Helping churches pray for the Lord’s people around the world.

Below are monthly resources to help your church community to pray big prayers to our big God for people and places where Anglican Aid is working around the world.

Each update includes a slide, prayer points, and a written prayer.

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January prayer focus:
Please pray for Damascus Church Aid in Syria

You may have heard of recent events in Syria with the overthrow of the government of President Bashar al-Assad, after 13 years of civil war.

We have been in touch with our long-term partner in Syria, Pastor Samir Yacco from Damascus Church Aid, who tells us that the takeover by the Islamist rebel group, Hayat Tahrir al-Sham (HTS) was relatively peaceful and his church has been able to resume its worship meetings, Bible study, and Sunday school.

However, years of war, an earthquake, and economic sanctions have taken their toll in Syria. Infrastructure – including schools, roads and hospitals – has been destroyed, the economy has shrunk, and food prices have soared.

Pastor Samir said that representatives from the new government are assuring faith leaders in Syria that things will be better under the new regime.

But many in Syria and around the world are watching to see how things will unfold. Some are expressing concern about what kind of religious freedom will exist and whether Christians will be in danger, particularly those who have a Muslim background.

“We have to watch,” said Pastor Samir. “The Lord is still supervising this universe – we have no fear. At least there has been no killing; no kidnapping; no violation or breaching of civil liberty or freedom. Only the shortages of resources are the nightmare of Syrian people now.”

Pray:

• Give thanks that Damascus Church Aid has faithfully cared for neighbours in need and proclaimed the gospel through years of trouble in Syria.
• For the nation of Syria to be able to re-build and replenish after years of civil war and economic sanctions.
• That displaced Syrians returning home will be able to rebuild homes and livelihoods.
• That Christians in Syria will be free to continue meeting publicly and following Jesus under the new regime.
• For the protection of Muslim background believers in Syria.
• For God to strengthen his church in Syria.

A prayer for Damascus Church Aid in Syria

Our Mighty God, Everlasting Father, and Prince of Peace,

We thank you that Anglican Aid’s partner, Damascus Church Aid, has continued to care for neighbours in need through years of war and economic sanctions in Syria, all the while sharing the hope they have in you.

Would you help the nation of Syria to restore schools, hospitals, and roads after years of civil war. As displaced Syrians return to their country, help them to rebuild their homes and livelihoods. We ask that the new government will bring stability to Syria so your people can live peaceful and quiet lives in all godliness and holiness. In this time of transition, please strengthen our Syrian Christian brothers and sisters with all power according to your glorious might so they have great endurance and patience.

As Syrians hope for a new era of peace, we pray that many will hear the good news of Jesus and turn in faith to him, the Prince of Peace, so they can know peace beyond all understanding and enjoy new life with him forever.

We pray in his name and for his glory.

Amen.

December Prayer Focus:
Anglican Aid projects around the world at Christmas

As we remember the coming of our King Jesus, would you please join in praying for Anglican Aid partners as they celebrate Christmas in very different contexts to ours?

Just like us, many will be taking the opportunity to proclaim the message of Jesus at Christmas events and church services. Some will share gifts in the name of Jesus with children and families living in poverty.

For others, Christmas brings additional danger. Last year at least 295 Christians were killed during the Christmas period in co-ordinated attacks on Christian villages in Plateau State in northern Nigeria. Our partners in the Diocese of Jos said that many were displaced after these attacks with an Internally Displaced People camp in the area housing 8,000 people.

After these attacks, one pastor from the Diocese said, “We do not and will not go for any reprisals or attacks. The Lord is our help and refuge.”

In Nigeria, more believers are killed for their faith each year than everywhere else in the world combined and Christmas seems to be a particularly dangerous time. Please pray for Christians there.

Anglican Aid, in partnership with Canberra-Goulburn Diocese, is supporting the Diocese of Jos as it provides emergency aid for Christians who have been displaced by violence. It is also supporting Jos Diocese as it builds a school for disadvantaged children and trains Christian leaders for ministry in this difficult environment.

Pray:

• Praise God for Anglican Aid partners who are boldly proclaiming the gospel of Jesus at Christmas events in Africa, the Middle East and Asia. May God’s Spirit bring many to faith in Jesus.
• Pray that families who receive gifts from Anglican Aid partners at Christmas will also accept the best gift – new life in Christ.
• Pray for the protection of Christians in Nigeria as they gather to celebrate Christmas.
• For God’s provision for Christians in Nigeria who have been displaced by violence.

A prayer for Anglican Aid projects around the world at Christmas

Our Lord God, we thank you for the good news of great joy for all people that we celebrate at Christmas, the coming of Jesus, our Saviour.

We thank you for Anglican Aid partners around the world who are bringing this news to their neighbours at church services and other events. Help them to share the message of Jesus clearly and with courage and kindness. As partners share gifts with people in need, we ask that many will also receive the best gift of all, forgiveness and new life in Christ.

