Latest prayer reflection

Friday June 20, 2008

Thank you for sharing and praying with the worldwide Micah Challenge community. We hope this email is challenging, inspiring and spurs us on!

Reflection

‘God’s justice is not just about what is right and fair but is also about overwhelming generosity.’ Writes John Douglas from Micah Challenge UK.

‘God has gone to the lengths and detail of setting out an economic system that is fair and just with the goal of the economic balance he wants to see in society. God has not only considered the plight of the poor but also the responsibility of having plenty, giving clear instruction on how to honour him.’

Deuteronomy 15: 1-18 presents both the ideal situation and the present reality: ‘No one in Israel should ever be poor’ and ‘There will always be some Israelites who are poor and needy.’ But above all God instills generosity in the laws so that the people of Israel will reflect to the world the generosity they have been shown by their God.

‘If there was a far greater commitment, let alone from the G8 and all those other forces, if there was even commitment among the world Church to commit itself to some kind of fairness and justice and generosity, what a difference that would make and what a prophetic sign that would be.’

Please read The economics of generosity by John Douglas

Prayer

Let us pray:

that we and our church may be prophetically generous people!
Our National campaign prayer focus this week is for Micah Challenge India. Kuki Rokhum, the Coordinator for the campaign writes:

'Thank you so much for your prayers! There is a lot that can be done in India and we are facing tremendous challenges ahead of us so the prayers of the international Micah Challenge community are really appreciated.

Please pray for:

Effective implementation of our new strategy which we have planned for the campaign.
Good response and participation from churches and Christian instituations to our mobilisation efforts. We are pleased that the number of people signing the Micah Call is slowly increasing.
We are keen for our network of participating Christian networks and organisations, which join us in promoting Micah Challenge activities, will increase. Please pray for C.B. Samuel and Rev Richard Howell as they co-chair the steering and working committee.
Successful recruitment of a full-time assistant coordinator.'

The presidential run-off vote in Zimbabwe is scheduled for June 27. Please continue t pray for the country as it seems almost impossible amidst the political violence to achieve a free and fair vote.

Please pray:

For an end to the post-election violence and the restoration of peace.
For the increasing number of people who are struggling to survive, particularly those who are elderly, sick or vulnerable children.
That aid agencies can continue to provide food to those in most need.
Pray for the Christians in Zimbabwe to demonstrate the hope they have in Christ at a time when so many feel hopeless.
Pray that the international community continues to apply pressure for change from within Zimbabwe.
Tearfund UK produces regular Zimbabwe prayer up-dates, please click here to subscribe to them directly.

Reflecting on the statistic below: we praise God for the considerable reduction of the under-five mortality rate in many Sub-Saharan African countries and for the hope that this gives for further improvement of children’s health and life.

We pray for quick and efficient responses of the international community to the current food crisis so that food aid can arrive in time in countries where it is needed most.

Meditate on the Statistics

As you spend time in prayer and reflection, you may like to take a moment to silently understand with your heart the focus statistic we include each week (see below). Our hope is that you will find this series of statistics a useful resource in preparing presentations.

Goal 4: Reduce child mortality

Target 5: Reduce by two-thirds, between 1990 and 2015, the under-five mortality rate

‘In four of the world’s least developed nations, Eritrea, Ethiopia, Malawi and Mozambique, under-five mortality rates have been reduced by 40 per cent or more since 1990.’

‘The global food crisis could reverse some of the progress Africa/place /> has made in bringing down child mortality. If more children become undernourished, that could contribute to additional child mortality.'

Source:

First quote: The State of World’s Children 2008 – Child Survival, UNICEF May 2008

Second quote: Ann Veneman, Executive Director of UNICEF, at release of report.

More info...

FRIDAY PRAYER SERIES LIBRARY

The reflections on integral mission and statistics featured in the Friday Prayer Series, have become a library of resources for preparing presentations, sermons and learning materials.

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