Pray for Morocco on Sunday, June 26, 2016
Lectionary Selection: Luke 9:51 – 62
Prayers for Morocco:
Loving God, thank you for your welcoming embrace. Your acceptance of our imperfection is ever an example for us to strive for. Forgive us when we fall short – when we are quick to reject and quick to condemn. Inspire us to spread your love even when it is not reciprocated.
Protecting God, watch over the people of Morocco. Shelter it from those that would inflict harm, and let it continue to be a country of peace.
Nurturing God, be with the Christian community of Morocco in this time of continuing growth and transition. Lend your wisdom to its leaders, and unify its members to become the diverse tool for your work that it is working to become.
Healing God, give us the compassion and the resources to care for our brothers and sisters in difficulty. Help each individual to find the solutions and the peace that they are seeking.
Help us all to learn from each other, to respect each other, and to realize what is truly important; let your priorities be our own.
We pray in the name of the migrant who loved us all more than we can comprehend,
Amen.
Mission Stewardship Moment from Morocco:
“He didn’t want to take his shoes off.” It was my first time in Oujda, Morocco – a city right on the Algerian border where many people cross into Morocco via clandestine routes; the border is officially closed to all foot and vehicle traffic, and there are fences and guards to enforce this. I was with a couple of the church volunteers who had just received 7 young men who had spent months on the road trying to reach Morocco. Having recently made their way into the country, they were referred to the church by an acquaintance to receive some basic food staples, fresh clothes, and blankets. They also were offered a chance to take their first shower in weeks at the church, and it was to this that the volunteer was referring as he told me about one of the young men.
He explained that the people who arrive here are often so used to living in a state of constant flight, that the simple act of taking off his shoes to bathe made the man uncomfortable. The mentality that he had grown accustomed to was one in which a person has to be ready to run at all times. One never knows when the authorities (or any number of other dangers) could arrive, and removing one’s shoes becomes a hazard. It is a vulnerability that a person cannot afford even while sleeping at night or – in this case – to take a shower.
The man in question was eventually convinced of his security, and they left the church feeling ever-so-slightly refreshed and reassured. Several of the group were present the following Sunday at the service, to hear about another man, many years ago, who traveled long distances and often had no place to lay his head.
(Prayer and Mission Moment by Tyler Reeve)
Mission Partners in Morocco:
Evangelical Protestant Church in Morocco
More information on Morocco: http://www.globalministries.org/morocco
Global Ministries Missionary in Morocco:
Tyler Reeve, serves with the Evangelical Protestant Church in Morocco. His appointment is supported by Week of Compassion, Our Churches Wider Mission, Disciples Mission Fund and your special gifts.