TEARFUND PRAYER DIARY JANUARY 2017
When Faith Lives On: 8 – 14 January
This week we are celebrating and thanking God for the lives of those who have left a life-giving gift in their will to Tearfund. Father, we are deeply grateful and praise you for the individual and community transformations that have been enabled by such generosity.
Sunday 8 January
Described by one of his grandchildren as a true example of this call to servant-hearted evangelism, Dennis Pierce was from his youth committed to sharing the gospel of Christ Jesus. Thank God today for believers like Dennis Pierce who make known to others the eternal message of hope of the Gospel.
Monday 9 January
A young midwife in the 1940s, Kathleen Allen's 'radiant Christian faith was demonstrated in her compassion for those in need. During harsh winters (and using her nurse's wage) she would buy and take bags of coal to families in need, ensuring they stayed warm.' Pray that Christ's compassion would fill your heart today.
Tuesday 10 January
'Audrey Kerry was a loving mother, grandmother, Sunday school teacher and babysitter,' daughter Linda remembers. 'She supported Tearfund for many years and we are very pleased to know that her legacy gift will help Tearfund transform the lives of families most in need.' Thank God for people like Audrey who showed steadfast care and generosity.
Wednesday 11 January
'Jack Gamble's trust in Jesus as Saviour and Lord was the foundation of all he was and did,' remembers Jack's good friend, Edmund. Enduring great difficulty in his last years as he coped with multiple myeloma, Jack was 'patient during the treatment - he never complained.' Ask that the Lord would draw near to those facing long-term sickness.
Thursday 12 January
'Serving for many years in the merchant navy, Peter Whittington introduced many people to the importance of external power anchored by the Holy Spirit and was firm in his belief that we need to anchor ourselves in the Saviour's love,' says his friend, Brian. Pray that you may grasp how wide and long and high and deep is the love of Christ.
Friday 13 January
John fondly remembers his mum Eunice Jones, who was 103 years old when the Lord called her home. 'She was a long-term supporter of Tearfund both in prayer and giving.' Thank God for people like Eunice whose lifetime support of prayer and giving continues through their legacy.
Saturday 14 January
Lord, we praise and thank you for all of the lives highlighted this week and for many others who have left life-giving legacies to Tearfund. Thank you for their inspirational stories. We ask that you would pour out your love over their families and friends and bless the work being done as a result of their generous gifts. If you would like to know more about including a gift to Tearfund in your will visit: www.tearfund.org/legacies, contact: or call Kirsty or Asha on: +44 (0) 208 943 7729.
Instability in Niger: 15 – 21 January
Tearfund has been working in Niger for more than two decades. Our partner Jeunesse En Mission Entraide et Developpement (JEMED) operates in the Abalak region helping Tuareg pastoralists to access clean water supplies and improve their farming, through literacy training and primary education. Fellow partner Union of Evangelical Protestant Churches Niger (UEEPN) works in the Dosso region, helping to end hunger by teaching people about market gardening, setting up grain banks and tackling soil erosion.
Sunday 15 January
The Church and Community Mobilisation Process (CCMP) in Agadez, Niger has seen tremendous transformation in the community and in the lives of individuals. The desire among church leaders and congregations to participate in CCMP has increased as they see the transformation happen in neighbouring communities. Pray that the trained facilitators will work effectively with churches and communities.
Monday 16 January
Niger has faced huge challenges in recent years, particularly Boko Haram insurgents from north-east Nigeria who attack the south of Niger - leaving thousands of families internally displaced. Pray that God will comfort families affected by these attacks and for God's protection and security in the future.
Tuesday 17 January
Niger's President Mahamadou Issoufou won a second term with 92.5 per cent of the vote in a run-off election in March this year that the opposition coalition chose to boycott. Pray for a stable government to emerge that will serve all of the people of Niger.
Wednesday 18 January
'May the favour of the Lord our God rest on us; establish the work of our hands for us - yes, establish the work of our hands.' Psalm 90:17 Pray for Tearfund staff in Niger, that God's favour would be with them and their work as they make future plans for the vital work of Tearfund in Niger.
Thursday 19 January
Remember Tearfund's partners JEMED and UEEPN working and supporting communities in prayer, as they bring hope to the most vulnerable in a difficult, insecure environment. Pray that they will be protected and sustained by God's love, and see the fruit of their work through the lasting impact on individuals and communities.
Friday 20 January
Pray for the six Tearfund staff that work and live in Niger, supporting the local Christian partners. Ask for good health, that they would work well as a team, and for protection, courage and wisdom as they work with partners to address the multiple needs of communities in Niger.
Saturday 21 January
Lord, you have been our dwelling-place throughout all generations. Before the mountains were born or you brought forth the whole world, from everlasting to everlasting you are God. Psalm 90:1-2
Heavenly Father, thank you that you are our dwelling place, even when your people live in places of conflict and uncertainty like Niger. Help the Tearfund staff and partners in Niger to catch your eternal perspective, and may that comfort them when they face difficult times. Amen.
