Prayers for Peacemakers: Pray for Afghanistan

Pray for Afghanistan as the population faces changes to the country's election law. These include the removal of the three foreigners appointed by the United Nations to the five-member Electoral Complaints Commission designed to look into voting fraud. The changes would also limit the number of women in the Afghan parliament.

Prayers for Peacemakers: Civilian Deaths in Iraq

Iraq Body Count reports that violent civilian deaths in Iraq have fallen from 200/week in 2008 to 100/week in 2009. Pray that this violence declines and a just and stable peace emerges.

Prayers for Peacemakers: Give thanks for all those who build peace.

A prayer of thanksgiving for all those who build peace. For some it is by great acts of courage, for others by small acts of kindness. As we admire the Dalai Lama and other role models, let us remember that peace starts in our own hearts; "nonviolence is about becoming the change we wish to see in the world" (M.K Gandhi). Thanks be to God for helping all those who tackle this challenge.

Prayers for Peacemakers: Pray for the victims of natural disasters

Pray for the survivors of the natural disasters that occurred in Southeast Asia and the South Pacific this week. According to the UN, over 1,100 people died in the earthquake that struck the Indonesian island of Sumatra, and hundreds others died in the tsunami that hit Samoa. A typhoon wreaked havoc in the Philippines and Vietnam, and another is forecast for this weekend. May rescuers find the strength and resources to give aid in these desperate situations.

Prayers for Peacemakers: Pray for families in Hebron

Pray for the families living near At-Tuwani in the South Hebron Hills who received demolition orders on their homes this week from the Israeli military authorities. Settlements and outposts in the region continue to expand in violation of international and Israeli law. May these offensive acts stop.

Prayers for Peacemakers: Pray for the persecuted Uyghurs

Pray for peace in the ongoing struggle of the Uyghurs, the native people of East Turkestan in China's Xinjiang province. In July, a reportedly peaceful protest by minority Uyghurs was answered by police violence which led to hundreds of deaths; what the government dismisses as an ethnic riot instigated from abroad is termed genocide by the Uyghurs. The number arrested varies depending on sources, but apparently is well over 4000. Reports of beatings in detention abound, and the trials are due to begin now. May human rights be restored to this persecuted group.

Prayers for Peacemakers: Pray for humanitarians arrested for helping migrants survive in Arizona desert

Pray for the humanitarians arrested for leaving drinking water in the Arizona desert for migrants crossing from Mexico in scorching heat. This year, migrants crossing this desert are dying at a record rate; 89 bodies have already been recovered. On June 3rd, one person was found guilty of "knowingly littering" and faces a year in prison and a $10,000 fine, while 3 others await trial. May we remember "I was thirsty and you gave me drink."

Prayers for Peacemakers: Pray for those who struggle to have water

Pray for people around the world who struggle to have enough water to remain healthy and to grow the food they need, even though access to clean water is a fundamental human right. In the Beqa’a Valley east of Hebron, in the midst of a multi-year drought, the Israeli military last week destroyed cisterns and hauled away irrigation pipes which the Palestinian farmers use to water their crops. May we be mindful as we use water and consider its power.

Prayers for Peacemakers: Pray for CPT trainees in Colombia

Pray for the 10 persons beginning Peacemaker training this week in Colombia, CPT’s first training session in the global south. Here in Canada, we are encouraged to contact our MPs about the ongoing violations of human rights that the CPT Colombia team has documented. May our government put social justice before trade and investment interests.

Prayers for Peacemakers: Pray for Afghanistan

Pray for Afghanistan, where the Mennonite Central Committee supports schools, tuberculosis projects, home rebuilding, rural electrification and various peace-building efforts. MCC writes that Canada's military involvement there, with its focus on combat and counter-insurgency, is hindering the long-term peace and security of the people of Afghanistan. May we seek a more peaceful presence.

Prayers for Peacemakers: Pray for the campesinos of Las Pavas

Pray for the campesinos of Las Pavas, Colombia, as they face eviction and suffer harassment from police and armed groups. Their land is part of a large landowner's sale to an oil palm industry, but the community hopes to continue producing food for people rather than biofuel for cars, as well as preserving parts of the surrounding forest for wildlife. May their land rights be respected.

Prayers for Peacemakers: Pray for justice in Burma

Pray for justice in Burma. New charges on tenuous pretexts have been brought against the opposition leader, Aung San Suu Kyi, on the eve of the expiration of her detention. Her party, the National League for Democracy, won a landslide election victory in 1990 only to be denied power by the military, and she has been under house arrest for most of the past 19 years. The military government has rejected all international appeals for her freedom. May her message of non-violent democratic reform be heard.

Prayers for Peacemakers: Pray for those who risk their lives for peace

Pray for those who risk their lives for the cause of peace. CPT has volunteers and projects in place, but due to lack of funds numerous programs might be closed. May God grant us the courage to put our pacifism into action — and respond in time.

Prayers for Peacemakers: Pray for the people of central Iraq

Pray for the people of central Iraq. Several bombs in the past week have killed over 200 people in Shia markets and holy sites. CPT reports that Iraqis fear an escalation of sectarian violence. May their turmoil soon end.

