Daily Reading: 20 May
(from www.christianaid.org.uk)
Christian Aid Week 2023
Day Seven
Something to read
God is our refuge and strength, a very present help in trouble. Therefore we will not fear, though the earth should change, though the mountains shake in the heart of the sea, though its waters roar and foam, though the mountains tremble with its tumult.
- Psalm 46:1-3.
A special series of Daily Bible Readings
It's Christian Aid Week 2023. During this week, we will use the Daily Bible Reading space to invite you to reflect on our work in Malawi and to discern connections between that work and a short passage of scripture. Our readings will be shorter than usual. We hope that this will give you time to explore our Christian Aid Week resources to help shape your daily prayers.
In an earlier reading this week, we asked you to think about the impact of Cyclone Freddy on communities in Malawi. This was the longest-lasting tropical cyclone ever recorded, lasting 34 days. Freddy displaced more than 500, 000 people and killed more than 500.
Communities in Malawi have shown incredible strength and resilience in the wake of this disaster.
Jen, who farms pigeon peas in Malawi, told us:
"Due to the floods, part of my field has also been washed away. I grew maize and pigeon peas in this field... I would like to let people know that we are facing one of the biggest disasters in Malawi and we need their support for us to manage to move out of this. We pray that our God will also help us in getting across these problems."
As we come to the end of this year's Christian Aid Week, we ask for your prayers for the success of fundraising efforts so that we can do more to work with partners in Malawi, particularly following Cyclone Freddy.
A Prayer for Malawi
God is our refuge and strength, a very present help in trouble.
Therefore, we will not fear, though the Earth should change, though the mountains shake in the heart of the sea;
though its waters roar and foam, though the mountains tremble with its tumult.
God who gives refuge to the distressed,
We pray to you for the people of Malawi.
Courageous and determined, they have worked to secure their future
And the future of the next generation.
Now so much that they have grown and nurtured has been swept away by Cyclone Freddy.
O God our comforter, be with those who have suffered trauma.
Give strength to those who feel they cannot go on.
Console those who grieve and who fear for themselves and their families.
We pray for the immediate relief of people in danger as they seek shelter and try to replenish essential supplies.
We pray for the recovery of crops and livelihoods.
We pray that affected communities will soon be able to rebuild and see new growth emerging from the flooded ground.
God of justice, you call on us to act against poverty and inequality.
May we amplify the voices of those who are feeling the effects of climate change.
Year after year, the waters roar and foam, as the climate crisis deepens.
Righteous God, move us to action that we may repair the damage done to our world.
And commit to challenging the unjust structures that put the people of Malawi at risk.
Amen.
Cyclone Freddy - More Information
Today's contributor is Dr Frances Clemson, Christian Aid's Faith Communications and Just Scripture Specialist.