PRAY WITH THE WORLD CHURCH
11 February – 9 June 2018
PRAYERS AND REFLECTIONS FROM THE ANGLICAN COMMUNION
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SUSTAINABLE DEVELOPMENT GOALS Jesus laid out his priorities for the kingdom of God and began a movement for change. He envisaged a kingdom in which good news is brought to the poor, release is proclaimed to captives, sight is restored to the blind, and the oppressed go free (Luke 4:18). Some 2,000 years later, some of those radical ideas have become mainstream. In 2016, the United Nations (UN) announced its 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development, with 17 Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) that, in short, aim to end extreme poverty, fight inequality and injustice, and fix climate change. Supporting the church in its call to make present the kingdom of God, USPG works in partnership with local churches around the world that are helping local communities to escape the injustice of poverty in its many guises. The UN does not share the language of the kingdom of God but it has recognised that faith communities have a vital role to play if our common goals are to be achieved. In this prayer diary, we invite you to pray with our partner churches in the Anglican Communion through the lens of the SDGs. The Revd Tim Harford, Director for Communications, USPG
11 – 17 February
SUSTAINABLE DEVELOPMENT GOAL 1: NO POVERTY India: Article by Mayank Thomas, Programme Officer for the Church of North India. The Church of North India (CNI) serves the poorest of the poor, namely the Dalits (Schedule Caste) and the Adivasis (Schedule Tribe), two communities that have been socially disadvantaged for many centuries. Through our Synodical Board of Social Service, which is CNI’s development and justice wing, we are working to reduce Dalit and Adivasi poverty by promoting the social and economic inclusion of disadvantaged communities, with a special focus on women. We aim to reduce poverty by supporting sustainable livelihoods and increasing people’s participation in development and gender empowerment. Bharti’s economic and social conditions changed after she joined one of our Self-Help Groups (SHGs), in South 24 Parganas, in the Diocese of Barrackpore. Until this point, she and her husband had been working very hard to make ends meet and provide for their children. But SHG trained her and gave her an opportunity to take out a loan to start a micro business. Bharti now makes bamboo baskets and sells them at market, and she earns enough to support her family.
Sunday 11 February: Sunday next before Lent Generous God, we thank you for your loving care, and abundant provision for all your children. Give us grace to share your gifts with others, and enable all to lift themselves from poverty to life. Monday 12 Give thanks for the United Nations’ Sustainable Development Goals. Pray that churches, faith groups, governments and other agencies will support the 17 goals. Tuesday 13 Pray for global initiatives that seek to fulfil Sustainable Development Goal 1 to end global poverty. Wednesday 14: Ash Wednesday Give thanks for the work of the Church of North India (CNI) to support vulnerable Dalit and Adivasi communities. Thursday 15 Pray for CNI’s Self-Help Groups that are helping rural communities to participate in education and in society. Friday 16 Pray for all who are marginalised by society and denied opportunities to fulfil their potential. Saturday 17 Pray that God would bless all efforts to end extreme poverty worldwide.
Let My People Go is the focus of the USPG Lent Appeal 2018. Please give generously. Visit www.uspg.org.uk/lent
18 – 24 February
SUSTAINABLE DEVELOPMENT GOAL 2: ZERO HUNGER South Africa: Article by Jenny Dick, Programme Co-ordinator for Hope Africa, the social development arm of the Anglican Church in Southern Africa. Young people in St Stephen’s Parish, in the Diocese of Zululand, have been learning about the Church and Community Mobilisation Process (CCMP). The process encourages people to identify their resources and use them to start small income generation projects. A group of nine young people had finished school but were sitting at home with little hope of employment and no funds to continue in education. But CCMP gave them hope. Noting that the parish had a lot of under-utilised land, the group started farming. They planted maize, beans, butternut squash, cabbages and potatoes. Then they approached the local hospital which agreed to buy some of their produce. The committee now provides maize and vegetables to the hospital on a regular basis. The committee also sells vegetables to local street vendors, which further boosts their income. With the profits, the committee has expanded their business. They have bought seeds, fertiliser and farming implements. The young people also receive a salary. And now the parish has asked the local agricultural office to provide them with training and mentoring. These young people now have hope.
Sunday 18 February: 1st Sunday of Lent Generous God, as your Son fed the hungry with loaves and fishes, and with the bread of life, help us to work together, physically and spiritually, to eradicate hunger in all forms. Monday 19 Pray for global initiatives that seek to fulfil the aims of Sustainable Development Goal 2 so that all people might know food security. Tuesday 20 Give thanks for the work of the Diocese of Zululand to bring food security to vulnerable communities. Wednesday 21 Pray for the young people in St Stephen’s Parish as they seek to live productive lives. Thursday 22 Pray for Anglican Churches worldwide as they seek to fulfil God’s mission by reaching out to communities that face poverty and hunger. Friday 23 Pray for the Anglican Church in South Africa as it seeks to be the hands and feet of Christ. Saturday 24 Pray for courage for the church in South Africa as it seeks to be a prophetic voice in condemning corruption.