Prayers for Peacemakers: Pray for Asubpeeschoseewagong

Pray for Asubpeeschoseewagong (Grassy Narrows First Nation). Their youth are walking to Toronto, raising awareness of the environmental destruction of Mother Earth. Despite the community's continued resistance to logging of its territories, the Ontario government has announced a logging plan. May God's creation be protected.

Prayers for Peacemakers: Pray for a peaceful election in India

Pray for India as the country goes through a month-long process of general elections, with 714 million eligible voters casting their ballots. The BBC reports that at least 17 people have been killed when insurgents attacked polling stations and kidnapped voting officers. May the world's largest exercise in democracy unfold without more bloodshed.

Prayers for Peacemakers: Easter prayers for all peacemakers

The Lord is risen! Pray with joy and thanksgiving for all peacemakers — those throughout history who have forged new ways of thinking, and those around the world today who are creating peaceful responses to conflict. May we learn from them as we follow Christ. The Lord is risen indeed!

Prayers for Peacemakers: Pray for the poor

Pray for the poor, whose numbers are swelling daily in the global financial crisis. This past week the powerful rich elite met in London in the midst of massive protests, while the unemployed and malnourished of the world suffered in silence. May their voices be heard at last.

Prayers for Peacemakers: Pray for peace within the church

Pray for peace within the church, both locally and globally. True peace flourishes only in a context of truth and trust. May this congregation seek both as we deliberate today, and may the broader church find unity amongst its many divisions.

Prayers for Peacemakers: Pray for missing and murdered aborignial women

Pray for awareness of the 510 aboriginal girls and women who have gone missing or been murdered since 1980. The United Nations as well as Amnesty International have called on the Canadian government to probe these deaths and unsolved disappearances of indigenous women. May also the underlying factors of racism, marginalization and impoverishment be addressed.

Prayers for Peacemakers: Pray for those those in voluntary service

Pray for those in voluntary service. MCC has 1,029 personnel in 53 countries, and many others work in missions and for a variety of NGOs. May their efforts bear fruit — abroad as well as at home. A special prayer for the release of the three health workers (including a nurse from Montreal) who were kidnapped from the MSF compound in Sudan this week.

Prayers for Peacemakers: Pray for those who suffer on the basis of gender

Pray for those who suffer injustice and oppression on the basis of gender. Today is International Women's Day, an opportunity for us all to redouble our efforts to achieve equality — women do two-thirds of the world’s work, receive 10% of the world’s income and own 1% of the means of production. Jesus broke cultural, ethnic and gender barriers, ministering to women and treating each one as a person. May we follow this example and spur others to do the same.

Prayers for Peacemakers: Pray for past and future victims of landmines

Pray for past and future victims of landmines. Landmines and cluster munitions menace communities, as their presence makes everyday tasks like pursuing a livelihood or going to school extremely dangerous. Today culminates Canadian Landmine Action Week — may our voices be heard that these remnants of war should be eradicated. For further info, visit www.minesactioncanada.org

Prayers for Peacemakers: Pray for the Awa people of south-western Colombia

Pray for the indigenous Awa people of south-western Colombia. Last week 18 in one village were massacred by an unknown armed group, and 13 others were killed the week before. CPTers try to assist and accompany when possible. May the community be resolute in their struggle for the right to remain on their ancestral lands.

Prayers for Peacemakers: Pray for the bushfire homeless in Australia

Pray for those injured and the 5,000 people who are homeless due to bushfires in Australia. Devastating blazes have killed 200 persons, and firefighters are continuing to battle several fires. May solace come to the victims and their families.

Prayers for Peacemakers: Pray for Canada's Truth and Reconciliation Commission

Pray for Canada's Indian Residential Schools Truth and Reconciliation Commission, established to document the truth of 100 years of attempts at forced assimilation. All the commissioners have resigned, thus its start has been delayed. May persons of wisdom and integrity be found to undertake this important task.

Prayers for Peacemakers: Pray for the people of Sri Lanka

Pray for the people of Sri Lanka who are trapped as the military pursues Tamil Tiger rebels in the north of the country. The UN reports a humanitarian crisis and is trying to evacuate civilians, including children critically wounded in the fighting. May a peaceful path be found.

Prayers for Peacemakers: Pray for the Democratic Republic of Congo

Pray for the Democratic Republic of Congo, where the brutal war is escalating. UN officials warn that the conditions look frighteningly similar to those before the Rwanda genocide in 1994. CPT calls for increased awareness of how extraction of minerals (widely used in cell phones) fuels this conflict. May more bloodshed be averted.

Prayers for Peacemakers: Pray for wisdom in politics

Pray for wisdom in politics. This week Obama will be inaugurated as U.S. president and will face urgent problems that require action. With the Gaza death toll over 1000, a solution must be found — there and in many other areas of conflict. May compassion and justice prevail.

Prayers for Peacemakers: Pray for the people of Gaza

Pray for the people of Gaza. Israel's military campaign against Hamas has killed over 700 Palestinians and 11 Israelis in the past two weeks and injured 3000, including children. A tentative ceasefire has been brokered to allow humanitarian aid into the besieged area. May the truce hold and may shattered lives be given a chance to heal.