The loss of license to receive funds from overseas has deeply affected Mennonite Christian Service Fellowship of India, a meeting that unites development and mission work of 8 Anabaptist-Mennonite conferences in India. Pray for discernment as they learn new ways of working and finding funds to support projects. Local churches already face strain to pay pastors.
Photo: Tiz Brotosudarmo

Pray for intergenerational unity in worship. Preferences for worship styles often differ between age cohorts. This can cause arguments or the development of separate worship events. Pray that each generation will extend grace to each other and remain in relationship, willing to learn from each other.
Photo: Windhi Arsari

Praise God for the meetings of the EMLC (European Mennonite Leaders Conference) which are an instrument of forming and building a communion/koinonia among its members. There is an openness and willingness to recognize each other. Pray that these experiences will continue to be taken home and shared further. Praise God for the efforts of the European Coordinator (and MWC Regional Rep) José Arraís continue to bring previously unknown branches of our European Anabaptist-Mennonite family into this communion. Pray that through the diversity of old and new Anabaptist-Mennonites, there is opportunities to refocus on identity, slowly carving new from the old.
Photo: European Mennonite Leaders Conference (EMLC) met in Barcelona, 2023/Liesa Unger

Pray for the superintendent, pastors and congregations of the Cabo Delgado district, which underwent a recent terrorist attack. Pray for terrorist activity to cease in Cabo Delgado and for the church to grow and thrive. Pray also for wisdom for Bishop Mubecane Filipe Manharage as he leads the Church in Mozambique.
—submitted by BIC World Mission
Photo: Canva

For centuries, the Democratic Republic of the Congo has been plundered for its wealth and by the greed of those in power, whose sole concern is their own enrichment.

This affects the way people live together and the national cohesion. In the province of Grand Bandundu, where a large number of Mennonites live, there is armed unrest between the Bayaka and Bateke tribes.

In the east of the country, on the Rwanda-Burundi border, where Mennonites are gradually settling in, an armed rebellion is destabilizing the province. The collapse of the economy has given rise to tensions. Conditions are ripe for ethnic cleansing, which has already begun.

Please pray for the eradication of greed and corruption, and that the Mennonite Christians of DR Congo will give an example of peace in a troubled country. We need your prayerful support.
—submitted by Reverend Professor Érik Kumedisa, Director of the Centre Biblique Anabaptiste, Kinshasa, DR Congo
Photo: Karla Braun

On 3 April 2024, Taiwan was struck by its most powerful earthquake in 25 years, which measured 7.5 in magnitude.
Leaders of FOMCIT (the Mennonite church in Taiwan) report that no members are injured. However, at least nine people have been reported killed, more than 900 injured, and property damage is widespread. The Mennonite hospital in Hualien is prepared to receive emergency patients.

Let us pray for comfort for those who have lost loved ones and for the people who are suffering after the earthquake. Pray for the rescuers searching for trapped people in unstable wreckage with the possibility of aftershocks. Pray for medical teams that are helping the victims.

28 BIC Nepal church members’ houses and the building for worship were destroyed in Rangeli Municipality, Morang District, Nepal, after an electric short circuit sparked a large fire.  

“Now they do not have any shelter to live and nothing left to eat except some burned rice and even most of their cooking vessels are damaged,” writes Shemlal Hembrom, general secretary of Nepal BIC Church/Brethren in Community Welfare Society. “Some people from the neighbouring village and the local youth club members have provided food to the victims. Other local organizations and local churches including BIC church Nepal have planned to provide one month’s food relief, utensil, cooking gas, a pair of clothes, beds, mattress, bed sheets and two plastic tents for temporary shelter to each family.  

“Please pray for all the fire victims and God may open the way specially to support our believers to rebuild their houses and the church building.” 

“Be merciful to me, O God; be merciful to me, for in you my soul takes refuge; in the shadow of your wings I will take refuge, until the destroying storms pass by.”—Psalm 57:1 

We pray for members of the human family who are in the midst of war or violence in their nations. At this time, our hearts cry out especially for our brothers and sisters in Christ in Myanmar, Ethiopia, Ukraine and Palestine. Lord, deliver them and silence the guns and bombs in those countries.
Photo: Merle Good

Myanmar is in the worst situation due to wars. The civil war is intensifying and spreading across the country. There is inflation and lack of employment. Due to the disruption of trade routes and insecurity within the country, a third of Myanmar (more than 18 million people) are in need of food. Among them, more than 200 Mennonite families are in dire straits.

The war between the Myanmar military and the revolutionaries continues with losses for the government. The military junta announced 12 February 2024 that every citizen (ages 18 to 35, regardless of gender) must serve in the military. Young people are banned from leaving the country and face a 5-year prison sentence for refusing conscription. That law will cause suffering for all citizens. Unrest is growing. Some young people many flee to avoid military service. Others seek refuge in the revolutionary groups.

The conscription law poses a special challenge for our Mennonite youth. They are also afraid to attend church and venture outside.

Our country faces many problems, but on the other hand, God is also opening a great door for the spread of the gospel and peace movement. We are doing great in here by the presence of the Holy Spirit.

Please pray for us and for peace in Myanmar.
—a message from the leaders of Bible Missionary Church, Mennonite