Pray for Colombia on Sunday, October 5, 2014
Lectionary Selection: Exodus 20:1–4, 7–9, 12–20
Prayers for Colombia:
Loving God, today we pray for Colombia, we pray for our neighbors, our brothers and sisters to the south. You freed the Israelites from the land of Egypt and from the bonds of slavery. Today Colombians are working hard to free their country from the bonds of war, drug-trafficking and violence.
- We lift up the peace talks between the warring factions who are negotiating in Havana, Cuba. May they turn their swords into plowshares.
- We lift up the leaders of the church’s Peace Commission. May they know peace.
- We lift up the youth who at great personal risk refuse to fight in their country’s war. May they be set free.
- We lift up all Colombians. May they one day sit under vine and fig tree with no fear.
Liberating God, thank you for the example of our Colombian sisters and brothers who hold steadfast to the promise of your kingdom come, on earth as it is in heaven. Bless them today as they seek to follow you. In Jesus’ name, amen.
Mission Stewardship Moment from Colombia:
Jhonatan Vargas is a youth leader at the Foursquare Church in the sweltering oil-town of Barrancabermeja in central Colombia. Jhonatan is an honors student majoring in engineering at the Industrial University of Santander. And as I write this, Jhonatan sits in a military jail cell because Jhonatan refused to go to war.
When Jhonatan was recruited against his will and they tried to train him he said that he wouldn’t learn how to kill or shoot a gun because it went against his Christian beliefs. This right to conscientious objection and religious freedom are enshrined in the Colombian Constitution, but the Colombian military doesn’t like it and fights against it. Many young C.O´s have been forced to join the army against their will.
Luckily for Jhonatan he found the support of Global Ministries partners, the Peace Commission of the Evangelical Council of Colombia and Justapaz, who provided him with pastoral care and a lawyer to fight his case. Jhonatan’s case went all the way to Colombia’s Constitutional Court, who ruled two weeks ago that the army must let Jhonatan go free. As a follower of the Prince of Peace he has the right to not go to war.
Lift up Jhonatan and other peacemakers in Colombia and around the globe and as we break bread on this World Communion Sunday pray faithfully for peace.
(Prayer and Mission Moment by Michael Joseph)
Mission Partners in Colombia:
More information on Colombia:
http://globalministries.org/lac/countries/colombia/
Global Ministries Missionary in Colombia:
Michael Joseph, a member of First Congregational Church, Washington, D.C., serves the Peace Commission of the Evangelical Council of Colombia (CEDECOL). He provides pastoral critical presence to church leaders and lay people who are living in life-threatening situations. His appointment is supported by Week of Compassion, Our Churches Wider Mission, Disciples Mission Fund and your special gifts.