Pray for France on Sunday, July 13, 2008
Lectionary Text and Prayers for France: Matthew 13:1-9, 18-23
God of all nations, we pray today for the Reformed Church of France. Strengthen their witness as an open, caring, welcoming and, above all, Christian community in an ever secularizing country. Aid them as they work and witness with an ever growing number of immigrants from Africa, Asia and Eastern Europe who are fleeing poverty and oppression and struggling to make a better life in the European Union. Protect those risking physical harm to make this journey and help those who have made it as they try to make sense of and adapt to their new home. May your love for all children, your compassion for all nations, and your provision of abundance for all people be evident in the work of the Reformed Church of France.
We pray for the work of the Foyer Protestant d’Aubervilliers. Founded in 1929 by the French Reformed Church in the northern Parisian suburb of Aubervilliers, the Foyer is an active parish which emphasizes work with immigrants, refugees and at risk youth. Help them as they try to be a light of hope for the often marginalized and frustrated youth of France’s urban housing projects.
We pray for the French Reformed theology schools in Paris, Montpellier and Strasbourg. Guide them as they teach and train future pastors and church workers. Help them as they explore new and innovative ways to preach the gospel in France’s increasingly multi-cultural society.
We pray for the prison chaplains of the Reformed Church who are working hard to share Christ’s message of hope, faith and love with those incarcerated in France. Amen.
( Prayer by Tim Rose)
Global Ministries International Partners in France:
The Reformed Church of France (ERF) is the largest protestant denomination in France. Throughout its 450 year history the ERF has fought to uphold the values of the protestant reformation. It strongly believes in God’s grace that is the basis of Jesus-Christ’s social and liberationist ministry. It stresses the protestant notion of “universal priesthood” by encouraging lay ministry and is very involved in theological, ecumenical, social and mission work on the national and international level.
Global Ministries Missionaries in France:
Timothy Rose served as program assistant with the Reformed Church of France. Based at the Foyer Protestant d’Aubervilliers, he worked primarily with immigrants and refugee families and at risk youth. He was also a prison chaplain at a maximum security prison in Paris. Timothy’s current service will be itinerating in Connecticut from September 1, 2008 to April 30, 2009 and North Carolina from May 1 to June 30, 2009.