TEARFUND PRAYER DIARY OCTOBER 2017
Fall armyworm infestation: 1 – 7 October
The African armyworm has ravaged maize crops across Africa for many years. However, the fall armyworm was first detected on the African continent from South America around January 2016. The fall armyworm eats practically anything growing, the females lay thousands of eggs in their short lifetime, and the moths can fly up to 100km a day. It is also resistant to common pesticides. Experts are warning it could cause a massive food crisis across Africa, and even impact Europe and Asia.
Sunday 1 October
From its initial detection in Nigeria, the worm has spread across western and central African countries, and now the south, in at least 20 countries. Ghana has declared a state of emergency over the matter. Pray for a halt to the spread of this infestation.
Monday 2 October
Many countries across Africa are already facing food crises because of adverse weather conditions and climate change. The UN warn that 20 million face starvation and famine in Yemen, Somalia, South Sudan and Nigeria. The drought conditions are perfect for the fall armyworm to breed. The addition of this infestation to the current crisis could tip these countries over the brink. Pray for those already struggling with food insecurity.
Tuesday 3 October
Some farmers are increasing the doses of insecticides to try and stop the fall armyworm but this rarely works, and poses a health risk for consumers and the environment. Pray for the millions of farmers who are dependent on their crops for their livelihood, that they would make good choices when faced with this challenge.
Wednesday 4 October
Brazil spends $600m annually on containment of the fall armyworm. America uses Genetically Modified (GMO) maize to avoid the impact, although there is resistance to GMO crops in Africa. Pray for God's wisdom for governments across Africa as they make plans and policies for agricultural production and the possible impact of the fall armyworm.
Thursday 5 October
Both the African armyworm and fall armyworm love maize, the staple crop across many African countries. The only major crop so far to have resistance to the fall armyworm is cassava. Pray that farmers would get the knowledge they need to be able to survive the possible destruction of their crops.
Friday 6 October
Thank God for the experts who are trying to find ways to stop the infestation of the fall armyworm, such as replicating a virus that can kill them. Tearfund is also hoping to start some research in Malawi.
Pray this research is helpful and that it quickly finds inexpensive ways of tackling the infestation in ways that don't hurt people or damage the environment.
Saturday 7 October
'Therefore I tell you, do not worry about your life, what you will eat or drink; or about your body, what you will wear. Is not life more than food, and the body more than clothes?' Matthew 6:25
Pray for those already affected by the fall armyworm that they would trust Jesus for their needs and that he would meet them.
What a waste: 8 – 14 October
All around the world Christians pray 'Give us today our daily bread,' yet, while we pray, a third of all food produced is never eaten. This week we reflect on God's precious gift of food.
Sunday 8 October
In Matthew 6:11 Jesus taught us to pray, 'give us today our daily bread.' This Sunday, churches will pray this prayer up and down the country. Lift up those people whose prayer for daily bread takes on a literal meaning as they struggle to feed their families.
Monday 9 October
A third of all food produced in the world today is never eaten. This wasteful 'grow and throw' cycle has a devastating carbon footprint, making climate change worse and leading to more extreme weather such as floods and droughts. This makes it harder for people in poverty to feed themselves. As you say grace today, thank God for his provision and pray for people impacted by climate change.
Tuesday 10 October
Take a piece of locally baked bread and spend a few minutes reflecting on it: notice its shape, how it feels, consider the taste. Think about all the work that has been put into producing the bread, the environment God prepared for the wheat to flourish, the farmers who grew it and the bakers who baked it. Praise God for his whole creation.
Wednesday 11 October
When Jesus generously fed the crowd of 5,000 the lesson didn't end there. When they had all had enough to eat, Jesus said to his disciples, 'Gather the pieces that are left over. Let nothing be wasted.' John 6:12
The leftovers were a vital part of the story. Reflect on this and consider how all of us can work to gather the pieces and ensure nothing is wasted.
Thursday 12 October
Thirty per cent of vegetable crops are not harvested due to their failure to meet retailers' exacting cosmetic standards. Our supermarkets have a role to play in reducing food waste as they influence the food chain from farm to fork. Pray for supermarkets to make wise
Friday 13 October
Next week it's World Food Day, when Christians around the UK will be taking action to Renew Our Food. Ask God to give you wisdom on how you can avoid buying more than you need, reduce the amount that goes into landfill and share tips with others. You can pledge to Renew Our Food and ask supermarkets to do the same at www.tearfund.org/foodwaste
Saturday 14 October
Join us as we echo this prayer from Latin America: 'O God, to those who have hunger, give bread, and to those of us who have bread, give a hunger for justice.' Amen.
Crisis in Burundi: 15 – 21 October
Burundi continues to struggle following President Nkurunziza's decision to stand for a third term. Many believe this went against the Arusha Peace and Reconciliation Agreement. The political violence around and following the election has seen the establishment of state control and a decline in the quality of life for the people. Burundi remains one of the poorest countries in the world.
Sunday 15 October
Burundi has had a turbulent history since independence in 1962. Tearfund has worked in Burundi for many years, but the recent political violence has made this harder. Pray for dialogue, peace and reconciliation so that the country can begin to function better.
Monday 16 October
Recently, fuel shortages and electricity cuts (especially in the capital Bujumbura) are making life a challenge. People can't get to work and food costs have risen as people can't afford to transport goods to market, so markets have less food to offer, which drives up prices. Pray for these challenges to end and for people to be able to carry out their regular lives.