Your church can help to improve livelihoods in Southern Africa as a USPG Partner In Mission. See www.uspg.org.uk/pim
25 February – 3 March
SUSTAINABLE DEVELOPMENT GOAL 3: GOOD HEALTH AND WELL-BEING Tanzania: Article by Dr Frank Haji, Provincial Co-ordinator for Health of the Anglican Church of Tanzania. The Anglican Church of Tanzania (ACT) is one of the leading faith-based organisations in Tanzania providing health services across the country, especially in remote areas. With 37 health facilities, ACT is contributing over five per cent of health services in rural Tanzania. In addition, ACT manages five nursing schools which train 30 per cent of nurses. One community benefiting from the church’s health work is in Chamwino District. This district, with a population of 330,000, is one of the poorest in Tanzania. The area is dry, with minimal seasonal rains. Outbreaks of diarrhoea and cholera are common, and there is a high prevalence of tuberculosis and HIV/AIDS. Through Mvumi Mission Hospital, the church implemented a programme in five villages to prevent the transfer of HIV from mothers to babies. Over three years, we reached over 6,000 women of child-bearing age and were able to safeguard the lives of babies born to HIV-positive mothers. Supporting the SDGs is very important for the church in Tanzania because our government has insufficient health resources to reach every community.
Sunday 25 February: 2nd Sunday of Lent Loving Lord, you came to bring healing and wholeness that people and communities might know fullness of life. Bless all who work to bring health, dignity and a future for all who suffer from disease and malady. Monday 26 Pray for global initiatives that seek to fulfil the aims of Sustainable Development Goal 3 so that all people might experience a healthy life. Tuesday 27 Give thanks for the USPG-supported programme in Tanzania that seeks to end the transmission of HIV from mothers to their babies. Wednesday 28 Pray for all 37 Anglican health institutions in Tanzania. Pray for funding so this work may continue. Thursday 1 March Pray that Christians might seek well-being for all in mind, body and spirit. Friday 2 Pray for church leaders in Tanzania as they grapple with the stewardship of historic mission legacies. Saturday 3 Pray for people and communities who are especially vulnerable, including children and those with disabilities.
Your church can help protect babies from HIV in Tanzania as a USPG Partner In Mission. See www.uspg.org.uk/pim
4–10 March
SUSTAINABLE DEVELOPMENT GOAL 4: QUALITY EDUCATION Sri Lanka: Article by Fr Lakshman Daniel, of the Church of Ceylon. In the mid-nineteenth century, poor Indian Tamil plantation workers were brought to Sri Lanka, then called Ceylon, to sustain the tea industry, mainly in the central hills of Sri Lanka. Today, this community is held in a modern form of slavery, facing many socio-cultural and political concerns. The Church of Ceylon is doing what it can to help children, who are the most vulnerable group within the tea estate communities. Our Estate Community Development Mission runs nursery schools and after-school centres for some of the most vulnerable children. The children are given a meal and teachers provide activities which help the children educationally and socially. This work is helping to change a culture of dependence: rather than depending on the employment of tea estate owners, children are being prepared for a formal education. And we are pleased to report that children from many tea estates have been supported through A Levels and even provided with scholarships so they can attend university. It is not the will of God that anyone should live as slaves. Therefore, we are taking every possible step to support sustainable development to ensure peace and prosperity in this community, with both material and spiritual growth.
Sunday 4 March: 3rd Sunday of Lent Holy God, your Son, Christ the teacher, taught disciples and multitudes in word and action. Inspire us to strive for a good education for all that better lives and potential may be realised by all. Monday 5 Pray for global initiatives that seek to fulfil the aims of Sustainable Development Goal 4 so that all people might have access to lifelong learning. Tuesday 6 Give thanks for the USPG-supported work of the Church of Ceylon among the children of Sri Lanka’s tea plantation communities. Wednesday 7 Pray for vulnerable Tamil communities in Sri Lanka who only have access to low-paid jobs, such as tea picking. Thursday 8 Pray that all children in Sri Lanka might have access to education, from nursery school to university. Friday 9 Give thanks for the Church of Ceylon as it seeks to resolve tensions between Tamil and Sinhalese communities. Saturday 10 Pray for Anglicans worldwide as they provide education for those who are excluded.
