Pray with the Democratic Republic Of Congo, April 17, 2022

Lectionary Selection: John 20:1-18

Prayers for the Democratic Republic Of Congo

You are the God of Hope, the God of the empty tomb, the God that rolls the stones.
We have many stones in our lives that keep us from living freely and separate us from each other and You
Without noticing it, sometimes our hearts have become stone
In the Democratic Republic of Congo, the Congolese populations carry a lot of stones that are so heavy.

Stones that come from famine (The World Food Programme (WFP) and the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO) have warned of the food crisis affecting a quarter of the DRC’s population, nearly 27 million people).

Stones that result from armed conflicts, especially in the Eastern Provinces (People are fleeing their homes at a worrying pace, as worsening violence destroys lives and livelihoods across the country. 5.01 million people were displaced inside DRC. More than 2500 civilians were killed in three Provinces in the East of the country last year.)

Stones from injustice (Despite vast natural resources, the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) is one of the poorest countries in the world. In the DRC, one in four children is considered OVC (orphans and vulnerable children). – Site UNICEF)

So many stones. Too many stones!
You are the God of Hope, of the empty tomb.

God rose to roll the stones that hold back those who are hungry to live!
To restore hope to all human beings and to show us that there is no fatality.

By rolling the stones, You invite us to stand up against what oppresses and proclaim freedom.
You invite us to rise up against despair and share hope.
You invite us to protest against nonsense and communicate love.
You invite us to announce the joy of being resurrected and the happiness of living standing up.

If it is true that on Easter morning the stone was rolled, we beg you, come now and remove the stone that closes our hearts.

Amen! Hallelujah!

Prayer by Bryan Parrish

Mission Partners in the Democratic Republic of Congo

More about the Democratic Republic of Congo

Global Ministries Mission Co-worker in the Democratic Republic Of Congo:
Bryan Parrish serves with the Church of Christ in Congo. His appointment is made possible by your gifts to Disciples Mission Fund, Our Church’s Wider Mission, and your special gifts. Make a gift that supports the work of Bryan Parrish