Pray for Venezuela on Sunday, April 6, 2014
Lectionary Selection: John 11:1–45
Prayers for Venezuela:
O God, we pray for peace in Venezuela, by the liberating power of the Gospel. We believe in the power to struggle, affirm, and achieve a goal, the defense of life in the midst of so many contradictions in our human existence. In order to experience and see the glory of God requires that we seize the moment, this decisive unique opportunity of God’s presence. We must watch for the manifestation of God’s calls for concrete faith and trust in the liberating power of the Gospel from all oppressions.
When underlining the liberating power of the Gospel over oppression, we need to be reminded of our own call to work incessantly for peace and justice in concrete expressions of love. The clear message is the affirmation of the triumph of life over death, even when we are surrounded by so much suffering and pain. In Jesus Christ the Prince of peace we pray. Amen.
Mission Stewardship Moment from Venezuela:
The Evangelical Pentecostal Union of Venezuela (UEPV) made an option for the poor and for peace with justice from its foundation as a national autochthonous or indigenous Pentecostal denomination in 1957. Global Ministries has and continues to support the development of programs in areas such as education, agricultural projects, health programs, women’s struggles for justice and equality, solidarity with marginalized indigenous and afro-Venezuelan groups and the promotion of an intense peacemaking commitment well known in the public arena in Venezuela.
The Evangelical Pentecostal Union of Venezuela opted for an ecumenical commitment that included the foundation of a Committee for Justice in the 1970s, joining with progressive Catholics, Presbyterians, Independent and Charismatic churches in the denunciation of human rights violations and the promotion of justice.
During the recent conflict that sent a violent wave of confrontation with more than 39 deaths and many wounded citizens in the big cities of Venezuela, the Evangelical Pentecostal Union provided a message of reconciliation and peace, sharing a dimension of hope in local communities, trying to provide both a prophetic and a pastoral perspective of accompaniment and solidarity. As Presiding-Bishop Gamaliel Lugo stated recently, “we tried to follow Jesus in times of desperation, looking for the kairos moment of the good news of the Gospel for Venezuela.”
(Prayer and Mission Moment by Carmelo Alvarez)
Mission Partners in Venezuela:
More information on Venezuela:
http://globalministries.org/lac/countries/venezuela/
Global Ministries Missionary in Venezuela:
Carmelo Alvarez serves the Latin American Evangelical Pentecostal Commission (CEPLA) and the Evangelical Pentecostal Union of Venezuela (UEPV) based in Chicago, Illinois. He works as program consultant and visiting professor for the CEPLA and the UEPV.