Tearfund Prayer Diary January 2013
TEARFUND PRAYER DIARY JANUARY 2013
Thanksgiving in Guatemala: 12–18 January
In November 2012, Guatemala was rocked by the most powerful earthquake to hit the country in more than 30 years. Thanks to God’s grace, prayer and the work of Tearfund’s partners, we have seen restoration and hope streaming into the region. Let’s give thanks this week ...
Sunday 12 January
Thousands of people in desperate need received practical support after the earthquake. Neighbours, communities and local organisations rallied together to start restoring lives after so much destruction. Praise God for the sacrificial love many people showed in giving time and resources and for the collective response across the country.
Monday 13 January
Ana lives in Tajumulco, San Marcos. She received crucial help from Tearfund’s partner, AMI San Lucas, immediately after the disaster. She said, ‘We now have a safe place to live with my children. God bless you.’ Give thanks that Tearfund’s partners were able to support Ana and many others in communities shattered by the earthquake.
Tuesday 14 January
Juana Tzunun and her family lost their home in Sololá. Thanks to the generous giving of people around the world, Tearfund’s partners were able to provide materials to rebuild the house. Juana and her father were even able to improve their home with concrete blocks. Praise God for the generosity poured out.
Wednesday 15 January
Thank God for the gradual rebuilding process and the progress made since the quake. Pray for the continued restoration of lives, both physically and spiritually, and for wisdom on behalf of leaders and decision-makers as Guatemala continues to recover. Please pray that our partners and others can help reduce the nation’s vulnerability to disasters.
Thursday 16 January
‘My family and I are grateful to God for his mercy. We have experienced a difficult time in our lives. We lost what little we had,’ says Catarina, a mother from Panyebar. With support from AMI San Lucas, she was able to rent a room for her family. Thank God that many families received shelter and food following the earthquake.
Friday 17 January
Read and reflect on 2 Corinthians 1:3-4. Praise God that he is full of compassion and is our great comforter. Thank Him that he comforts us in all our troubles and we can share this with others in need. Pray that those in Guatemala who have lost loved ones and homes will be comforted.
Saturday 18 January
Dear Father, thank you that you are sovereign and wholly good. Thank you that each person affected by the earthquake in Guatemala is known by you. Please continue to comfort those who are suffering and to rebuild lives broken by the disaster. Please work in this situation for your good. Amen.
Welcome to the weekend – creative prayer idea
Reflect: Read Isaiah 58:6-7. What does it mean to ‘loose the chains of injustice’ today?
Pray: How can this kind of ‘fasting’be reflected more in your own life?
Act: Consider helping or supporting a local initiative near you that works with community groups to release people from poverty.
Speaking up: 19-25 January
‘Speak up for those who cannot speak for themselves, for the rights of all who are destitute.’ (Proverbs 31:8) Tearfund speakers are shining more of God’s brilliant light into churches all over the UK, bringing news of lives transformed in the world’s toughest places, and helping congregations see how they can be part of the story.
Sunday 19 January
Alison Dennis shared her experiences of a Tearfund Asia trip, triggering fresh passion for God’s justice in her church. Now the congregation from Kent have become campaigners, joined Tearfund’s Connected Church scheme, and even started considering overseas trips themselves. She says, ‘I’ve been in this church for 25 years and never seen anything like it.’ Praise God for this exciting new chapter.
Monday 20 January
Since hearing Alison Dennis's message of God’s heart for the poor, her church have decided to use Tearfund’s UK community action resource, Just People?, in their small groups. Pray that our speakers will encourage a whole-life awakening that blesses everyone involved.
Tuesday 21 January
‘My prayer is for opportunities to present themselves for speakers. I’m raring to go but invitations aren’t always forthcoming,’ says Bob Forster, Chipping Norton. Pray into whether your church might benefit from booking a Tearfund speaker.