Powerful tongues: 22 – 28 January
Join with us as we pray for Tearfund speakers, both staff members and our team of 150 faithful volunteers. Tearfund speakers visit churches and local communities to share stories of our work and talk about God's heart for people living in poverty. Keep them in your prayers as they speak life and hope to local churches, and share insights into some of the world's most desperate situations.
Sunday 22 January
Our speakers are skilled communicators who engage the interest of an audience, leaving them informed and inspired. They are accredited and speak to services of 40 people or more, equipping congregations to respond through prayer, giving and action. Give thanks for them as they volunteer their time to speak at Sunday services throughout the UK.
Monday 23 January
Pray that people will be moved after hearing from our speakers. Pray that the presentation, films and photos will be impactful, insightful, and stir a generous response in the hearts of many. Ask God for people to respond with open hearts and be encouraged to support our work.
Tuesday 24 January
Pray for future engagements—particularly through the forthcoming busy Spring period—and that we will see great fruit. Pray especially for new supporters to partner with Tearfund, to give regularly so that they can have the joy of hearing how their support is making a positive, life-changing impact.
Wednesday 25 January
'I know that the Lord secures justice for the poor and upholds the cause of the needy.' Psalm 140:12
Pray for our beneficiaries whose stories our speakers have the great privilege of sharing. Give thanks for stories of hope that tell of God's everlasting love and goodness. Praise God that in spite of great need, there is always great hope.
Thursday 26 January
Pray for strength and guidance for our speakers as they seek to communicate God's love for those in need. Ask God to inspire and equip them with the right words as they spend many hours preparing Bible-based talks and deciding which resources to use to illustrate Tearfund's work.
Friday 27 January
Lift up our staff teams as they support speakers by arranging engagements, developing resources, training, logistics, travel and more. Help them work with stamina, sensitivity and inspiration. Pray for new speakers to join the team, and for parts of the UK where Tearfund is short of speakers.
Saturday 28 January
'Speak up for those who cannot speak for themselves, for the rights of all who are destitute. Speak up and judge fairly; defend the rights of the poor and needy.' Proverbs 31:8-9 Dear Lord, we lift up our Tearfund speakers as they serve you and go out into the world to share stories of your love and grace. May they be encouraged to continue to do your will—we pray for strength, passion and renewed vision. In Jesus' name, Amen. If you would like to know more about inviting a Tearfund speaker to your church or becoming a speaker visit: www.tearfund.org/speaker, contact: or call: +44 (0)20 8943 7972.
Development despite danger: 29 January – 4 February
Afghanistan is a land of contrasts: fragile yet resilient, beautiful but rugged, and home to a people who are poor yet generous beyond measure. Marred by years of instability, Afghanistan remains one of the poorest nations in the world.
Sunday 29 January
Limited arable land and severe weather conditions greatly challenge crop productivity in Afghanistan. Asmat's community had struggled to grow enough to eat, but after Tearfund partner International Assistance Mission (IAM) taught him how to boost agricultural productivity, he hopes to grow lentils and peas this year. Pray that the forthcoming sowing season will reap a plentiful harvest.
Monday 30 January
Some 72 per cent of Afghanistan's population do not have access to toilets. Tearfund partners work with remote communities to improve access to clean water, and offer hygiene training. Tearfund Country Representative Bruce Clark says, 'Installing a piped water supply saved villagers walking 34 miles to the nearest spring.' Pray that progress like this will continue to improve quality of life in rural Afghanistan.
Tuesday 31 January
Living in the mountains, Taza struggled to survive until he received a goat through Tearfund partner Serve's animal husbandry programme. When his goat produced offspring, he was able to give these to another poor family in his community. Praise God for this testimony and ask that more families would be blessed through the generosity of people like Taza.
Wednesday 1 February
Violent incidents are a frequent occurrence in Afghanistan, a bitter aftertaste from years of conflict. The United Nations Assistance in Afghanistan reports 1,601 civilian deaths in the first six months of 2016. Tragically, children make up a third of these deaths. Anti-governments forces are largely responsible for these lost lives. Pray for lasting peace in Afghanistan.
Thursday 2 February
Afghanistan's maternal mortality rate is one of the highest in the world. IAM is tackling this through hosting maternal and child-health courses with illiterate people in rural communities. Pray that, through these courses, fewer and fewer women will experience life-threatening pregnancies.
Friday 3 February
In a tense socio-economic climate, working in Afghanistan presents huge security challenges for Tearfund's partners. Pray for the safety and well-being of our staff, and give thanks for the dedicated and courageous people serving in Afghanistan.
Saturday 4 February
'May the Lord of peace himself give you peace at all times, and in every way.' 2 Thessalonians 3:16
'The people of Afghanistan are very warm and hospitable. It's humbling what people will give to you when they have so little themselves,' says Bruce Clark. Give thanks to God for the people of Afghanistan, and pray that the country would be peaceful this year. Amen. Some names have been changed this week to protect people's identities.
Tearfund Prayer Diary January 2017 – www.tearfund.org/praying