Prayer through Song: Don t be afraid My love is stronger than your fear Hymnal

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1 With Anguished Tears and Bold Prayers, May We Be One An Invitation to Join in Prayer with the People of Nigeria and particularly the Church of the Brethren in Nigeria (EYN--Ekklesiyar Yan uwa a Nigeria) Mindful of our membership in God s global human family, let us join together in daily prayer with all of God s children in Nigeria during this time of suffering, uncertainty, and anguish. Among other tragic events is the kidnapping of over 200 young girls (many of whom are from EYN) from a school in Chibok on April 14. Through the use of these daily guides for prayer, all are invited to hold these grave concerns in the light of Christ s presence, trusting in God s sovereign power and comfort. Wednesday Scripture: Read Isaiah 43:1-7 Prayer Focus: Comforting Assurance of God s Presence, I will be with you Pray for each girl to feel God s loving presence surrounding her (v. 1) For their safety in the midst of captivity (v. 2) For their safe and speedy release (v. 3-7) Prayer through Song: Don t be afraid My love is stronger than your fear Hymnal Supplement Series #1103, The Iona Community. Thursday Scripture: Ephesians 1:15-23 Prayer Focus: The Immeasurable Greatness of God s Power For the religious community in Nigeria to have courage, maintain faith, and trust in God s saving power For those in positions of power in the Nigerian government to act swiftly, justly, peacefully, and with wisdom and courage, serving the common good Give praise to God whose power was and is revealed through Christ who was raised from the dead and rules over all things. Prayer through Song: Oh, for a thousand tongues to sing Hymnal: A Worship Book #110. Friday Scripture: Psalm 9 Prayer Focus: Trusting in God s Righteous Judgment Give thanks and praise with your whole heart and tell of all God s wonderful deeds (v. 1-6) Call on God to execute righteous and equitable judgment on behalf of the innocent victims (v. 7-8) Pray that the girls will put their trust in God and not feel forgotten (v. 9-10; 18) Pray for God s conquering love to transform the kidnappers (v ) Prayer through Song: A mighty fortress is our God Hymnal: A Worship Book#165

2 Additional Resource from a 1996 Annual Conference Statement: God's revelation in Jesus Christ provides a very different sort of answer to the perennial questions intended to justify violence on behalf of victims. Yes, disciples are to care deeply about victims and act on their behalf. But what they do should be in accord with the teachings and spirit of Jesus. Moving against the life of another human being is never in harmony with what God has revealed in Jesus. In faithfulness to the Lord, disciples do not have guns to use against an attacker. Even when terrible inhumanities are being threatened or perpetrated, disciples refuse to become agents or advocates of violence. They cry out with victims. They intercede and pray against the powers of destruction. They may be called into actual accompaniment of victims, sharing their jeopardy, working at mediation, and joining with them in nonviolent resistance to those who victimize them. They seek the Spirit's guidance into creative initiatives that can show the judging love of God to those who move against others... God's intent proclaimed in the Gospel is that all human beings, individually and corporately, give themselves to Jesus Christ and his way. Disciples should strive to make that intent manifest in their lives and witness. They must not, therefore, give their support and blessing to governmental policies and actions that are in stark opposition to the way of Jesus. They seek to propose and promote policies and actions by government that do have some congruence with his way. (Annual Conference Statement of 1996, Nonviolence and Humanitarian Intervention ) Saturday Scripture: Isaiah 40 Prayer Focus: Comfort, Hope, and Strength Pray that God s glory would be revealed even through these trying situations (v. 5) Pray that each girl will feel carried like a lamb in the arms of the Shepherd (v. 11) Give God praise for displaying greatness, wisdom, creative power, and might (vv ) Pray that the families of the girls will receive power when they feel faint-hearted, strength to continue to trust, and a deep steadfastness (vv ) Prayer through Song: They that wait upon the Lord Hymnal: A Worship Book #584) Sunday, May 11, 2014 Mother s Day Scripture: Mark 9:33-37 and 10:13-16 Suggested Acts of Prayerful Solidarity to Consider for Mother s Day: Invite the congregation (especially all women and girls) to wear the color red as a way of joining in the international movement of solidarity for the kidnapped girls Share information with your congregation from the Action Alert issued May 4 by the Office of Public Witness of the Church of the Brethren Share the individual name of the girl assigned to your congregation for prayer, if the letter to your church has arrived by mail in time for Sunday s service Use the attached litany during worship

