TEARFUND PRAYER DIARYJANUARY2015
God Saw it Was Good: 4–10 January
God created this beautiful planet as a place where we might flourish in a just and sustainable way. As we continue to speak out for the poorest people who are affected by corruption and climate change, please continue to pray for God's wisdom and grace for these issues.
Sunday 4 January
We live in a world of great resources and beauty, but also a world of great inequality. Thank God for the resources that you have, cherish them, and ask him to challenge you more about how you can share them with others.
Monday 5 January
The Breathe network's motto is 'less stuff, more life'. Yesterday we cherished what we have, so today think and pray about whether you can reduce what you buy or own. Pray for those who arestruggling to make ends meet and people who live with very little, in the UK and worldwide.
Tuesday 6 January
As we approach the 2015 general election, continue to pray for our politicians and those seeking election. Pray they will use their position of influence to stop and listen to those calling for a just and sustainable world.
Wednesday 7 January
Last year, the UK experienced one of the wettest winters since records began. Tearfund is committed to working with local churches to help poor communities adapt to the impacts of climate change. Continue to pray that world leaders act to reduce global emissions levels and explore innovative means to source the money needed to help communities adapt.
Thursday 8 January
The average UK household throws away a staggering £60 worth of food per month. There are some great campaigns already happening to help us all reduce our waste but more needs to be done if we're going to see lasting change. Try cooking a simple meal today and aiming to waste none of it. Pray for those who have a real lack of food and will go hungry today.
Friday 9 January
The life of faith and the calling to be a part of bringing change is often not easy. Reflect on this verse: 'I press on towards the goal to win the prize for which God has called me heavenward in Christ Jesus' (Philippians 3:14). Lord, as we seek your kingdom and try to live for you, help us to press on, especially when we feel like giving up.
Saturday 10 January
Today is a day of giving thanks. Thank God for the food you have to eat. Share a meal with friends or family, and really cherish it.
Welcome to the weekend – what you can do
We hope you had a very blessed and restful Christmas. Perhaps some of the gifts we received mean that we don't need some of our older things. Streetbank (streetbank.com) is a great initiative where you can sign up to share/borrow resources with your neighbours and community. Please do take a look, sign up and start sharing!
Rana Plaza Restoration:11–17 January
On 24 April 2013, 1,127 people died when a clothes factory in Dhaka, Bangladesh, collapsed. Rescuers included volunteers trained by Tearfund partner Koinonia. Two years on, Koinonia continues to support those affected. This week we reflect on their work and future challenges.
Sunday 11 January
More than 3,000 people were inside Rana Plaza when it collapsed. Tragically, 1,127 people died. But, thanks to the efforts of rescuers (many trained by Tearfund), 2,535 lives were saved. Give thanks for Tearfund partner Koinonia's church mobilisation work, which meant that volunteers were ready to respond effectively.
Monday 12 January
'Every night when the light goes off, I am afraid. I often think about the people who did not make it,' says Lipi, who was trapped on the fourth floor. Many survivors have been left with physical, emotional or mental scars. Pray for continued healing for those injured and traumatised by the building collapse.
Tuesday 13 January
Many families face the future with uncertainty, particularly over loss of income. Sewley lost her husband, father to their 13-month-old son. 'I miss my husband every day, and life has become very hard,' she says. Pray that Tearfund's partners, like Koinonia, can bring comfort and hope into situations of despair.
Wednesday 14 January
Of the 2,000 people recovering after the factory collapse, about 70 per cent are struggling to provide adequately for their families. As yet, there has been no clear commitment about any compensation package for survivors of Rana Plaza. Pray that those responsible will keep their promises and provide families with compensation.
Thursday 15 January
Koinonia runs a four-month sewing rehabilitation programme to help support female survivors of Rana Plaza and their family members. Students are given a monthly grant and equipment to help them set up in business. Give thanks that our partner is enabling women to start again by supporting themselves. Pray for courage and blessing as they pursue this opportunity.
Friday 16 January
In addition to livelihoods training, Koinonia is providing vital medical treatment and counselling for survivors. Kohinoor, 20, suffered a miscarriage during the collapse. 'I was crushed,' she says. 'My husband and I had tried for several years to get pregnant before the accident.' Please pray that Koinonia can find more skilled counsellors and that they will have success in helping survivors recover from trauma.
Saturday 17 January
Koinonia wants to step up its efforts by providing scholarships to orphans and starting advocacy work to ensure working environments are made safer. Pray that this work will be fruitful in highlighting the gaps in legislation relating to building regulations and employee welfare.
Welcome to the weekend – creative prayer idea
God cares passionately for the oppressed, widows and orphans and he wants good things for them. Reflect on God's compassion in Psalm 146. Two years on, pray for the survivors of Rana Plaza who are still finding life a challenge.
Gathered for Prayer: 18–24 January
'For where two or three gather in my name, there am I with them.'