Your church can help educate plantation children in Sri Lanka as a USPG Partner In Mission. See www.uspg.org.uk/pim
11–17 March
SUSTAINABLE DEVELOPMENT GOAL 5: GENDER EQUALITY South Africa: Article by Thandeka Mashwama, Programme Co-ordinator for Hope Africa. The Siyalingana Sonke Gender Programme aims to create safe spaces for people to discuss gender-related issues and how they can eradicate violence. These important discussions take place in communities through workshops, pastoral training, groups for men and boys, and healing-of-memory processes. In Gauteng Province, South Africa, we conducted a survey to discover how women viewed the role of the church with respect to matters of sexual and gender-based violence. We met Nomsa (not her real name), a young woman who had survived sexual violence, substance abuse and human trafficking. Through our gender programme, Nomsa received counselling to aid her journey towards healing. She found her voice and started speaking publicly against gender-based violence. In her words, she wanted to be the ‘voice of the voiceless’. As a result of her bravery and her public exposure, Nomsa has received donations that are helping to fund her education. We continue to pray for Nomsa. It is important for the church to contribute towards implementing the Sustainable Development Goals because we are called to bring about positive changes in society.
Sunday 11 March: 4th Sunday of Lent/Mothering Sunday Loving God, like a mother, you gather your children as a hen gathers her chicks, for protection and care. Inspire your church to eradicate prejudice and violence against women, children and men, all created in your image. Monday 12 Pray for global initiatives that seek to fulfil the aims of Sustainable Development Goal 5 so that there might be gender equality throughout the world. Tuesday 13 Pray for the effectiveness of the Siyalingana Sonke Gender Programme that is being run throughout southern Africa. Wednesday 14 Pray for Nomsa as she struggles to rebuild her life after experiencing horrific violence (see article). Thursday 15 Give thanks for Anglican initiatives around the world that seek to empower women and girls. Friday 16 Pray that men and boys might change their attitudes to gender so they might steer clear of violence. Saturday 17 Pray that Christians might better understand the profound words of St Paul when he said ‘there is no longer male and female’ in Christ (Gal 3:28).
Your Lenten gift to USPG will help Anglicans Churches address the Sustainable Development Goals. Please use donation form.
18–24 March
SUSTAINABLE DEVELOPMENT GOAL 6: CLEAN WATER AND SANITATION Myanmar: Article by San Lin, a development officer with the Church of the Province of Myanmar. For many years, the people of Wa Me Klar village, high in the mountains, had to climb for three hours to reach the nearest stream that provided clean drinking water. Often this was a job for women and children, who would struggle to carry the heavy buckets. But now the villagers’ lives have been transformed because water pipes have been installed by the Church of Myanmar. No-one has to climb and fetch water because water comes to the village. ‘Now we can take a bath in our houses,’ a 60-year old woman tells me. The village chief says: ‘I can grow vegetables and raise goats inside my compound. Thank you very much!’ For decades, this village, in Hpa’an Diocese, was targeted by the military. In the mid-70s, most of the houses were burned and the people fled. But since peace negotiations in 2005, the people have been returning home. There are 30 households, with around 100 residents. Before the water programme there were many cases of diarrhoea and other illnesses. But now the people understand about sanitation. When the church arrived in the village, they showed the people how to lay pipes and build cisterns, and they worked hard together to achieve their goal.
Sunday 18 March: 5th Sunday of Lent/Passion Sunday Holy God, you are the wellspring of life, the source of living water. Inspire your church to passionately work to provide for that basic need of clean water and sanitation for all your children. Monday 19: Joseph of Nazareth Pray for global initiatives that seek to fulfil the aims of Sustainable Development Goal 6 so that all people might have access to clean water and sanitation. Tuesday 20 Give thanks for the USPG-supported water and sanitation work of the Church of Myanmar. Wednesday 21 Give thanks that the community of Wa Me Klar, in Hpa’an Diocese, has access to clean water. Thursday 22 Pray for wisdom for the Church of Myanmar as it seeks to share God’s love in a tense political climate. Friday 23 Pray for the sustainable use of water so that water doesn’t become a commodity that belongs to the rich and powerful at the expense of the poor and vulnerable. Saturday 24 Pray for people to know that if we come to Jesus ‘rivers of living water’ shall flow out of our hearts (John 7:37).
USPG works in partnership with the Church of Myanmar, to provide healthcare and clean water to rural communities.
25–31 March
SUSTAINABLE DEVELOPMENT GOAL 7: AFFORDABLE AND CLEAN ENERGY UK: Article by Jo Musker-Sherwood, Campaign Co-ordinator for Hope for the Future, which trains faith communities and others in the UK to work with policymakers on climate change. There are currently 1.06 billion people worldwide who have no access to electricity, so there is a long way to go to secure clean and affordable energy for all. A church in MP Laurence Robertson’s constituency decided to take action by lobbying Laurence to encourage the government to support sustainable energy. A member of the church reported: ‘Our church believed it was important to engage Laurence on climate change. However, we had grown increasingly frustrated by his noncommittal stance on climate change. A meeting with Hope for the Future provided us with some valuable advice about the tone of our forthcoming conversation – that we must seek to build a relationship with Laurence based on common ground. We identified a number of constructive questions, including areas in which Laurence had demonstrated prior interest, and were pleased when he consequently undertook to write to the relevant minister about climate change. ‘When we next met Laurence, we focused on solar energy, and we have been so pleased to see that he has since spoken in support of solar energy in parliament no less than five times!’
