Prayer Alert

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.

Dear Sisters and Brothers,

today, we have received the request to pray for the victims of the landslide catastrophe in Rubaya from Rev. Dr. Jonathan Kavusa Kivatsi, President of our member church CBCA in D. R. Congo. Please join us in praying for them!

Need of prayer for Landslide affected people in Rubaya. 
Rubaya is a mining town located in the Masisi territory , province of North Kivu, in eastern Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC). It is known for its coltan, cassiterite, and tourmaline mines. It is situated approximately at 1° 33′ 29″ S, 28° 53′ 02″ E.
On Wednesday, January 28, torrential rains that struck the village caused a landslide, resulting in an estimated 200 deaths and 100 missing persons. The injured who have been found are receiving treatment at health facilities.
It should be noted that, in addition to artisanal miners, several victims of this landslide lived in camps located within the mining area, where they worked in trade, catering, and handling, supporting mining operations. Some victims were swept away by the waters of the Mumba, Osso, and Rushoga rivers, making the search particularly difficult. For the time being, mining activities in Rubaya have been suspended in order  to facilitate the search for victims. 
The CBCA humanitarian coordination team is working closely with UN agencies to monitor the evolving situation on the ground in order to clearly assess the potential humanitarian implications in the region. 
What appears first and foremost is that the survivors of Rubaya are psychologically affected and are in acute need of both spiritual and psychosocial support.
Therefore, while praying for peace in the East of Congo, please, intercede for the families grieving the death or disappearance of their members, and for those who have lost their livelihoods.
 

Prayer:

Oh Lord, hear our prayer for the people suffering from the landslide catastrophe in Rubaya. Please be with the families who lost their loved ones, and give support to those who are injured and comfort those who are traumatised by what they have seen and suffered. Please strengthen those people with helping hands and hearts full of compassion. Be with the people and hear their mourning. In Jesus’ name we pray. Amen.

Dear Sisters and Brothers in humanity,

please join us in mourning, lamenting and praying for everyone affected by the shooting at Bondi Beach in Sydney, Australia, during the celebration of Hanukkah on the 14^th of December. We stand in grief and solidarity with the Jewish community and all who are wounded, traumatised and afraid. Even when words are insufficient, we refuse to remain silent in the face of such violence and turn to God in prayer:

God of comfort and justice,

We pray for all who are in pain after this attack.

We grieve for those whose lives were taken.

We hold their families and communities before you.

Be near to all who are wounded, grieving, or living in fear.

May no one have to carry this pain alone. 

Strengthen our commitment to build a world in which Jewish people can live in safety and dignity and people of different faiths can live together peacefully.

Help us to hold on to goodness, courage, perseverance and hope.

Amen.

“Do not be overcome by evil, but overcome evil with good.”
Romans 12:21