Sub-Saharan Africa: Pray for Internally Displaced People (IDPs)

According to the International Organisation of Migration, 32.5 million people have been internally displaced due to violence across sub-Saharan Africa. In places like Sudan, Nigeria, Mozambique, and northern Kenya, a rise in tribal clashes and Islamic extremist attacks have forced many people to flee their homes.

Below is a prayer you might like to use in your individual prayer time, or in your church or small groups.

Please pray

Almighty God, you are a refuge for the oppressed; a stronghold in times of trouble.

We pray for Anglican Aid’s partners in Sudan, Nigeria, Kenya, Mozambique, and beyond who are caring for those who have been forced to flee their homes. Please enable them to provide essential aid and spiritual care to those who need it most.

God of all comfort, please bring comfort through the love of your people to those who have lost everything. For those who have been targeted due to their Christian faith, please direct their hearts into your abounding love and Christ’s perseverance. And for those who do not know you, we pray that they would find their ultimate refuge in Jesus.

Lord of peace, you make wars cease to the ends of the earth. We pray that you would restore justice and peace, enabling people to return to their homes. Please bring the perpetrators of violence to repentance. And help us, and all your people, to fix our eyes on that day when Jesus will return to renew this broken world, and there will be no more death or mourning or crying or pain.

In his name we pray,

Amen.

SUDAN: Caring for IDPs in the Nuba Mountains

Since civil war broke out in Sudan in April 2023, more than 10.5 million people have been forced to flee their homes to other parts of the country, making this the largest displacement crisis in the world.

Anglican Aid’s partner, the Diocese of Kadugli, is providing grain, mosquito nets, clothing, and shelter to over 100,000 internally displaced people in the Nuba Mountains. They are also distributing audio Bibles from Megavoice Australia.

Please pray: 

• Pray for comfort and strength for the bereaved, healing for those injured and traumatised, and provision for those who have fled their homes. Pray that they would experience our Heavenly Father’s care in the midst of their suffering.
• Give thanks for the work of the Diocese of Kadugli as they help those who have been displaced. Ask that God will guide them as they share food, clothing, and mosquito nets, so that this aid reaches those who need it most.
• Pray for God’s peace to bring healing in relationships, so trust can be restored between different ethnic and religious communities who have suffered during the civil war in Sudan.
• Ask that the church will continue to skillfully and lovingly care for those who have lost loved ones, homes, and livelihoods. Pray that the MegaVoice audio Bibles will bring comfort to many and help new Christians to grow in knowledge and faith as they hear God’s living word spoken in their language.
• Pray for an end to the war in Sudan, and that that those responsible for the conflict would come to repentance. Pray for deep and long-lasting peace in this nation.
• Pray for God’s wisdom as the diocese plans for and undergoes a phase of rebuilding because homes, churches, health facilities, educational buildings, communications centres, and water infrastructure have been destroyed, seriously damaged, or contaminated with explosive hazards.

TANZANIA: Praise God for the opening of Muleba Ladies College

Over the past few years, Anglican Aid has been working with the Diocese of Lweru in Tanzania to build Muleba Ladies College. The college has been constructed to house and educate young women, focusing on establishing business skills that lead to income-generating opportunities after graduation. They will also receive training in the Bible. 

Please pray: 

• Praise God that after several years of planning and construction, Muleba Ladies College opened in August!
• Give thanks for the supporters who made this project possible.
• Pray for the first group of students as they settle into college life, and for the teachers as they welcome, teach, and disciple the young women.
• Pray that through the Bible training, the students will grow in knowledge and understanding, and be equipped for Christian leadership in their local churches and communities.

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.