{"id":51217,"date":"2023-07-03T00:00:00","date_gmt":"2023-07-03T05:00:00","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.globalministries.org\/?post_type=resource&p=51217"},"modified":"2023-07-06T16:58:10","modified_gmt":"2023-07-06T21:58:10","slug":"pray-with-south-africa-july-9-2023","status":"publish","type":"resource","link":"https:\/\/www.globalministries.org\/resource\/pray-with-south-africa-july-9-2023\/","title":{"rendered":"Pray with South Africa, July 9, 2023"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

Pray with South Africa, July 9, 2023<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n

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Lectionary Selection:<\/strong>  Matthew 11:16-19, 25-30<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Prayers for South Africa<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Eternal and Loving God, we come to you in prayer for your church in Africa and the United Congregational Church of Southern Africa (UCCSA) in particular.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Continue, oh God, working in and through us to will and act for justice. Even though the cross of the gospel is sometimes heavy upon us, we trust the unlimited power of your Holy Spirit to strengthen us for your mission.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

It is your will that we may be united as your body on earth. Grant us to grow more and more towards each other as we draw more to you. May your timeless word nourish our unity and arm us as we pursue the unity of your creation.<\/p>\n\n\n

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We pray against selfish and political interests that work against your mission. Open our eyes to the plight of the suffering in the margins of life. Open our ears to hear their cry. Open our hands to work with them for their nourishment and experience the fullness of life in you.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

May your kingdom come through our work as the United Congregational Church of Southern Africa.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Let your love and peace reign in our world. We ask all this in the name of your Son, our Saviour Jesus Christ. Amen.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Mission Moment for South Africa<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Over the past few years, the United Congregational Church of Southern Africa (UCCSA) has embraced the vision of being a Missional Church. Guided by her theme: \u201cReaching New Frontiers. Hope and Healing,\u201d the UCCSA has expanded its ministry to new territories in Angola and Malawi<\/strong>. This new configuration, when fully completed in the 42nd Assembly in 2024, will see \u2018One Church in Seven countries.\u2019<\/p>\n\n\n

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This is a miracle and a testament of Church Unity in these times when denominations are breaking up and many independent church denominations are springing forth. This is a witness to the fulfillment of John 17:21, where Jesus Christ prays, \u201cThat they may be one.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The UCCSA was established in 1967 and united through the traditions of the London Missionary Society, the American Board of Foreign Missions, the Congregational Union of Southern Africa, and the Christian Church (Disciples of Christ), which later joined in 1972. Hallelujah to the possibility of church unity and renewal.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Mission Partners in South Africa<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n