Prayer Alert

Dear Sisters and Brothers,

today we ask for your prayers for our brothers and sisters in Mindanao, Philippines. 

"God is our refuge and strength, an ever-present help in trouble." — Psalm 46:1

On the morning of June 8, 2026, at 7:37 AM, a powerful magnitude 7.8 earthquake struck near Maasim, Sarangani Province, causing extensive destruction across the Southeast Mindanao, Philippines. The earthquake severely affected homes, livelihoods, churches, schools, public infrastructure, and community facilities, leaving thousands of families displaced and vulnerable. The disaster has resulted in 35 casualties, a rising number of injuries due to a series of aftershocks, and many who are still missing.

The disaster has disrupted access to food, water, shelter, healthcare, and essential services. Many families have sought refuge in evacuation centers and open spaces due to the continuing fear of aftershocks. The emotional and psychological impact of the disaster is also starting to manifest, particularly among children, women, older people, and people with disabilities.

Let us pray.

Almighty God, our Creator, Redeemer and Sustainer

With heavy hearts, we come to You, grieving for the people of Mindanao, Philippines. We steadfastly believe that You are the healer of the brokenhearted and the protector of the vulnerable. We cry out for Your mercy and protection in the midst of this disaster.

We pray for comfort for the families who lost their lives. We ask for a miracle for those who are still missing; guide the search and rescue teams to find them swiftly and safely. We pray for healing to the many who have been injured, and provide comfort, warmth, and security to the thousands of families crowded into evacuation centers and open spaces. As they stand in desperate need of food, clean water, medical aid, and shelter, we pray for Your divine providence and sustenance.

Lord, we also pray for your protection especially the children, women, the elderly, and persons with disabilities; calm the terrors caused by the ongoing aftershocks and protect their minds and hearts from lasting trauma. Strengthen the local authorities, emergency personnel, aid workers, and pastors who are providing comfort. Make them beacons of hope, provision, and light during this dark hour.

In the face of uncertainties, we stand firm on You, our Unshakable Rock. In Jesus' mighty and compassionate name we pray, 
Amen. 

Dear Sisters and Brothers in Christ, dear UEM Partners,

Today we ask for your prayer and solidarity for the people in Ituri and in North Kivu Provinces. We have received the following information and prayer request from Rev Dr Kavusa Kivatsi Jonathan, President and Legal Representative of our member church CBCA: 

Grace and peace to you in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ.

On behalf of the Communauté Baptiste au Centre de l’Afrique — CBCA, I would like to express our deep gratitude for the continued solidarity, partnership and commitment of the United Evangelical Mission family toward the churches and communities of the Democratic Republic of Congo.

We urgently appeal for your support in the fight against the Ebola Virus Disease, following the resurgence of Ebola in Ituri and North Kivu Province. This new outbreak represents a serious public health emergency, threatening vulnerable communities already affected by insecurity, displacement, poverty, limited health infrastructure and difficult access to humanitarian assistance in both provinces.

According to the information available to our health and diaconal departments, the outbreak has exposed many people through community contacts, funeral practices, population movements and the high density of people in mining areas such as Mongbwalu. The situation is further complicated by insecurity, poor road conditions, limited communication networks, misinformation and community resistance caused by fear, trauma and misunderstanding of the disease.

The current April-May WHO reports record a total of 256 cases, while 57 deaths were recorded so far. This new Ebola virus is unrelated to previous strains that DRC has experienced. There are no medication and no vaccine available up to now. Research continues, and while awaiting, the only action to take is prevention by applying barrier measures to break the chain of disease transmission.

In this context, the CBCA has prepared an emergency plan for the prevention and response to Ebola in the affected health zones. The plan aims to contribute to stopping the spread of the virus, protecting communities and strengthening local prevention mechanisms.

The main planned actions include:

1. Community awareness through local dialogues, educational talks and community health workers; students and local leaders,
2. Training of pastors, teachers,  church leaders and community leaders on Ebola prevention measures;
3. Distribution of hygiene kits to schools, health facilities, local churches and public parking areas;
4. Installation of handwashing facilities in strategic public places,  schools and churches,
5. Promotion of barrier measures such as handwashing, wearing masks and early reporting of suspected cases;
6. Support for surveillance, follow-up and communication in coordination with local health structures;
7. Radio messages and public awareness campaigns through local media and social networks.

These activities will directly benefit local communities, churches, schools, health facilities, displaced persons, pregnant women, children, and families affected by the outbreak. The President and Legal Representative has issued a sensitisation message to raise awareness about this new Ebola virus. This message is being spread through churches, social media, schools and solidarity groups to reach more people.

Dear partners, the fight against Ebola is not only a medical emergency; it is also a pastoral, diaconal and human responsibility. As the body of Christ, we are called to protect life, accompany the vulnerable, comfort those in fear and work together so that communities may be preserved from further suffering.

We therefore kindly ask for prayer and solidarity support to enable this emergency response to be implemented without delay. Your support will contribute to save lives, prevent further transmission and strengthen the resilience of communities facing both disease and insecurity.

Prayer:

Dear God, 
you see the suffering, mourning and the fear caused by the new spreading of Ebola virus. We ask you to be with the victims: heal the infected people and comfort those who have lost family members and friends. Give strength to all those fighting against a further spreading of the disease, to the doctors, pastors, teachers, community workers, and other people. We ask you to guide and protect the people affected in Ituri and North Kivu of DRC, in Uganda and beyond. 

Amen.

Dear Sisters and Brothers, all beloved in Christ,

in these days of escalating violence in the Middle East, we are invited to stand together in prayer. We pray as sisters and brothers, holding before God the suffering of all who are affected.

Let us pray for peace and for an immediate ceasefire - for the silencing of weapons and the protection of life.

God of everlasting peace,

We cry out to you for all who are caught in fear, violence and uncertainty.
Protect lives and homes.
Be near to those who mourn, to those who are injured, to those who are displaced.

We pray especially for children, for the elderly, for all who have no shelter and no safe place.
Comfort those who grieve.
Strengthen those who care for the wounded.

We ask for wisdom and courage for those who make decisions.
Turn hearts away from revenge and destruction.
Open paths toward justice, dignity and lasting peace.

God of the suffering and the afraid,
stay close to all who feel powerless.
May your Spirit sustain hope where despair is growing.

In your mercy,
hear our prayer.

Amen.