The first Advent candle represents hope and the anticipation of Christ’s coming. It’s called the Prophecy Candle.
Malawi, a land of resilience and faith, faces challenges including poverty, climate vulnerability and the need for stronger community bonds. Yet, through partnership and faith, significant transformations are taking place. This week, pray for a living hope in Malawi.
Sunday 30 November
‘I want to own a motorcycle one day,’ says Estina from Namikula village. ‘And I have faith in God that this will happen.’ Many people in Malawi, like Estina, have experienced personal and spiritual transformations through church and community projects. Pray for renewed hope to grow in communities across Malawi.
Monday 1 December
‘The training I have undertaken has given me confidence,’ says Yusufu from Nsaluyavuka village. ‘I’m sure that everything is possible with God.’ Yusufu has benefited from training on sustainable farming practices and fertiliser making. Pray for farmers to hold onto hope, learning methods to increase yields.
Tuesday 2 December
Lack of opportunity causes many people to lose confidence. ‘It is by God’s grace that I can talk to people now,’ says Hilda from Maoni village after taking part in Transforming Communities training. Pray for those who are marginalised, that they will find healing and restoration within their communities, filled with hope through the church.
Wednesday 3 December
Transforming Communities projects build understanding between different faith groups in Pastor Felix Chilongo’s community in Gohoni. ‘This is because all faith groups were trained together,’ he says. ‘Previously, they were not.’ Pray for strengthened relationships between faith groups, filled with a restored hope and leading to shared efforts.
Thursday 4 December
Annie’s family from Maoni village struggled to pay school fees, and one child was forced to drop out. Pray for improved access to education for all children, especially those from struggling families, and for opportunities for young people, all of which are sustained by the renewed hope that education brings.
Friday 5 December
‘I felt that I would face discrimination,’ says Florence from Maoni village, who is living with HIV. ‘But that was not the case when I joined the self-help group.’ Pray for people living with HIV, that they will receive care, support and acceptance through Transforming Communities programmes, filled with hope that people can accept them.
Saturday 6 December
‘Those who hope in the Lord will renew their strength. They will soar on wings like eagles; they will run and not grow weary.’ (Isaiah 40:31)
Transforming Communities facilitators in Malawi, like Pastor Mwayi Chimombo from Maoni village, work to bring change. ‘The programme opened us up and we realised that we have the potential to change things,’ he says. Pray that God will renew his strength and that of other pastors in the programme, and fill them with hope and perseverance.
