Christians around the world have been called to pray today for those affected by the conflicts in South Sudan and the Democratic Republic of Congo. Driven by tribal and personal rivalries, competition for resources and interventions by external forces, the wars have left citizens of both countries facing years of trauma. Murder, hunger and sexual abuse is rife, and the international community is largely disengaged.
Archbishop Justin Welby has said: 'I support this call and invite you to join us – and people around the world – in praying that these terribly suffering populations will know peace.'
Here are some words to help believers pray.
God of peace, your desire is for human beings to flourish in body, mind and spirit.
Jesus said, 'I have come that they may have life, and have it more abundantly.'
You have promised a day when 'everyone will sit under their own vine and under their own fig tree, and no one will make them afraid'.
So we pray today for the people of South Sudan and the Democratic Republic of Congo.
We pray for the hungry and thirsty, the poor and the sick. We pray for those who live in fear every day, for themselves and their loved ones. We pray for those who grieve because of what violent men have already done, and who are broken in mind or body because of what they have lived through.
We thank you for the faithful witness of Christians to a better way, and we pray that you will bless them with courage and hope.
We pray for the leaders of those nations, that they will seek the way of peace; and we pray for the peoples of the world, that they will be appalled by this suffering and demand an end to it.
For justice and righteousness, forgiveness and hope: Lord, hear our prayer.
Amen.
