Pray with Fiji on Sunday, December 2, 2018
Lectionary Selection: Luke 21:25-36
Prayers for Fiji:
Creator God, Lord of the land and sea, we are grateful for the beauty of the world. We see your hand working miraculously in everything that we have touched and defiled because of our greed. The ocean used to roar in praise and awe at your marvelous and majestic work. But now it roars in pain, its surface becoming warmer evermore that it spews out unpredictable storms that have swallowed our people without mercy.
The land cries for help, bleeding from the exploitation of our governments and corporate organizations in the name of economic development. We are seeing the signs of our greed. For many of us in the Pacific, these are the last days. Our homes will be taken away by the ocean, our language, cultures, and identity will soon forever disappear from the face of earth.
But Lord, our hope is in you. Our strength is in our vulnerability. That when it seems like we have lost everything, we have a voice – a voice that swells deep from our weakness. Our conviction and faith in you causes us to rise despite our insignificance in terms of population, we rise, we rise above the odds and fight for our homes, our future generations, and our earth.
We pray Lord that you continue to be beside us, walk with us, swim with us, and cry with us. And may the day come that our tears be dried and hearts comforted, knowing that efforts are not in vain. This we pray in the name of Jesus, our Lord and Savior, who died to make everything new. Amen.
Mission Stewardship Moment from Fiji:
The Pacific Conference of Churches (PCC) have just concluded its 11th General Assembly in Auckland, New Zealand. The Assembly concluded with the adoption of six resolutions. The resolutions are: 1. PCC stands in solidarity with Tanah Papua (West Papua) in their fight for self-determination from Indonesia; 2. PCC stands in solidarity with Kanaky (New Caledonia) in their fight for independence from France; 3. PCC affirms the call to the Special Rapporteur of the U.N. Human Council to undertake a fact-finding mission in the territory of Maohi Nui (Tahiti) made at this year’s Fourth Committee of the General Assembly of the United Nations on Special Political Decolonization Affairs; 4. PCC reaffirms the important role of women in society at all levels, including leadership, and call on churches throughout the region to make specific provisions for our women and children to be part of decision-making processes at all levels. We also call for the equitable representation of women and youth in church leadership; 5. PCC condemns all forms of violence against women and children as a sin and call on the Christian community in the 
Pacific to ensure that the dignity of our women and children is protected at all times. And PCC calls for the development of specific theology in our colleges and churches to address the protection and dignity of women and children according to God’s holy law; 6. PCC recognizes the great damage which is done to our oceans and the creatures which dwell in them by our irresponsible use of plastics and Styrofoam. And we call on our member churches and all Christians in the Pacific to stop the use of single-use plastic bags, plastic straws and Styrofoam containers in their personal life and in church activities. We also call on our member churches to advocate with their governments to ban single-plastic bags and Styrofoam containers.
The PCC secretariat has been tasked to follow-up on these resolutions till their implementation. Global Ministries has been a faithful partner to the church in the Pacific. Your prayers and love will help some of our people free themselves from the bondage of colonization.
Prayer and Mission Moment by Niko Sopepa
Mission Partners in Fiji:
More information on Fiji: https://www.globalministries.org/fiji
Global Ministries Mission Co-worker in Fiji:
Niko Sopepa serves with the Pacific Conference of Churches in Fiji. His appointment is made possible by your gifts to Disciples Mission Fund, Our Church’s Wider Mission, WOC, OGHS, and your special gifts.