Prayers for Mazambique: John 3:1-17
Creator God,
You are a God of unconditional and unchanging love, and we give you thanks for this.
Prayers for Mozambique: John 3:1-17
Creator God,
You are a God of unconditional and unchanging love, and we give you thanks for this.
Your love overcomes and gives new life. Empower Mozambique to continue to overcome its history of colonialism and war and the resultant distrust and weariness. Empower your church, especially the United Congregational Church and the United Church of Christ in Mozambique, that through them your presence may be like the wind that blows hope, peace, joy, love, and strength to the people of Mozambique.
Grant hope to those here that have lost hope amidst their homes made of palms. Grant peace to those who fish in the sea for their daily bread. Grant joy to those who collect the water from a common well. Grant love to those who have lost family to war, malaria, and to HIV and AIDS. And God give strength to those who fight against corruption, poverty and bureaucracy.
Give hope, peace, joy, love and strength. Amen.
Mission Moment:
“The true beauty of music is that it connects people. It carries a message, and we, the musicians, are the messengers.” Roy Ayers
Indeed music connects us. It connects through our heart and our soul. Music can calm our spirit and it can make us dance. It can thrill us and can sadden us. And we feel African music moves the spirit! In the United Congregational Church of Southern Africa (UCCSA) there is music always. There is a song to open and close a service, a song for offering, a song for the minister, a song to welcome, for communion, for joy and for reflection. Though in Africa there are many languages, the music itself, and the spirit in which it is sung, conveys the message. The spirit moves and God is present. What song are you singing today? What song moves you to worship? To give? To love your neighbor? What message are you creating? Let us find our song today and sing it loud. Others need to hear our song and to hear the good news of Christ.
Jonathan and Dawn Barnes serve with the Mozambique Synod of the United Congregational Church of Southern Africa, based in Maputo, Mozambique. Dawn serves as an HIV and AIDS Coordinator and Jon serves as project and development officer.