Pray for Mozambique on Sunday, November 15, 2009

Pray for Mozambique on Sunday, November 15, 2009

Prayers for Mozambique: Mark 13:1-8

God of Grace, Mercy, and Truth:

We pause today to reflect on the country of Mozambique:  a country rich with history, culture, and your unfailing love.  We thank you for giving us the opportunity to travel, sa Sojourners, to explore the richness of your grace present in Maputo, with our partner churches, to share with your people who worship you “in Spirit and in Truth,” in justice through suffering, in compassion through action, and unwavering determination through peace.

There is no lack in Maputo’s love, spirit, and care for your people. When other cities and countries are rich in materialism, their spiritual abundance surpasses selfish greed, indulgence, and compromise.  Through your grace, continue to meet their basic needs.

We pray for the leadership of Mozambique; for their continued pursuit of peace.  We thank you for government administrators who worked to provide freedom of association, expression, assembly and movement, as well as equal and universal suffrage and the right to vote.  Your word encourages us and them to “Be still and know that you are God,” you will be exalted in the land. 

We pray for our church partners:  the Christian Council of Mozambique, the Mozambique Synod of the UCCSA, United Church of Christ in Mozambique; for their unity and spirit of cooperation with each other; to bring resources together for ministry and the movement of your work during hard economic times.

We pray for Ricalta Seminary; for education and equipping of present and future leaders; 

For health and education through the HIV Aids Project, we thank you for resources, advocacy, hope and healing for those who will receive the information needed and be transformed to life once again.

We pray for the CARAN School for Girls – as they reminded us “You are my mother, you are my father, please don’t forget about us.”  We pray for remembrance that would lead us to action, advocacy and support by “whatever means necessary” to give your daughters light, unconditional love, and hope for a future.

We pray for future missionaries to be sent forth to Mozambique, as a Disciples witness, and for the resources to make this partnership possible; to send those who have the call, passion, and heart to do ministry with our partners in ministries of justice.

And finally, we pray for the church mothers who loved us, provided for us, and allowed us to see a reflection of ourselves through their eyes, to claim our heritage as brothers and sisters in Christ, and to know that although oceans divided us, your Spirit connected us, and blessed us to be present with them for a while.

We pray these things in the name of the one who calls us to witness, in Jesus Christ, Amen.

 (Rev. Dr. Nadine Burton)

To read the journal of the Disciples New Church Start Pastors Pilgrimage to Mozambique and to view photos from the trip, click here: http://globalministries.org/news/africa/disciples-new-church-start.html

Global Ministries International Partners in Mozambique:

  • Christian Council of Mozambique: Christian Council of Mozambique is a Church based organization formed in 1948 by the main line churches like the Methodist, Anglicans and Presbyterians. Presently it constituted 22 different denominations both main line as well as small denominations including two Associations (The Bible Society and the Scripture Union). CCM works countrywide with offices in each province and in some districts, administrative posts and localities. 
  • Mozambique Synod – United Congregational Church of Southern Africa:  The Mozambique Synod is one of five synods comprising the United Congregational church in Southern Africa.  Its office is located in Maputo.  The synod is engaged in ministry in various districts throughout the country.  In recent years, the country has suffered from many natural disasters and the synod has been in the forefront trying to alleviate some of the suffering.  It has constructed new homes for the homeless and cared for hundreds of children.
  • Ricatla United Seminary: The United Seminary of Ricatla is an ecumenical theological institution in Maputo. It was founded in 1958 by a group of Protestant churches committed to creating a school where ministers can receive cross denominational training in an ecumenical setting.  The United Seminary of Ricatla has since graduated hundreds of ministers, both male and female, who have gone on to work in a variety of churches throughout the country. The ecumenical mission of the United Seminary of Ricatla is demonstrated in its practice of requiring students to complete their practical training in three denominations besides their own.  The Seminary also offers exchange programs and accepts students from outside Mozambique.  In addition to being respected for its theological training, the Seminary is well respected for the leadership and spirit of unity and understanding its graduates provide both among churches and in the communities in Mozambique.
  • United Church of Christ in Mozambique:  The UCC in Mozambique was founded in 1905. It is made up of 56 congregations with 20 ordained ministers. It has around 10,000 members.

Global Ministries Missionary in Mozambique:

None at the present time