Sunday 25 March: Palm Sunday Sustaining God, today your Son enters Jerusalem to confront the authorities, destined for his Passion. We pray for all who advocate for climate justice today, and for those in authority, that they may respond to your will. Monday 26 Pray for global initiatives that seek to fulfil the aims of Sustainable Development Goal 7 so that all people might have access to sustainable energy. Tuesday 27 Pray for Hope for the Future as it seeks to persuade UK churches and MPs of the importance of sustainable energy. Wednesday 28 Pray for global initiatives to develop alternatives to fossil fuels so that we may have a healthier planet. Thursday 29: Maundy Thursday Give thanks for the work of Anglican Churches to promote fair access to energy. Friday 30: Good Friday Pray that governments and business leaders might reconsider the relentless burning of fossil fuels. Saturday 31 Pray for initiatives in rural communities that seek to find alternative means to cutting down trees for fuel, such as making ‘briquettes’ from charcoal and leaves.
USPG is a founding partner of Hope for the Future. Climate justice is a priority of our global church partners.
1–7 April
SUSTAINABLE DEVELOPMENT GOAL 8: DECENT WORK AND ECONOMIC GROWTH India: Article by the Rt Revd Eggoni Pushpalalitha, Bishop of Nandyal, who set up the USPG-supported Skills Training Centre in Kurnool. Even though India is emerging as a developing country, most women in rural areas are denied an education; they are neglected, abused and exploited. In this context, our skills development and leadership training programme is helping to empower, enhance and encourage rural girls to generate income for their livelihoods and well-being. The training provides skills in sewing, spoken English, computer technology, painting, making baskets and paper decorations, as well as teaching them about the Bible so they are equipped with spiritual knowledge. Through this training, the girls are empowered with self-confidence, self-dignity, personality improvement and independence. They learn to stand on their own financially and can support their families. The programme empowers the girls in a tremendous way that changes their lives, shifting them from being agricultural labourers or maids to having professional job-orientated lives for their own survival and protection. Added to this, they acquire the ability to organise, make decisions, take on leadership roles, and participate meaningfully in society.
Sunday 1 April: Easter Day Alleluia, Christ is risen: he is risen indeed, Alleluia! We pray that all people, through decent work and economic growth, may live fulfilled lives and share the joy of the resurrection life. Monday 2 Pray for global initiatives that seek to fulfil the aims of Sustainable Development Goal 8 so there might be decent work and economic growth for all. Tuesday 3 Give thanks for the Skills Training Centre, in Kurnool, South India, as it provides teenage girls with opportunities for employment and education. Wednesday 4 Pray for empowerment for women and girls in India. Pray that they might grow in self-confidence. Thursday 5 Give thanks for Anglican Churches that are lobbying governments to share resources among all people. Friday 6 Pray that all people might find a sense of purpose in life and that their work – paid or unpaid – might be to the glory of God. Saturday 7 Pray that we might dare to embrace alternative economic structures that ensure a full life for all.
USPG has made a three-year commitment to the Kurnool skills training programme in the Diocese of Nandyal.
8 – 14 April
SUSTAINABLE DEVELOPMENT GOAL 9: INDUSTRY, INNOVATION AND INFRASTRUCTURE Philippines: Article by Floyd Lalwet, Provincial Secretary of the Episcopal Church of the Philippines (ECP). On 8 November 2013, the strongest typhoon to make landfall in recorded history hit the central islands of the Philippines, causing massive destruction to homes and farmland and claiming more than 6,000 lives. ECP wanted to help. We presented communities with two options. For the first option, we explained that international donations were available to rehabilitate farmlands – with no need to pay the money back. The second option was an invitation to join ECP’s Receivers to Givers scheme, whereby we provide loans so communities can carry out the work themselves, with the proviso that they pay back the loans after their first harvest so ECP can then support other communities. The community of Barangay Cabuloran opted for the ECP scheme. They committed to paying back the grant within six months, but did so in five. They then took out a larger grant, which they paid back in six months. This cycle went on, with the community able to buy seeds and farming equipment. Today, 78 households in Barangay Cabuloran are earning more to support themselves than they were before the typhoon. Conventional grants would have been spent within months; our scheme is helping to rebuild and sustain communities.
Sunday 8 April: 2nd Sunday of Easter Loving God, we thank you for your generous provision for all your people. We repent of the world’s inequalities, and pray for a fairer distribution of your life-giving gifts, that no-one may be excluded from the life you will for them. Monday 9: Annunciation of our Lord Pray for global initiatives that seek to fulfil Sustainable Development Goal 9 so that there might be inclusive and sustainable industry and infrastructure. Tuesday 10 Give thanks for the Episcopal Church in the Philippines as it encourages innovation. Wednesday 11 Give thanks for the Receivers to Givers programme which is supporting communities devastated by Typhoon Haiyan. Thursday 12 Pray for wisdom for churches in the Philippines, in a country where a rich elite monopolises resources. Friday 13 Pray for initiatives around the world to support innovation and economic practice that includes all. Saturday 14 Give thanks for Christians through the centuries who have been at the forefront of championing economy reforms that leave no-one out.
