Pray with Botswana, December 29, 2025

Lectionary Selection: Matthew 22: 13-23

Prayers for Botswana:

Almighty and Ever-Present God, we lift before you our nation, Botswana, and all who call it home. We pray for your comfort upon Rev Dr. Prince M. Dibeela in this painful season, following the promotion into glory of his wife, Rev Dr. Cheryl Dibeela. Surround his family and all who mourn with your peace that surpasses all understanding. We remember Kgolagano College—its challenges, its mission, and its students preparing for final examinations. Grant them strength, clarity of mind, and confidence as they study.

Lord, bless our leaders—political and professional—with wisdom, humility, and a genuine desire to serve with integrity. Heal our economy so it may support true transformation and shared prosperity. We pray for prudent stewardship of our resources—particularly diamonds—and renewed respect for governance and administrative structures.

Our mighty God, we ask for your mercy over the rising incidents of passion killings and suicide among high-profile leaders and civil servants. Bring healing, hope, and restoration to all who battle silent struggles. May forgiveness, compassion, and unity take root in our nation. Above all, may your Holy Spirit never depart from this land or its people.
In Jesus’ name, Amen.

Mission Moment from Botswana

The Preacher’s Training Course

Kgolagano College offers a non-accredited, six-month part-time Preachers’ Course for laity who desire basic training in preaching. Although the programme has been running for years, the current intake is unusually large, with about 95 students. Classes meet once a month on Saturdays, and as a mission co-worker I teach several sessions, including an introduction to homiletics and Christian calling.

In a recent lesson, I addressed the “health and wealth gospel,” a controversial topic in Botswana due to the rise of churches lead by self-styled apostles and prophets—often referred to as “fire churches.” The students were deeply engaged and asked thoughtful questions throughout.

After class, two women approached me and shared how the teaching had personally helped them. (I obtained permission to share their story without using their names.) For years, they had been attached to one of these prophets and had contributed large sums of money, nearly losing financial stability. Since that encounter, I have been meeting with them weekly for further teaching on issues such as mind control, spiritual disciplines, and Christian cults.

In our most recent session, they asked about Global Ministries (a partnership between Christian Church (Disciples of Christ) and the United Church of Christ), knowing that I serve as a mission co-worker. They prayed fervently—through tears—thanking God for the ministry of Global Ministries, which has enabled me to serve alongside faculty in equipping students with sound theological education and prevent spiritual manipulation.

Experiences like these highlight the quiet but transformative power of the ministry of presence. Through the partnership of Global Ministries with institutions like Kgolagano College, lives are being reshaped as students encounter the liberating truth of the gospel and participate in what God is doing in sub-Saharan Africa.

Prayer and Mission Moment written by Paul S. Chimhungwe Mission Co-Worker at Kgolagano College, Gaborone, Botswana.

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