3 Challenge your congregation to regularly engage in the spiritual discipline of fasting during the coming weeks, replacing a meal with a concentrated time of prayer Share this Additional Resource for reflection from a 1997 Annual Conference statement: Throughout the Bible, children are seen as a blessing and a sign of God's favor, and are often bearers of God's promise for the future. The scriptures call us to care for and defend the children, as they are the most vulnerable members of God's family... In the New Testament, Jesus accords children a kind of respect and attention nearly always reserved for adults. In seeking out children and in naming them as role models for his disciples, Jesus revolutionized attitudes toward the place of the child in the human community... The biblical record, and especially the life and teachings of Jesus, calls on Christians to ensure that children are respected and loved. Rather than being excluded, exiled, or exploited, children are brought to the Master's lap and thus into the center of the circle of his love and concern. They must be treated in the same way by his followers. (Annual Conference statement of 1997, Statement on Child Exploitation ) Litany of Prayer for Mother s Day from Mark 10:13-16 Begin by singing Lord, listen to your children praying Hymnal: A Worship Book #353* (see notes below). One: People were bringing little children to Jesus in order that he might touch them; and the disciples spoke sternly to them. But when Jesus saw this, he was indignant. He rebuked the disciples for sending the children away. All: (hands clasped together in prayer) One: Lord, hear us as we pray Reveal your mighty power that conquered the evil of sin; Through your reconciling, saving Prince of Peace, transform those who would oppress, enslave, and hold young people captive; By your grace and mercy bring a peaceful solution to this crisis. One: And Jesus said, Let the little children come to me; do not stop them; for it is to such as these that the Kingdom of God belongs. Truly I tell you, whoever does not receive the kingdom of God as a little child will never enter it. And he took them up in his arms and laid his hands on them. All: (form the gesture of cradling arms) One: Lord, we symbolically gather the girls into our arms and we pause to hold them tenderly in prayer. We pray for each girl s emotional health,

4 for their spiritual faithfulness, for their physical safety. May they feel your loving arms around them in these moments. One: And then Jesus blessed them. All: (hands outstretched in blessing). One: We pray for their families and all who wait for their release, especially today for their mothers. Gracious God, keep their hope alive when all seems lost, fill them with a peace that passes all understanding, strengthen their trust in You so that by day and by night they might commit their daughters into your loving care and safe-keeping. One: And we proclaim our trust in You. All: (arms raised in praise) One: O Lord You have the power to save; Your love is stronger than hate; Your light revealed through Christ is more powerful than the darkness of human sin; Your life revealed in Christ is stronger than death; And You rose victorious from the grave to conquer death and fear forever. And all of God s people, join in saying Amen! All: Amen! *Consider substituting send them love, send them pow r, send them grace for the last line. Moments of prayer can be taken for each bulleted phrase. The litany can be followed by singing Our Father who art in heaven Hymnal: A Worship Book #351. Monday Scripture: Philippians 1:27-30 Prayer Focus: Faithfulness in partnership and witness Pray for opportunities for EYN to develop cooperative relationships with their Muslim neighbors and to promote peace and harmony in their communities. Pray for the steadfastness they need to endure suffering without giving up hope (v ).

5 Pray for their ability to give a good witness to Jesus Christ, the Prince of Peace, in their communities and to a watching world as they endure this trial. Prayer through Song: Guide my feet Hymnal: A Worship Book #546 Tuesday Scripture: Philippians 4:4-9 Prayer Focus: For peace, patience, and faithfulness in prayer Pray that leaders and members of EYN can rejoice in the presence of Christ within and among them (vv. 4-5). Pray that the power of prayer sustains them (v. 6). Pray that the peace of God which passes all understanding will guard their hearts and minds in Christ Jesus (v. 7). Pray that they can spur one another on to faithfulness when they gather (vv. 8-9). Pray that the power of the Holy Spirit will be poured out among them to bless and strengthen them. Prayer through Song: God sends us the Spirit Hymnal: A Worship Book #293 Annual Conference moderator Nancy Sollenberger Heishman