We pray too for the protection of Christians in Nigeria as they gather to celebrate Christmas. Help them to keep trusting you in this hostile environment and to keep showing your love and forgiveness to people who would seek to harm them. Ultimately would you bring many in Nigeria to repentance and faith in Jesus, so they begin a new life with him that lasts forever. We pray in his name and for his glory. Amen.

November Prayer Focus:
Lebanon and the Middle East

Over the last month, many families from the conflict zone in south Lebanon have moved north, seeking safety. Some have sought help from Anglican Aid’s long-term partner, Good Shepherd School. In response, the school is now sheltering displaced families and helping them with essentials like bedding, clothing, and food.

Directors of Good Shepherd School, Reem and Emil Bourizk, have also taken families into their home alongside their own children. “We know that we should not say no to the stranger,” they said.

Bombardments in their area have brought the conflict very close to home. On 15 October, the BBC reported 21 people were killed in an airstrike in north Lebanon, near their village.

Emil said: “The evil one is shaking our area. But this is giving us as children of and witnesses of the Lord Jesus an amazing opportunity to shine the light of the Lord and share the love of the Lord. This is a very rich time, a time of suffering and trouble, but also rich for the gospel. Please pray with us.”

Pray:

• For peace, and an end to the war
• For protection and wisdom as Reem and Emil care for strangers seeking safety
• For God to comfort those experiencing trauma
• In thanks that God’s people are sharing his light

A prayer for Lebanon and the Middle East

Almighty God, our Lord and King, blessed are all who take refuge in you.

We pray for peace in the Middle East. We pray for governments and those in authority in Israel, Lebanon, and Gaza. Please give them wisdom and the will to bring an end to the war. We ask this so suffering is eased, order restored, and your people in these places can live peaceful and quiet lives in all godliness and holiness.

Father of compassion and God of all comfort, we lift up those who mourn loved ones or have lost homes and livelihoods in the conflict. Would you comfort them and provide food, shelter, and resources to rebuild homes and livelihoods. We thank you for the kindness being shown to displaced people by Reem and Emil Bourizk from Anglican Aid’s project Good Shepherd School in north Lebanon. Would you protect them and give them wisdom as they care for strangers who come to their door. Please encourage their hearts and strengthen them in every good deed and word. May their light shine so many see their love and glorify you, our Father in heaven.

We pray that in this time of trouble in the Middle East you would bring many people to trust in the Lord Jesus as their King forever. It is in his name we pray and for his glory. Amen.

October Prayer Focus:
Please pray for the Democratic Republic of Congo

Please pray for our brothers and sisters in the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC). Attacks in the east in recent months have left thousands of people displaced.

This nation of 100 million people ranks as one of the five poorest in the world. Government services are scarce, so the Anglican church there seeks to serve by running 700 schools and 90 health centres.

With its extreme poverty, DRC is one of Anglican Aid’s priority countries. We are helping the Anglican Church to renovate and build schools and Bible schools. We are also providing funding for the operation of 17 Bible schools to strengthen the church with trained gospel workers.

Please pray with your church:

• For peace in DRC, especially in the east of the country.
• For safety for ministry workers as they travel in dangerous areas.
• That Anglican church schools will provide quality, Christian education to children who will grow up to serve the Lord and use their education to benefit others.
• That Bible college students and the churches they lead will be shaped by God’s word and bring transformation to their communities.
• That God will build his church in DRC.

A prayer for the Democratic Republic of Congo 

Almighty God, you are our refuge and strength, an ever-present help in trouble. We pray for our brothers and sisters in the Democratic Republic of the Congo, where Anglican Aid is seeking to strengthen the church. Would you bring peace to this nation that has suffered decades of conflict.

For people who have been displaced after fleeing violence, please provide food, medical care, shelter, and resources for people to rebuild their homes and livelihoods. And please give them hope by the power of your Holy Spirit. Where there is disorder and chaos, would you restore order and peace, enabling people to flourish in your good creation.

Please help children in Anglican schools in this nation to learn well, growing up to serve you and using their education to benefit others. Would you enable Bible college students to learn how to correctly handle the word of truth, so they can build up the body of Christ, uniting your people in the faith and in the knowledge of your Son.

We pray in his name and for his glory.

Amen.

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Anglican Aid prayer

Heavenly Father,

Whose will it is that all people will be saved, and come to a knowledge of  the truth, and whose will it is that we care for the poor, needy, widows, orphans and refugees.

We pray for the work of the Archbishop of Sydney’s Anglican Aid.

We pray for your grace to fulfil every good work that you have prepared for us in advance to do as we anticipate the triumphant return of our King and Saviour, in whose name we pray.

Amen.