Prayer Alert – All Africa Conference of Churches March 2021

Dear Brothers and Sisters in the ecumenical family,

Ecumenical greetings from the All Africa Conference of Churches. The All Africa Conference of Churches (AACC) invites each and every one of us to beseech our Lord for interventions in the following causes.

COVID-19
Thank God that God that Africa has still been spared the worst of the effects of Covid-19. Nevertheless, let us pray for the symmetry between science and faith because we believe both have an indispensable role to play in tackling this crisis. There have been many misleading theologies on Covid-19, leading to even death of unsuspecting believers. We are requesting for prayers for the success of the vaccination program in the continent, that Africa will get adequate and effective supplies of the vaccines it needs to end the scourge.

We are also asking for your prayers for God’s intervention in the following situations.

South Africa continues to bear the heaviest burden of Covid-19 in Africa, with infections hitting over 1.53 million currently, and deaths reaching 51,000. This is way above the second worst affected country, Morocco, with 488,000 infections currently, and, mercifully, only 8,700 deaths so far. Reports from Tanzania indicate that the situation has apparently worsened in recent times, and the country could be facing an upsurge in coronavirus-related infections and deaths.

CHURCH LEADERSHIP
A number of churches and National Councils of Churches have installed new following are the church leaders recently installed, including:

1. Rev. Xolani Maseko – Synod Secretary – The United Congregational Church of Southern Africa
2. Most Rev. Miracle Ajah – Principal Clerk – The Presbyterian Church of Nigeria
3. Mrs. Keziah Kargbo – General Secretary – Council of Churches in Sierra Leone
4. Rev. Godson Teyi Lawson – Kpavuvu – Conference President – Methodist Church of Togo
5. Rev. Emmanuel Mawulikplimi Ajavon – General Secretary – Methodist Church of Togo
6. Mr. Cephas Mensah – General Treasurer – Methodist Church of Togo

Let us pray that God grant them wisdom and courage to serve in their new responsibilities with dignity and effectiveness in the holistic calling they have entered.

AFRICAN LEADERSHIP
Let us pray for the following leaders elected at the 37th Summit of Heads of State and Government of the African Union on February 5-6, 2021:

• His Excellency President Felix-Antoine Tshisekedi, President of Democratic Republic of Congo, who was elected as Chairperson, Africa Union
• His Excellency Mahamat Moussa Faki, who was re-elected to a second term as Chairperson of the African Union Commission
• His Excellency Amb. Bankole Adegboyega Adeoye, who was elected as Commissioner, AU Peace and Security Council
  We pray that God gives them strength, courage and wisdom to work towards for positive reformation of the AU and full implementation of Agenda 2063: “The Africa We Want: integrated, peaceful and prosperous Africa.”

PEACE AND SECURITY
Sadly, conflict continues to wreak havoc among many communities in Africa, especially because of political tensions among leaders.
We are asking the ecumenical community to remember the following countries in prayer.

Senegal: Violent protests broke out in the capital, Dakar, after opposition leader, Ousmane Sonko, was detained on charges of rape. At least five people were reported dead, hundreds arrested, and businesses looted and burnt.

Algeria: Protests have resumed on the streets in recent weeks, with the authorities responding in the same repressive manner seen in 2019 and 2020. There have been numerous instances across the country where security forces have used unnecessary or excessive force and arbitrary arrests to suppress peaceful demonstrations. According to reliable information, hundreds of individuals have been arrested since the protests resumed on 13 February 2021.

Republic of Congo: The country goes to the polls to choose a new president on March 21, 2021. The contestants are incumbent president, Dennis Sassou Nguesso, and challengers Mathias Bzon and Guy-Brice Parfait Kolelas.

Central African Republic (CAR): Violence flared up in CAR in December 2020, when an alliance of armed groups launched attacks following rejection of former President Francois Bozize from running for president in elections scheduled for that month. People have been killed, and over 200,000 displaced.

Tigray Region of Ethiopia: The government of Tigray region in Ethiopia and the country’s federal government have been involved in violent conflict since November 2020. Thousands have been reportedly killed, and hundreds of thousands have fled their homes. The region is facing a humanitarian crisis.

Burkina Faso: Rival jihadist groups have engaged in deadly conflict in Burkina Faso for over several months now over territory and ideological differences. A million people have become refugees, and over 90 killed.

Nigeria: Let us keep Nigeria in prayers as it continues to face incidences of insecurity in the Northern part of the country with increasing kidnapping of children. Interfaith solutions are needed urgently.

“Trust in the Lord with all your heart; don’t rely on your own intelligence. Know him in all your paths, and he will keep your paths straight.” Proverbs 3:5-6