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Ethiopia - Prayer Ventures
For the church
Merciful God, we thank you for the Ethiopian Evangelical Church (Mekane Yesus)
and the mission established there in the name of your Son where Christianity
continues to grow. Bless the Lutherans in Ethiopia and in our country as we work
together to spread the Good News about your love and compassion.
For current needs
Gracious God, we pray for everyone in Ethiopia and Eastern Africa as they
continue to suffer from internal strife and substandard living conditions that
cause many to live in poverty and anguish. Strengthen them in their efforts and
help them find ways to obtain food, cleaner water, and necessary supplies that
will help replenish their communities and protect them from disease.
For those serving
Great and Loving God, we ask for your continuing support of the work done by
missionaries who have served in Ethiopia as the church strives to spread the
Good News of your everlasting love and forgiveness. Open their hearts as they
communicate in many languages, such as Amharic and Somali, and help them embrace
the blessings offered by Christians around the world so that we might understand
and pass on the diverse ways in which your love comes to us.
For companion relationships
God of compassion, we give thanks for the Companion Synod Program of the ELCA
which allows ELCA synods and congregations to develop more personal
relationships with our global Christian neighbors. We pray especially for those
congregations in our country that currently relate to the Ethiopian Evangelical
Church through prayer and communication, that they might find new meaning in
these global connections.
For church leadership
God of wisdom, your insight and guidance fill our lives. Show us new ways to
understand your power and presence in our lives. Thank you for the Ethiopian
Evangelical Church and for those who continue to share your message. Help those
who are leaders in the church and the 800 pastors, evangelists, and other
officials who work to serve over 1.6 million members. We pray that many more
might hear your call to lead the people of this church in words of your grace
and love.
For open hearts
God our Creator, you make all people part of your family. Bless us as we learn
more about our sisters and brothers in the Ethiopian Evangelical Church. Help us
to embrace our common blessing in serving you. Open our eyes to the gifts you
give us in each other. Guide us in building bridges between our cultures and our
churches. We ask these things in the name we name together, your Son, Jesus
Christ.
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