Thank you for praying with us for the climate crisis, justice and restoration for those living in poverty. Our SMS alerts will let you know when we have updated the prayer prompt here to inspire your prayers.
Today's prayer
Monday 29 April
For the last week, a team of Tearfund staff and activists have been attending the fourth round of plastics treaty negotiations in Ottawa, Canada. We’ve had a positive time so far but because of delays and stalling throughout the negotiations, time is running out to agree on meaningful, ambitious action on plastic pollution by the end of 2024. Please join us in prayer.
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Give thanks that the decisions made so far on the text have retained the wording that Tearfund has been advocating for.
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Also give thanks for a good time together as a team with representatives from five continents, that we have been able to pray together, learn from one another and make a positive impact on the talks.
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With the negotiations heading into their final meeting today, pray that enough progress is made to keep alive the opportunity for a world-changing treaty to be agreed by the end of 2024. Pray against any delaying tactics and that plans for any work needed between this week’s talks and the next round in November can proceed.
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Finally, as the team prepares to leave Ottawa, pray for safe and smooth journeys home.
Amen.
Past prayers
Friday 26 April
We’re more than halfway through the fourth round of plastics treaty talks (INC-4) in Ottawa, Canada. The Tearfund team have had amazing opportunities to influence but, while the negotiations are progressing, meaningful action on plastic pollution still hangs in the balance.
- Please give thanks that the talks are progressing with discussions around technical elements of the treaty taking place. Recent analysis found that the number of registered delegates from the fossil fuel and chemical industries outnumber those from low-income countries 2 to 1, so please also pray that negotiators will not be swayed by those with vested interest in retaining the status quo and instead listen to those most impacted by plastic pollution.
- Thank God for the incredible lobbying opportunities that the team has had. Our delegates from Nepal, Peru and Malawi have been able to positively influence their own country delegations and have an impact on their wider regional groups.
- Pray that we continue to hear positive discussions and that the talks continue to progress on time. This is scheduled to be the penultimate week of talks so progress in the coming days is vital to ensure a world-changing plastics treaty for people living in poverty can be agreed at the next round of negotiations.
Amen.
Wednesday 24 April
The fourth round of negotiations on the UN’s global plastic treaty (INC-4) started yesterday in Ottawa. A team of Tearfund staff and activists are there for this critical stage in the negotiations.
- Please pray for the 63 countries, including the UK, that make up the ‘High Ambition Coalition’ to use their voice and speak up together for an ambitious plastics treaty.
- Pray too for the activists and Tearfund staff from Peru, Malawi and Nepal as they work to influence their own country delegations as well as others in their region.
- Hold up the whole team in prayer for energy, good health and timely opportunities.
Amen.
Thank you for praying with us. Keep an eye on the Tearfund Action X account for an update on the outcome of the talks in the coming days.