Pray for Sri Lanka on Sunday, May 3, 2009

Pray for Sri Lanka on Sunday, May 3, 2009

Lectionary Text and Prayers for Sri Lanka: John 10:11-18

Please pray for peace and reconciliation between the Government of Sri Lanka and the Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam (LTTE) and the innocent people trapped in the middle of the war. The following excerpts from the Sri Lanka Statement on Peace, Security and Development in South Asia by the World Council of Churches (WCC), Christian Conference of Asia (CCA) and the South Asia Council of Churches (SACC), can be turned into prayer points as we ask the Good Shepherd to bring peace to God’s flock in the country of Sri Lanka:

  • Expresses deep concern over the continuously worsening humanitarian crisis in the northern parts of Sri Lanka;
  • Appeals to the Sri Lankan government and the LTTE to immediately stop the ongoing military operations to ensure safe passage arranged by credible and neutral agencies for those who are trapped in the war zone;
  • Urges the LTTE to facilitate safe conduct for the people who want to leave such areas and refrain from any form of forced conscription, of both children and others;
  • Appeals to the Sri Lankan government to allow international and national agencies to address and assist the persons in camps and in the conflict areas;
  • Urges the Sri Lankan government to take initiatives conducive to undertaking talks with all concerned and also to present an outline of a political formula with a view to finding a lasting solution to the issues behind the conflict;
  • Assures the churches in Sri Lanka of the support of the churches around the world, represented by the WCC, the CCA and the SACC, as they are engaged in responding to the urgent humanitarian needs and also in working with others in seeking practical ways of resolving the conflict.

To read the entire statement, click here: http://globalministries.org/news/sasia/sri-lanka-statement.html

To read an appeal from concern citzens of South Asia: http://globalministries.org/news/sasia/an-appeal-from-concerned.html

To read the Common Global Ministries Board statement on Sri Lanka: http://globalministries.org/news/sasia/seeking-peace-in-sri-lanka.html

Global Ministries International Partners in Sri Lanka:

  • Christian Institute for the Study of Religion and Society (CISRS) has co-sponsored a Joint Women’s Program with the William Carey Study and Research Center.  This program has attempted to address the issues of communal harmony; growing violence against women and children; economic policies particularly as they impact women; and the JWP has lobbied the government on these and other issues related to women.
  • Church of American Ceylon Mission
  • Ecumenical Institute for Study and Dialogue (EISD) is dedicated to promoting mutual understanding and cooperation among members of the various religious traditions represented in Sri Lanka.  The Study Center building is used by a number of church-related organizations and other institutions to provide accommodation for participants involved in Study Programs.  The endowment fund enables the EISD to continue developing and offering opportunities for programs that will promote respectful and cooperative relationships among differing faith traditions.
  • House for Hope, Sri Lanka is a Leper Colony which provides a home, treatment and hope for those battling leprosy.
  • Jaffna College has been serving the people of Sri Lanka for over 175 years.  The College provides the opportunity for a good quality education to youth who would not otherwise have this opportunity.  The Jaffna College Technical Institute offers technical training in air conditioning and refrigeration; automobile technology; mechanical engineering; electronics and telecommunications; civil engineering and quality surveying; electrical engineering; and computer programming and information processing. 
  • Jaffna Diocese of the Church of South India. The Christian communities of Sri Lanka are members of the Church of South India.  The Jaffna Diocese is their local body of church governance.  The Jaffna Diocese has been challenged for many years to find ways of promoting peace in a country torn by war. 
  • National Christian Council of Sri Lanka has been involved in interfaith dialogues, theological education and rehabilitation in the midst of the civil war.  They are now developing their capacity to address the HIV/AIDS crisis.
  • Uduvil Girls College was created to provide educational opportunities for Tamil girls who were getting only minimal education.  It is now 175 years old and still dedicated to promoting the education and cultural advancement opportunities for girls. 

Global Ministries Missionary in Sri Lanka:

None at the present time