Pray with eSwatini Sunday, December 1, 2019
Lectionary Selection: Matthew 24:36-44
Prayers for eSwatini:
Gracious and loving God,
You are Lord! You are the Lord our God in heaven above and on earth below. We honor you, for you are the God of our Praise!
Thank you for your Word that is spirit and life to us. Let it saturate our hearts, minds, and spirits so that we may hold fast to your promises as we journey through the joys and uncertainties of life. Daily, we are reminded that our lives here on earth, and the things of this world, are fleeting. Guide us continuously. Let us seek to be alert and watchful, and set our hopes on those things eternal through Jesus Christ, our Lord. Ignite our hearts and open our eyes of understanding to know that it is imperative that we remain in the position of readiness at all times because the Son of Man will come at an hour when we will not expect him.
Please pray for:
- Eswatini to continue to be a peaceful nation.
- The economy of Eswatini to improve and those in leadership to prioritize funds to attend to the needs of the people, so that the economic burden on families, communities, and church bodies will be lifted.
- Council of Swaziland Churches (CSC) obtains the resources to grow in influence and expand its reach in ministry and programs to meet the needs and expectations of the people.
- Victims of forced evictions and that this injustice will cease to exist.
- Elimination of violence against women and girls.
In Jesus name, we pray,
Amen
Mission Stewardship Moment from eSwatini:
“Passing the Candle”
On May 16, 2019, the Women’s Wing of the Council of Swaziland Churches (CSC) hosted a tree planting event in a continuation of last year’s theme of environmental protection. Songs of worship and praise were lifted as the women, and students at Vulamasango High School, planted litjies, dragon fruit, guava, and pawpaw trees on the grounds of the facility.
As shovels passed and people took their turn at digging, I thought about “the candle.” Every year, a candle is passed from the women of one member church to the other, to signify the transfer of the ministry’s leadership role to a new denomination. This year, the candle was passed from the Methodist Church to the Evangelical Lutheran Church. This allowed the Lutheran Church to take the helm in preparing for the Women’s World Day of Prayer and lay the foundation for the events of the New Year.
For years, the Women’s Wing has been active in ministry without a formalized structure. Concerns were addressed through the Women’s Desk under the Capacity Building Department of the CSC. After the department was closed in 2016, the women continued to serve in an ad hoc manner to address gender-related issues.
Today, the Women’s Wing has become an official structure, having been adopted in the last Annual General Meeting (AGM) of the Council of Swaziland Churches on May 23, 2019. The Justice, Peace, and Reconciliation (JPR) department is tasked with the logistics on how the Women’s Wing will function within the structure of the CSC in the days ahead.
Prayer and Mission Moment by Kahala Cannon
Mission Partners in eSwatini:
More information on eSwatini: https://www.globalministries.org/eswatini_swaziland
Global Ministries Mission Co-worker in eSwatini:
Kahala Cannon serves with the Council of Swaziland Churches (eSwatini). Her appointment is made possible by your gifts to Disciples Mission Fund, Our Church’s Wider Mission, and your special gifts.