Receivers to Givers will be the focus of USPG’s Harvest Appeal 2018. See www.uspg.org.uk/harvest for details.
PRAY WITH THE WORLD CHURCH 11 FEBRUARY – 9 JUNE 2018
Britain & Ireland: Pray for parliaments to support climate justice.
Greece: Pray for hope for migrants and refugees. Sierra Leone: Pray for communities affected by flooding.
Brazil: Pray for marginalised communities in the Amazon. Ghana: Pray for an end to poverty in all its forms.
Sri Lanka: Give thanks for schools for tea plantation children.
Global: Pray for support for the United Nations’ Sustainable Development Goals.
India: Give thanks for job skills training for girls.
Myanmar: Give thanks for water programmes in rural areas. Philippines: Pray for an end to destructive mining.
Tanzania: Give thanks for churchrun health work.
South Africa: Pray for an end to hunger and gender equality.
Fiji: Pray for communities affected by rising sea levels.
15–21 April
SUSTAINABLE DEVELOPMENT GOAL 10: REDUCED INEQUALITIES Ghana: Article by the Rt Revd Jacob Ayeebo, Bishop of Tamale. With the support of our partners, like USPG, the Anglican Church of Ghana is addressing inequality through its Poverty Alleviation Project. We help communities to boost the production of cereals, such as maize and millet, with a particular emphasis on helping women, encouraging goat and sheep rearing, and supporting small business initiatives, such as processing nuts to make cakes, oil and butter. Women who previously depended on their husbands are now able to make bigger financial contributions to support their families. Akugri, from Boya-Kpalsako, is a beneficiary of a goat rearing programme. She told us: ‘Before, I could not feed myself or my children properly. But now I have seven animals, from which I sell the offspring to provide for some basic needs. Recently, I sold one animal to buy fertiliser for my maize farm. Now I can feed my children and buy school materials, so people give me respect. May God bless the church and those who support the poor.’ This is an example of how the Anglican Communion has a pivotal role to play in helping to accomplish the SDGs. It is important because when people’s basic needs are met they are free to be able to commit to the principles of Christ.
Sunday 15 April: 3rd Sunday of Easter Loving Lord, thank you that you create us all equally: sisters and brothers of a huge human family. Inspire us to overcome inequalities and divisions that the world may be a fairer home for all. Monday 16 Pray for initiatives addressing Sustainable Development Goal 10 so there might be equality for all. Tuesday 17 Pray for the Anglican Church of Ghana’s Poverty Alleviation Project. Wednesday 18 Pray for Akugri and her neighbours in Boya-Kpalsako, as they seek to develop income generation initiatives to support their families (see article). Thursday 19 Pray for the Church in Ghana as it works with the government and agencies to overcome inequalities. Friday 20 Pray for cross-cultural and international initiatives of the church that foster greater co-operation between people of different nationalities and traditions. Saturday 21 Pray that all countries might seek the well-being of all, irrespective of age, sex, sexuality, disability, race or religion.
Your Lenten gift to USPG will help Anglicans Churches address the Sustainable Development Goals. Please use donation form.
22–28 April
SUSTAINABLE DEVELOPMENT GOAL 11: SUSTAINABLE CITIES AND COMMUNITIES Greece: Article by Rebecca Boardman, USPG Programmes Co-ordinator for Advocacy and Mission. A sustainable and resilient city is one that is able to adapt to new pressures. In Greece, migration is one of those pressures. In recent years, thousands of refugees fleeing war and persecution in Syria, Iraq, Afghanistan, Iran, and elsewhere, have been arriving in Greece, creating challenges in Athens. Despite limited resources, the Anglican Chaplaincy in Athens made use of its strong relationships. It realised that by working together local churches could address the refugee situation more effectively. So the chaplaincy began co-ordinating a Churches Together network that included the Salvation Army, Greek Orthodox Church, Jesuits, Roman Catholics, and others. Churches Together allowed church leaders to discuss what they were doing. By communicating, churches could avoid duplicating their efforts and share their resources more effectively. For example, an Afghani family hosted by the Jesuits was able to invite a Farsi interpreter from the Salvation Army to help register their children in school. And Apostoli, the development arm of the Greek Orthodox Church, was able to invite children from all church groups to attend their education activities. These acts of co-operation may seem small but they were so valuable to those involved.
