutual support in ministry and

theological education, and praying for each other weekly. The

network is made up of Portuguese speaking churches from

Portugal, Brazil, Angola and Mozambique, with the aim to

deepen the communion between us.

At the moment prayer and support are needed for our

theological education and development work. The Churches

in Portugal and Brazil are currently sharing an on-line course

on Anglicanism, and the Church in Mozambique is working to

enhance its theological education.

Theology isn’t just an intellectual exercise but a ministry

too. As we work together we hope to equip ministers and

future theologians to stand for the values of the Kingdom

of God – justice, solidarity, reciprocity, grace, communion,

sharing, sustainability and love.

Sunday 9 June: Day of PentecostCome, Holy Spirit, breathe on us to bring us to life,

embolden us to think fresh thoughts, inspire us to work

in new ways and fire us up to proclaim the gospel,

that God’s kingdom comes on earth and his life grows

within us.

Monday 10 Pray for the Portuguese speaking churches of the

Lusophone Network, that each will inspire and resource the

other to deepen communion between them.

Tuesday 11 Pray for the Churches in Portugal and Brazil in

their endeavour to enhance their theological education, that

together they may deepen discipleship by their shared on-line

Anglicanism course.

Wednesday 12 Pray for those involved in theological education

in Portugal, Brazil, Angola and Mozambique, that their shared

wisdom and knowledge will enhance theological reflection.

Thursday 13 Pray for the Lusophone Network in its motivation

to better equip its ministers, that it will see the fruits of its

shared enterprise in the confident communication of the gospel.

Friday 14 Pray for continued growth in the sharing of the

Network’s resources, that theologians will emerge who can

undergird the kingdom values of justice, grace and love.

Saturday 15 Give thanks for creative thinking and sharing of

resources between the Portuguese speaking churches and for

renewed energy and commitment to contextual theology.

Our relationships with the world

church go back decades, and even

centuries in some cases. Together,

we are sharing God’s love among

those whose needs are greatest.

But the vital work of our partners

depends on your donations to

make it happen.

So please make a generous

donation to USPG so the

Churches of North and South

India – featured in our 2019 study

course – can continue to be the

hands and feet of Christ in the

communities they serve.

THE PROPHETIC VOICE OF THE CHURCHUSPG LENT APPEAL 2019

We’re supporting the Churches of North and South India as

they seek to be the prophetic voice in their communities.

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BE PART OF THE CHANGEAs a global Anglican mission agency, USPG seeks to enable churches around the world to act as hands and feet of Christ in the communities they serve – enlivening faith, strengthening relationships, unlocking potential and championing justice. Be a part of this mission!

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Thank you for joining with USPG and our

partners in prayer. We close this Prayer Diary

with a Dalit Prayer of blessing for us all:

The blessings of the Lord are with us.

Jesus’ love is also with us.

The spirit of unity is also with us.

Let us go bravely into the world

to fight the good fight for justice and truth.

Amen.