Pray with Colombia on Sunday, July 22, 2018

Pray with Colombia on Sunday, July 22, 2018

Colombia_Michael_Joseph_IMG_20171122_145401.jpegLectionary Selection: Mark 6:30-34, 53-56

Prayers for Colombia:

Loving God,

Today we pray for the country of Colombia and our partners in mission there. Guide them as they continue to work for the full implementation of the peace accords that have brought terrible fighting to an end. Encourage them as they prepare for a new presidential administration that has spoken out against the peace accords. Show them a way forward for the peace talks between the government and the ELN guerrilla.

Colombia_Michael_Joseph_IMG_20171126_103853.jpegMay your compassion, oh Lord, be known through the work of our partners as they minister to the millions of internally displaced persons in Colombia, as they work for the reintegration of former combatants into civilian life and as they speak out for restorative justice and reconciliation even in the midst of ongoing violence. May your healing touch be felt in their lives and seen through their ministries.

We thank you for the witness of Justapaz and of the Peace Commission of the Evangelical Council of Colombia. Watch over them and give them strength as they witness to your peace with justice in Colombia.

Colombia_Michael_Joseph_IMG_20180405_110424.jpegMission Stewardship Moment from Colombia:

Over the past twelve years Justapaz, the Mennonite Center for Justice, Peace and Nonviolent Action and the Peace Commission of the Evangelical Council of Colombia (our partners in Mission) have documented the impact of Colombia’s civil war on the minority Colombia_Michael_Joseph_IMG_20171122_130429.jpegProtestant church sector. By training volunteers from churches all over Colombia, they have documented more than 10,000 human rights violations.

In December 2016, after over five years of negotiations, the Colombian government signed a peace accord with the FARC rebels (the largest guerrilla group in Colombia). The peace accord calls for the creation of a transitional justice court (to try war crimes), a truth commission and a unit to search for the tens of thousands of disappeared. Right now Justapaz is actively working with numerous communities of victims of the war across Colombia to prepare their cases for these three transitional justice opportunities.

Colombia_Michael_Joseph_IMG_20170913_163513.jpegBuilding peace, after fifty years of armed conflict, will take many, many years. Through Global Ministries we can support these brave efforts. May the families of the disappeared find their loved ones, may victims experience restorative justice and may the truth of the conflict lead us to reconciliation and peace. 

(Prayer and Mission Moment by Michael Joseph)

Mission Partners in Colombia:

More information on Colombia: http://www.globalministries.org/colombia

Global Ministries Mission Coworker in Colombia:
Michael Joseph serves with CEDECOL – Concilio Evangelico de Colombia. His appointment is supported by appointment is made possible by your gifts to Disciples Mission Fund, Our Churches Wider Mission, and your special gifts.