Sunday 22 April: 4th Sunday of Easter Lord, your word leads us to the new Jerusalem, a place where there will be no more tears or pain. Provoke your church to work together for that day, and make that vision a reality for all who are excluded today. Monday 23: George, martyr Pray for global initiatives that seek to fulfil the aims of Sustainable Development Goal 11 so that there might be sustainable cities and communities. Tuesday 24 Give thanks for the work of the Anglican Chaplaincy in Athens as it works ecumenically to support refugees. Wednesday 25: Mark the Evangelist Pray for those who fled fighting in Syria but who are now struggling to build a new life. Thursday 26 Pray that cities and communities around the world might be prepared and resilient so migrants might receive a good welcome. Friday 27 Pray for an end to oppression and discrimination in Iran and Afghanistan and other countries around the world. Saturday 28 Give thanks for Anglican Churches around the world as they reach out to the stranger in their midst.
USPG works in partnership with the Diocese in Europe to assist refugees in Greece. Your donations will help this work.
29 April – 5 May
SUSTAINABLE DEVELOPMENT GOAL 12: RESPONSIBLE CONSUMPTION & PRODUCTION UK: Article by Alison Prout, of the Ecumenical Council for Corporate Responsibility (ECCR), which is working with USPG to lobby for responsible business practice. USPG has connections with church communities around the world, and it is USPG’s connections that have formed the basis for a USPG-ECCR partnership project focused on the Philippines. The Philippines is a leading producer of nickel. The country is also a significant producer of gold and copper; it exports some iron ore, chromium, zinc and silver, and it produces oil and gas. However, the mining industry in the Philippines is accused of causing significant environmental damage and the large-scale displacement of indigenous people. This is not sustainable production. What can be done? Filipinos have told us about the impact that extractive mining is having on their country. ECCR is now working with our members – church investors and asset managers – to engage with the mining companies to seek changes in their production processes. Our advocacy work is in keeping with SDG 12, which aims to ‘encourage companies, especially large and transnational companies, to adopt sustainable practices and to integrate sustainability information into their reporting cycle’.
Sunday 29 April: 5th Sunday of Easter Generous God, thank you for all that you give us. Help us to consume of your gifts responsibly, and work together to protect your Creation, that all may share in the provision of your goodness. Monday 30 Pray for initiatives to fulfil Sustainable Development Goal 12 for responsible consumption and production. Tuesday 1 May: Philip and James, Apostles Give thanks for the work of the Ecumenical Council for Corporate Responsibility (ECCR) in promoting responsible investment. Wednesday 2 Pray for the USPG-ECCR partnership as it lobbies on behalf of Filipino communities suffering due to local mining. Thursday 3 Pray for Christians and peace activists in the Philippines who speak out on behalf of marginalised communities. Friday 4 Pray that the world might find alternative lifestyles that do not necessitate endless production and consumption. Saturday 5 Pray that we might remember we are stewards of God’s Creation, as expressed in Psalm 24:1: ‘The earth is the Lord’s and all that is in it.’
Your gifts to USPG help Anglicans Churches address the SDGs. Please make a donation using the form in this prayer diary.
6–12 May
SUSTAINABLE DEVELOPMENT GOAL 13: CLIMATE ACTION Sierra Leone: Article by Jonathan Abiose Thomas, Project Co-ordinator for the Diocese of Freetown. In August 2017, after days of torrential rain, Sierra Leone’s capital Freetown woke up to a deadly mudslide and flooding. Over 1,000 lives were lost, including many women and children. Homes, schools and churches were buried under rubble, leaving tens of thousands homeless and desolate. The Diocese of Freetown donated emergency supplies, with support from USPG. We also worked with the Council of Churches of Sierra Leone to support victims. In Sierra Leone, there are storms and torrential rain for around half the year. A recent investigation found these storms have increased threefold since 1982, most likely due to global warming. Furthermore, forecasters predict this warming will continue, leading to even more intense rainfall, so flooding and landslides will be more common. Matters are made more complicated by deforestation, with trees being cut down for fuel or to make room for houses. Without trees, the soil does not hold together and can be easily dislodged by storms. The SDGs are an attempt to transform the world. This cannot be achieved without the input of the church. Our ecosystem is being threatened. Poverty and gender inequalities are commonplace. We pray that the SDGs will be achieved.
Sunday 6 May: 6th Sunday of Easter Thank you for the world you have entrusted to our care: for its beauty and for the interconnectedness of all life. Helps us to be responsible stewards of Creation, and work together for the preservation of the earth. Monday 7 Pray for global initiatives that seek to fulfil the aims of Sustainable Development Goal 13 so that more can be done to tackle climate change. Tuesday 8 Give thanks for the Anglican Church in Sierra Leone as it reaches out to communities affected by deadly mudslides. Wednesday 9 Pray that Anglicans might inspire and encourage others to take action to combat climate change. Thursday 10: Ascension Day Pray that churches in Britain and Ireland might be inspired to engage more deeply in campaigning for climate justice. Friday 11 Pray for low-lying countries that are particularly vulnerable to rising sea levels as a result of a changing climate. Saturday 12 Pray for those who are working to limit the causes of climate change and reduce the impact on the environment.