Wednesday 22 January
‘My journey with Tearfund is becoming increasingly exciting and I hope to continue to serve him through inspiring others to become involved and see real, lasting change in communities worldwide.’ Pray for Claire Taylor and for the stories of change that are moving people to act justly, love mercy and walk humbly with God (Micah 6:8).
Thursday 23 January
The work of speakers can be challenging. ‘I’m so thrilled by the work God is doing that I sometimes find it hard when Christians don’t seem to respond in a positive way. Pray that the Holy Spirit would move in their hearts,’ says Keith Harris from Cheadle.
Friday 24 January
‘Please pray that my words will reflect the wonderful commitment and compassion of Tearfund’s partners and for more opportunities to speak to new churches who have little knowledge of Tearfund,’ says Val Dufour from Ipswich.
Saturday 25 January
Father, you generously share your power with us. Help us to use it to serve you, love others and speak boldly for all that you care about. Encourage more churches to open their hearts to your message that to care for people in poverty brings you glory and honour. Amen.
Welcome to the weekend – what you can do
Tearfund has loads of fantastic volunteer speakers, passionate to share the message of how we can be salt and light for a world in need. Pray and talk to your leader about inviting one of them to visit your church. To take one small step on an incredible journey, email or call 0845 521 0021.
FILLING THE GAP: 26 JANUARY – 1 FEBRUARY
Tearfund offers a series of gap year adventures and opportunities – to challenge young people to makepoverty part of their story. We would love you to join us in praying for the individuals and teams whoare heading out to volunteer overseas in Cambodia, Peru, Malawi, Tanzania and South Africa...
Sunday 26 January
Gap year experiences can set the course of the lives of young people. Tearfund’s International Director, David Bainbridge, chose his career path after working alongside poor communities on a gap year trip to Jamaica then to Sudan. Pray that the young people travelling this year will be similarly inspired for a lifetime of standing up against injustice.
Monday 27 January
Ben Hampson, 19, from CradleyHeath, will travel to Malawi to visitTearfund partner Assemblies ofGod Relief and DevelopmentServices. He says, ‘Finances are abit of a worry: we all need to raisefunds to go to Malawi. We plan tomeet up, so please pray that wewill become closer and get to knoweach other better.’
Tuesday 28 January
Jess Loomes, 19, from Felixstowe,will visit Tearfund partners inCambodia – a country of amazingbeauty, ancient cultures andinspiring people. Jess asks for prayerfor her fundraising efforts, thatthey will have a safe trip and adjustquickly to the culture.
Wednesday 29 January
Tim Davies, 28, from Swansea, willspend more than five months inCajamarca in northern Peru. Timasks for prayer to help him and histeam ‘... to adjust to the culture,and overcome the language barrier– learning Spanish might be aproblem! Please also pray againstfeelings of homesickness.’
Thursday 30 January
Keziah Poultney, 18, from Romford,is traveling to South Africa to visitTearfund partner Ethembeni whichbrings hope and care to familiesliving with HIV. Keziah asks forprayer: ‘I am anxious about ourall-girl group: pray that we will besafe. Please also pray for me as Iphysically and spiritually preparefor the trip.’
Friday 31 January
Neil Godon, 21, from Hamiltonin Lanarkshire, will also visitSouth Africa and Tearfund partnerEthembeni. Neil says, ‘Please praythat the South African people willbe able to understand all our weirdand wonderful accents. And pray wewill seek God and get excited aboutthe amazing opportunity we haveto serve him.’
Saturday 1 February
Lord, we lift up all the young peopletravelling with Tearfund this year.We pray that they will have life-changingexperiences and comeback determined to follow Jesuswhere the need is greatest. Amen.
Welcome to the weekend –what you can do
But it’s not just gap year experiences: Tearfundoffers family, prayer and creative trips that lastfrom a few weeks to several months. Is Jesus callingyou, or someone you know, to experience povertyand come back changed? For more details, visit or call 020 8943 7777.
Tearfund Prayer Diary January 2013