Matthew 18:20
Many groups across the country commit to meet and pray regularly for people living in poverty. This week's prayers have been written by members of a prayer group in Darlington, County Durham, led by Doug and Rachel Dickson. The group has met faithfully for more than 30 years.
Sunday 18 January
Rachel Dickson, retired teacher and Tearfund supporter: 'Lord, we lift up before you the plight of women around the world, particularly in Pakistan. We give thanks that Tearfund is working with the Diocese of Hyderabad on the primary education project and we pray that more children will be reached and the next generation of women will have a better future.'
Monday 19 January
Margaret Scurr, a faithful Christian for nearly 60 years: 'Father God, I thank you for the way you are aware of the needs of people the world over, and that you use ordinary people like me to pray about these needs and to raise funds to help in a practical way.'
Tuesday 20 January
Rev Geoff Wood, retired: 'Heavenly Father, we bless you for all your rich provision for our needs. Thank you for water with which you feed your plants and quench our thirst. May no one throughout the world be deprived of pure water. Bless all those who provide clean water, especially to remote communities.'
Wednesday 21 January
Isabel Senior, prays: 'Lord, we thank you for your continued blessing on Tearfund and all it stands for, both spiritually and materially. May this continue. Bless all Tearfund staff and supporter groups worldwide. Please be with the needy. May we always have a heart to help.'
Thursday 22 January
Regina Rutland, long-term supporter and former Created rep: 'Lord God, since justice is part of your character, we know we have your backing as we tackle issues of injustice such as corruption and human trafficking. We pray for these campaigns: please grant us determination, perseverance and success.'
Friday 23 January
Lesley Stegner, voluntary church worker: 'Father, your world is not the way you want it to be. Help us, your church in that world, to be used by you in bringing about the changes that make this place more like the way you want it to be.'
Saturday 24 January
Jill Jackson, teacher and long-time Tearfund supporter: 'Father, thank you for great initiatives like Toilet Twinning that make real and everyday difference to people's lives. Bless this project and the team who work so creatively and help us, with flushable luxury, never to take what we have for granted.'
Welcome to the weekend – what you can do
If you would like to join a Tearfund prayer group near you, or would like to start one, please contact
We would love to hear from you! We're immensely thankful to all of you who pray regularly for people in poverty.
HUMANITY RESTORED IN IRAQ: 25–31 JANUARY
Last year, the brutal advance of Islamic State militants forced more than 2 million people to flee their homes in Iraq. This week we pray for peace, healing and restoration for this troubled nation.
SUNDAY 25 JANUARY
‘News spread fast of the bloodbaths, and countless women being raped or trafficked,’ says Siraj, a Yazidi, who escaped from the Mount Sinjar massacre. Ask God to heal and comfort all who have experienced such horrors, and give thanks for Tearfund’s partner, who trained trauma care workers to respond.
MONDAY 26 JANUARY
‘Winter is gruelling for Iraq’s displaced people living in makeshift shelters or unfinished buildings. Najid fled with only one set of summer clothes to keep him warm. Praise God that Najid purchased warm clothes with an emergency grant from Tearfund. ‘I am immensely grateful to Tearfund for treating us with such humanity,’ he says.
TUESDAY 27 JANUARY
‘One of hardest things about aid work is knowing that the hungry, frightened, desperate people we’re helping are the lucky ones who managed to escape,’ says Tearfund’s Katie. More than 2 million people in Iraq are trapped beyond the reach of aid agencies. Pray that God will protect and provide for them.
WEDNESDAY 28 JANUARY
Zuhrah has four young children, including a baby, Basil. She received a grant from Tearfund to buy winter clothes and heaters for her family. ‘We are so grateful – it’s the first real help we’ve had since arriving,’ says Zuhrah. Pray for secure futures for the children displaced by the conflict.
THURSDAY 29 JANUARY
‘Love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you.’
Matthew 5:44
Pray that the perpetrators of the atrocities in Iraq will experience a radical change of heart, becoming people who seek peace and reconciliation. Thank God that no one is beyond the reach of his redeeming love.
FRIDAY 30 JANUARY
Jibran is a displaced farmer, sharing an unfinished building with 18 others. A resourceful man, he started to grow vegetables in a nearby field shortly after he arrived. ‘Life is difficult for us, but we will keep surviving till we can go home,’ Jibran says. Pray for peace in Iraq so that people can return home.
SATURDAY 31 JANUARY
It’s inspiring to hear of the churches in Iraq reaching out to those in desperate need. ‘I long to help everyone in this crisis, whatever their faith,’ one pastor told us. ‘That’s what Christ commands. If someone is hungry, feed him.’ Praise God for the light and hope the church is bringing.
Welcome tothe weekend –creative prayer idea
A ‘breath prayer’ is a centuries-old Christian practice of taking a short prayer of praise or petition to repeat throughout the day. Think of a simple prayer you can pray over Iraq wheneveryou hear a news story about the troubles there – for example, ‘Lord, have mercy’ or ‘Come, Lord Jesus’.
Tearfund Prayer Diary January2015–