USPG sent a Rapid Response Fund grant to support relief work in Sierra Leone. Donate to this fund at www.uspg.org.uk/donate
13–19 May
SUSTAINABLE DEVELOPMENT GOAL 14: LIFE BELOW WATER Fiji: Article by the Rt Revd Apimeleki Qiliho, Assistant Bishop, Diocese of Polynesia. I am indigenous to the village of Rukurukulevu, in the province of Nadroga, in Fiji. I was born into the Nahatogo clan and, like every indigenous Fijian, I derive an identity and sense of belonging from the vanua (land). Over the years, there has been increasing erosion of the beach surrounding my village. What was once beach and habitable soil has gradually washed away into the lagoon. This is an example of climate-induced changes to our physical landscape. The lagoon has become shallower and the water dirtier. Sedimentation and thick deposits of sand also mean that the health of the marine ecosystems we rely on for our livelihoods and daily sustenance are now non-existent. Climate change is upon us. Fiji has made some great strides in the areas of climate change adaptation and climate change mitigation. Proactive approaches, multi-lateral co-operation and innovation are needed to shore up the Pacific and, indeed, the world. More can be done if we are of one mind, one heart and one spirit. We are working to safeguard a future that is not ours, but the future of our children. Work must begin now for that future.
Sunday 13 May: 7th Sunday of Easter Holy God, your spirit moved over the face of the waters, bringing light and life to your world, which was good. Inspire us to protect your Creation today, the land, sea and air, that the whole created order may know your saving power. Monday 14: Matthias the Apostle Pray for global initiatives that seek to fulfil the aims of Sustainable Development Goal 14 so that seas might be free from pollution. Tuesday 15 Give thanks for the Anglican Church in Polynesia as it seeks to support communities affected by rising sea levels. Wednesday 16 Pray for the people of Rukurukulevu, Fiji, as they struggle to earn a livelihood despite the erosion of land. Thursday 17 Pray for low-lying countries, like Bangladesh, that are susceptible to rising sea levels caused by climate change. Friday 18 Pray for the churches and other faith communities and organisations that seek to raise awareness of climate change. Saturday 19 Pray that world leaders might put the future welfare of children ahead of the prospect of making a profit by exploiting the environment today.
Your gifts to USPG help Anglicans Churches address the SDGs. Please make a donation using the form in this prayer diary.
20–26 May
SUSTAINABLE DEVELOPMENT GOAL 15: LIFE ON LAND Brazil: Article by Ruth de Barros, of the Diocese of the Amazon. One of Brazil’s most serious problems is that large areas of land are in the hands of very few owners. This inequality has led to conflict over the years, dating back to colonisation by the Portuguese. Today, this inequality continues, made worse by the aggressive interests of large agro-industrial corporations. Dozens who stand in opposition are murdered every year and the vast majority of culprits go unpunished. Many movements have arisen in opposition, such as the Peasant Leagues, Pastoral Land Commission, and Landless Workers’ Movement. But successive governments and a powerful elite seek to repress protesters. The Diocese of the Amazon was invited to the small town of Bujarú to work with a farmers’ organisation. Interestingly, these campaigners for the democratisation of the land have turned to spirituality to give them hope. It is common to hear them use the word ‘mysticism’, which is understood as the power that moves us on our path. The farmers face powerful forces – which St Paul called ‘principalities and powers’ – we know them by their corporate names and logos, and they need to be confronted. It is only through the articulation of a worldwide network that we can win freedom for the people of the Amazon.
Sunday 20 May: Pentecost Holy Spirit, sent by the Father, ignite in us your holy fire for justice and peace. Revive your church with the breath of your spirit and renew, with us, the face of the earth. Monday 21 Pray for global initiatives that seek to fulfil the aims of Sustainable Development Goal 15 so that there might be better stewardship of the land. Tuesday 22 Pray for the Diocese of the Amazon as it supports communities and campaigns against the violent corporations. Wednesday 23 Pray that large-scale agri-business might be prevented from destroying land in the Amazon so that farming communities might sustain their traditional ways of life. Thursday 24 Give thanks for USPG-supported programmes of the world church to care for the environment. Friday 25 Pray that governments and big businesses might seek to protect our natural environment. Saturday 26 Pray that people might celebrate knowing that all things were made by God (John 1:3).
Your gifts to USPG help Anglican Churches address the SDGs. Please make a donation using the form in this prayer diary.