Tuesday 17 October
Because of the fuel shortages, our partners and staff are struggling to access more remote areas. Thank God for all they do to serve the needs of the most poor and vulnerable, particularly with essential nutrition work. Pray for God's wisdom, encouragement and provision in a country where food security remains a great preoccupation.
Wednesday 18 October
Burundi has a really high population density. This has led to deforestation, soil erosion and poor farming, in a country where the majority live on subsistence farming. Burundi's dense population has also meant there has been substantial emigration as young people seek opportunities elsewhere. Pray for those struggling to make a living, that God will provide for them.
Thursday 19 October
The political violence that has continued since 2015 has also meant around 415,000 people have left their homes for neighbouring countries such as Tanzania, the Democratic Republic of Congo and Rwanda. May they know God as a 'refuge and strength, an ever-present help in trouble.' Psalm 46:1
Friday 20 October
Burundi's infrastructure is struggling. Massive budget cuts to essential services like health and education mean hospitals are barely functioning. Accessing healthcare is difficult, especially for pregnant women and children who depend on free care. Pray for those who are in urgent need of medical care.
Saturday 21 October
Father God, we cry out to you for your peace and reconciliation in Burundi. We need you to bring restoration. We pray for your provision and comfort to those in desperate need. Give wisdom and mercy to the country's leaders as they make decisions which affect so many people. Amen.
Heart of conflict: 22 – 28 October
The complex civil war in Yemen has led to widespread displacement, severe water and food shortages and outbreaks of disease. With the country on the brink of collapse, Tearfund partners are working in the face of great adversity to provide lifesaving humanitarian assistance to conflict-affected communities.
Sunday 22 October
Damaged infrastructure and contaminated water sources have led to a national cholera outbreak, claiming the lives of more than 1,000 Yemenis. Pray that the spread of the outbreak would be contained and that those affected may access effective treatment.
Monday 23 October
With clean water in short supply, Mahri's daily water allowance for her family is rationed to five litres. Tearfund is supporting families like Mahri's through the provision of water filters, to purify unclean water and improve access to safe water. We pray that through our interventions, the prevalence of waterborne diseases within families like Mahri's would be minimised.
Tuesday 24 October
'We are privileged to work with partners who, despite the difficult environment, continue to provide food and clean water to families in need,' says Megan Howe, Tearfund's programme officer for Yemen. Give thanks for our partners who work in the midst of conflict to provide humanitarian assistance. Pray for continued strength, energy and safety for those working on the ground.
Wednesday 25 October
In December 2016, together with the Disasters Emergency Committee, Tearfund launched an emergency appeal for Yemen. Since then, supporters have helped us raise a staggering £1.5 million. Today, we give thanks for the compassion and generosity of our supporters which has enabled us to respond in Yemen, and ask that people will continue to support this under-reported crisis.
Thursday 26 October
Some parts of Yemen are simply too dangerous for aid agencies to operate in. Pray that the Lord would hear the cries of those living in particularly perilous regions and that a way would be made possible for aid and essential resources, including food, water and medicines, to reach families in great need.
Friday 27 October
'Compassionate God and Father of all ... hold back the hands that kill and maim; turn around the hearts that hate. Grant instead your strong spirit of peace – peace that passes our understanding but changes lives. Through Jesus Christ our Lord, Amen.' Church of England prayer for peace
Pray these words over the people of Yemen. Ask for an end to the airstrikes, which are claiming innocent lives and destroying homes.
Saturday 28 October
Heavenly Father, we commit the nation of Yemen to you. We ask that you would not turn your eyes away from the great need in Yemen. We know that nothing is impossible for you, so we ask you to restore this land, bring comfort to the broken-hearted, provision to the hungry, and healing to the hurt. In Jesus' name, Amen.
Provision and peace: 29 October – 4 November
Across East and southern Africa Tearfund is working to support communities under intense pressure. Climate change has continued to take its toll as several countries deal with the worst drought in living memory. Conflict has also prevented people working towards development, as in South Sudan, where there are 3.5 million displaced people. This is an area desperately in need of our prayers.
Sunday 29 October
'A father to the fatherless, a defender of widows, is God in his holy dwelling.' Psalm 68:5
During the Angolan civil war, Rev Afonso's parents were killed in front of him. But his faith enabled him to forgive the perpetrators in adulthood. The Church and Community Mobilisation project supports churches like his to go deeper in faith and bring more healing and restoration. Pray for the project and ask for churches across the region to flourish.
Monday 30 October
With erratic weather patterns, Guyatu from Kenya always had to rely on relief food to survive. But now she has joined a self-help group, which buys vegetables in bulk and sells them locally, she no longer risks starvation. Give thanks for these wonderful self-help groups and pray that the initiative will spread and bless more people.
Tuesday 31 October
Lift up the Faithful House programme, run by churches across Kitgum, Uganda. It gives counselling to couples to help combat domestic violence and HIV. This has impacted many women like Agnes, whose husband no longer drinks or is violent. Pray for protection for women in Uganda and for the church to lead a deep cultural change across the nation.
Wednesday 1 November
Pray for our partner the Evangelical Fellowship Zambia, which helped to tackle food insecurity last year. Through its training Mrs Machakaire learnt to source certified maize seed and to plant early before the rains started. Praise God that this has increased her harvest exponentially and give thanks that Zambia has had a good harvest this year.