This week, we mark the end of the year and look forward to what God will be doing in 2024. Give thanks for the work that the prayers and support of people, like you, have enabled and pray for an expansion of our work with and through local churches from 25,000 to 250,000 churches. These are extracts from Tearfund's Annual Report, which you can read at tearfund.org/annualreport, or request a printed copy by emailing [email protected] or calling 020 3906 3906.
Sunday 31 December
‘In a hurting world, like you, we long for the local church to bring the hope-filled good news: that change is possible, and that God is good and cares passionately,' says Tearfund's Chief Executive, Nigel Harris. As we approach the new year, ask God to break through and bring about that vision of more local churches transforming communities.
Monday 1 January
‘What would happen if we could expand this church transformation work?' asks Anna Laszlo, Tearfund's Chair of the Board. ‘To engage with and support not just the 25,000 churches we currently partner with but, say, 250,000 of them?' This year, we have ambitious plans to increase and reach many more churches. Pray that this will be a success.
Tuesday 2 January
‘We saw the [church's] boat... the answer we were praying for was the answer God sent us.' These are the words of Kedyma, a survivor of the devastating floods that hit Brazil in 2022. Pray for the continuing recovery work of our partners, and give thanks that the church saved Kedyma and her family's lives.
Wednesday 3 January
Prolonged drought has turned the land barren in parts of Burkina Faso. In Kirsi to the north, Tearfund partner Office de Developpement des Eglises Evangeliques/Office for the Development of Evangelical Churches (ODE) has trained 51 women in poultry farming. Ask that ODE will reach more people with this life-changing training.
Thursday 4 January
One of Tearfund's key aims is to support people, often through churches, seeking to end violence and bring sustainable peace in their communities and in the wider society. Pray for these peacemakers across the world who are helping to bring reconciliation and an end to conflict.
Friday 5 January
‘Floods took away my home and my livestock, and left me with horrible memories now,' says Qasim. ‘May God bless the people who saved me and my family.' Unprecedented floods also hit Pakistan in 2022. Pray for families, like Qasim's, who lost everything, their homes and belongings, and ask that they will be supported to recover.
Saturday 6 January
‘We have responded this year to emergencies including in Ukraine, Pakistan, Syria, and more widely in East Africa,' says Nigel Harris, Tearfund's Chief Executive. Pray that, in this world where conflict and emergencies are on the increase, so will the response of local churches bringing a message of peace and life in all its fullness in Jesus.