27 May – 2 June
SUSTAINABLE DEVELOPMENT GOAL 16: PEACE, JUSTICE AND STRONG INSTITUTIONS Britain and Ireland: Article by Emma Bridger, USPG Programme Monitoring and Evaluation Manager. We have set up an interfaith working group to look at how our communities can support the implementation of the SDGs in the UK. We are reminded that the SDGs are for every country. This means the goals can be a means to challenge the dominant model of economic development in the west, which is not only unsustainable in its squandering of the earth’s resources, but also maintains financial inequality around the world. Of course, the principles behind the SDGs are not new to the world’s religions – they are enshrined in ancient holy texts. However, the common pursuit of these goals does provide faith communities with a new opportunity to unite around a common cause – something that is much needed in our present era of Brexit and religious sensitivities. Our working group conducted a questionnaire to gather information on some of the incredible work that faith groups are already engaged in across Britain and Ireland with respect to the SDGs. We have an opportunity to show the country – and the world – that many in our faith communities have a long-standing commitment to working in harmony as we seek peace, security and decent economic growth for all.
Sunday 27 May: Trinity Sunday O God, our Creator, Redeemer and Sustainer, one God, revealed to us as Trinity. Bless all who work in your glorious name to bring peace and justice to your world. Monday 28 Pray for global initiatives seeking to fulfil the aims of Sustainable Development Goal 16, seeking justice for all. Tuesday 29 Pray for the work of USPG in co-ordinating an interfaith working group to promote engagement with the SDGs. Wednesday 30 Pray for peace between people of different cultures and faiths, or no faith, in Britain and Ireland. Thursday 31: Corpus Christi Pray for growing recognition that faith communities play a vital role in global development. Friday 1 June: Visit of the Blessed Virgin Mary to Elizabeth Pray that ‘secular’ organisations might appreciate the role of faith in the lives of those they seek to help. Saturday 2 Pray for peaceful, just and inclusive societies around the world so that all people might feel safe and able to seek to live a full life.
Your gifts to USPG help Anglican Churches address the SDGs. Please make a donation using the form in this prayer diary.
3–9 June
SUSTAINABLE DEVELOPMENT GOAL 17: PARTNERSHIPS FOR THE GOALS Global: Article by USPG Research and Learning Adviser Jo Sadgrove. Faith played a significant role during the early days of the HIV crisis in Uganda and elsewhere in Africa. Indeed, Uganda’s ‘success story’ blurred unhelpful dividing lines between ‘secular’ approaches to the pandemic and the responses of faith-based organisations (FBOs) and faith actors. Those from all sectors of society worked in partnership to effect change. This recognition of faith actors meant funding typically preserved for secular NGOs became available to FBOs. As a result, FBOs were drawn into more ‘secular’ approaches to development. An outcome of this ‘professionalisation’ was an increased focus on gathering statistics. In this process, FBOs lost some of their emphasis on the intangible benefits that faith can provide, such as hope, relationship and esteem. Today, without neglecting the need for responsible monitoring and information gathering, FBOs – like USPG – are re-emphasising the importance of relationships. In Lesotho, USPG is supporting an Anglican health programme that encourages villagers to discuss their wellbeing. In so doing, villagers are supporting each other in ways that are complex to quantify. One said: ‘I felt lonely after my daughter passed on. But this programme helped me to meet others.’
Sunday 3 June: 1st Sunday after Trinity Holy God, you call us to work in partnership to achieve the Sustainable Development Goals. Inspire us and prompt us by your Holy Spirit knowing that ‘for God all things are possible’. Monday 4 Pray for global initiatives that build partnerships to meet the aims of the Sustainable Development Goals. Tuesday 5 Pray that the institutions that oversee global development will understand the vital role that faith-based organisations have to play. Wednesday 6 Give thanks for the work of USPG, which has been supporting global development for centuries. Thursday 7 Pray for the success of the SDGs. Pray that faith and non-faith communities might be united in this work. Friday 8 Pray for more awareness of the SDGs as providing a valuable framework through which to address global challenges. Saturday 9 Give thanks that, while the task of changing the world for the better is difficult for people, ‘for God all things are possible’ (Matt 19:26).
Churches can become Partners In Mission, with every penny going to your chosen programme. www.uspg.org.uk/pim
PARTNERS IN MISSION USPG works in partnership with Anglican Churches around the world to support sustainable development programmes.
You and your church can support this work through our new direct-giving scheme Partners In Mission. We have 12 programmes for you to choose from – covering Bangladesh, India, Malawi, South Africa, Sri Lanka, Tanzania, Zambia and Zimbabwe – with 100 per cent of your donations going direct to the programme. Those who commit to becoming partners in mission will be sent news updates, prayer requests and church resources. We can also visit your church to speak about your programme.
Find out more at www.uspg.org.uk/pim or call David Brand on 020 7921 2210
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USPG is an Anglican mission agency supporting churches around the world in their mission to bring fullness of life to the communities they serve. Theologically, practically and financially, we encourage and enable churches within the Anglican Communion to act as the hands and feet of Christ. Together, we are working to improve health, tackle poverty, put children in school, challenge discrimination, nurture leaders, give a voice to women, and much more Founded 1701.