Pray for Guadeloupe and Martinique on Sunday, August 9, 2015

Pray for Guadeloupe and Martinique on Sunday, August 9, 2015

2015_guad_service_2.jpegLectionary Selection: John 6:35, 41-51

Prayers for Guadeloupe and Martinique:

Bread of Life,

We give you thanks on this day for the work of our sisters and brothers in the Reformed Protestant Church of France in Guadeloupe and Martinique. We give you thanks for their spirit of love and compassion, particularly towards those in prison and those being released from prison. We pray that their work and ministry will continue to be fruitful and guided by your spirit. On this day, we also pray that:

  • The church building project will progress so that the Reformed Protestant Church in Guadeloupe will have a safe and welcoming worship space for generations to come.
  • The church will continue to expand partnerships within Guadeloupe, Martinique, and beyond in order to strengthen current ministries.
  • The church will create new projects and programs to better serve vulnerable populations in Guadeloupe and Martinique.
  • Those within prison and those exiting prison would experience God’s love and presence through the work of the Reformed Protestant Church.

We ask for all of these things in your name, knowing that as we put our trust and hope in you we will never thirst or be hungry again.

Amen.

 

2015_guad_service.jpegMission Stewardship Moment from Guadeloupe and Martinique:

He came in one week and shared with the group that his sister had been in a car accident with her boyfriend. The boyfriend had already passed away and the sister was in the hospital, fighting for her life. It’s a difficult situation for anyone to go through, but one that is magnified when you’re stuck in prison and unable to be by your sister’s side. Even more so when you discover that it will likely be impossible to attend her funeral if she doesn’t survive.

2015_guad_service_3.jpegI had planned a lesson for our weekly Bible Study, but upon learning this news I threw it all out the window. Instead, we read some Psalms, talked about a God who stops to be with us, who knows us, and who loves us. We prayed prayers of healing and hope, and sang “Sanctuary” over and over again. The presence of the Holy Spirit was palpable as we worshiped from inside the walls of the 200+-year-old prison.

On that day, more than anything else, he needed to hear about the Bread of Life. He needed to hear about a God who sees him, who loves him, and is experiencing the pains of loss and worry with him. He needed to know that he was not alone and that his sister was not alone. He needed the Gospel.

For this story and for so many others, I give God great thanks for the work of the Reformed Protestant Church of France with those behind bars in Guadeloupe and Martinique. 

(Prayer and Mission Moment by Beth Guy)

Mission Partners in Guadeloupe and Martinique:
The Protestant Reformed Churches of Guadeloupe and Martinique

More information on Guadeloupe and Martinique: http://www.globalministries.org/guadeloupe

Global Ministries Missionary in Guadeloupe and Martinique:
Bethany Guy serves as a Global Mission Intern with the Reformed Protestant Church of Guadeloupe. Her appointment is supported by Week of Compasssion, Our Churches Wider Mission, Disciples Mission Fund and your special gifts.