Pray with Nicaragua, December 21, 2025
Lectionary Selection: Matthew 22: 13-23
Prayers for Nicaragua
Beloved Lord, today we raise our voices for the nation of Nicaragua. We ask that you extend your hand of mercy upon its people, bring peace where there is conflict, hope where there is pain, and unity where there is division. Bless its leaders with wisdom and justice, and strengthen every family so that they may live with dignity, faith, and love.
We continue to face much uncertainty and injustice in Nicaragua. We pray for the churches that suffer from the lack of worship and for the families in rural communities who lack the necessary resources for their loved ones. You know that our plea is for the final approval of the CEPAD-AGAPE Nicaragua organization so that it may continue serving and accompanying poor families as it has done for 52 years.
May your light shine upon this beautiful land and may your peace be the foundation of its future. In Jesus’ name, Amen.
Mission Moment from Nicaragua
Since CEPAD was founded, we have strived to ensure that rural communities receive care and meet their needs, such as water and food supplies, which are the most essential. We have worked hand in hand with the pursuit of community development so that they can achieve self-sustainability for their families in rural areas.
One of the great examples is Ms. Maura Ramos, who is part of the Family Garden Project in the community of La Esperanza, located 20 kilometers from the municipality of Matagalpa. She is a farmer who has been unable to afford or find time for educational knowledge. Today, with CEPAD in the community, she has received training in three workshops on planting methods, irrigation alternatives, planting planning, diversification of vegetable production, and selecting and producing her own seeds. She also learned to prepare her own insecticides and compost with natural materials.
All this learning and the mentoring the CEPAD technician and other farmers provided have encouraged her to build a micro-dam. She has collected local materials such as stones, sand, clay, and wood, and with the support of her family, she was able to purchase six yards of black plastic. Her micro-dam will collect 220 liters of water. With the support of the entire family, she and her husband built a concrete water tank to collect more water (about 3,750 liters) and thus are able to better care for the vegetables in the garden.
“My greatest satisfaction today is my garden, with so many different crops such as tomatoes, green peppers, chili peppers, papayas, and different types of squash. I achieved all of this with the support of my family and by using water harvesting techniques to irrigate my vegetables. Despite the drought this rainy season, I was able to produce a lot.”
CEPAD has over 50 years of experience working in urban and rural communities, enabling it to facilitate and support community development and organization, capacity building, agricultural production, and Christian education. A small group of six people continues to support communities through a new organization called AGAPE NICARAGUA, which will continue the legacy of CEPAD’s history. We are confident that the restructuring and legalization process will be completed soon.
We have extensive experience in sustainable agriculture, with successful results in numerous communities in Nicaragua. We have proven that various sustainable agricultural techniques have helped low-income small farmers improve and utilize their plots and harvest sufficient food for their families.
This project seeks to support four communities with family participation, with a scope from 2025 to 2028.
Written by Lic. Emily Reyes, CEPAD – AGAPE, Nicaragua
Mission Partners in Nicaragua: