CPA Praying Together – Through July and August 2021
Please join us and feel free to pass on to friends.
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.
I have found myself recently thinking about how much influence a nation’s leader has on the poor. His or her decisions carry huge implications for the betterment or demise of those etching out a living on the edges.
Jesus, who is our ultimate example of good leadership, took a towel and a bowl of water and washed the feet of his followers, including the one that would betray him.
We read in John’s gospel:
You call me ‘Teacher’ and ‘Lord,’ and rightly so, for that is what I am.  Now that I, your Lord and teacher, have washed your feet, you also should wash one another’s feet.  I have set you an example that you should do as I have done for you.
Let us now pray for those in positions of leadership and that they would adopt a heart of service for all. I have chosen just a few who have influence in the areas close to our hearts at CPA.
Ethiopia:
By most accounts the situation in Ethiopia is not getting any better. Let us focus our prayers on Ethiopia’s leadership and in particular its Prime Minster, Abiy Ahmed. The current leadership amongst others includes:
- Abiy Ahmed: Prime Minister (Head of government and commander in chief of the armed forces) who won the Noble Peace prize in 2019 for bringing the war with Eritrea to an end.
- Sahle-Work Zewde: President (Head of the state of Ethiopia, the position is a ceremonial one)
- Demeke Mekonnen: Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs
- Muferiat Kamil: Minister of Peace
- Getahun Mekuria: Minister of Education
- Filsen Abdulahi: Minister of Women, Children and Youth
- Lia Tadesse: Minister of Health
We pray for a softening of hearts and stances. We ask for a church that would be a beacon hope at this time.
CPA has had the immense privilege to partner with many over the years in various parts of Ethiopia. We would appreciate your prayers on how our partnerships should develop in the future.
Uganda:
Uganda has recently been struggling with a huge increase in Covid-19 cases and is in the middle of a full lockdown for 42 days. This is directly impacting our Partners, friends and beneficiaries.
In mid-June we received the deeply shocking news that our friend and partner Bishop Benon Magezi passed away from contracting Covid-19. This has huge implications for all those who were recipients of his desire to see Christ’s love shared throughout the North Kigezi Diocese.
Bishop Benon and his team have been instrumental in our partnership with the poor in the district. We lift his family and all those grieving his passing. Please pray for those who were working closely with him and that the spread of Covid-19 would be contained.
Pray also for the caretaker Bishop Rt. Rev. Patrick Tugume, who has stepped out of retirement to take on the position until another Bishop can be appointed. We pray that our partnership will continue to benefit those struggling in the Diocese.
Currently schools are closed across Uganda due to the resurgence of Covid-19. Please continue to pray for the children and families affected.
As dreams have been dashed or put on hold, futures are unknown, there are extra mouths to feed and more uncertainty abounds, we ask you Father to be close to the broken-hearted and those crushed in spirit, as you promise. (Psalm 34:18).
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.