Advocacy is a powerful tool that can be used to influence the decisions and policies of people in power to address the underlying causes of poverty. This week, we ask for God's favour on communities and churches around the world who are speaking out against injustice, defending people living in poverty, holding those in power to account and empowering people to speak out for themselves.
Sunday 10 March
Thirty young people from across Africa attended media training over four months, led by Tearfund and the All Africa Conference of Churches. Praise God for the zeal and commitment of these young people. Pray that they will have the opportunity to use their new advocacy tools of story gathering, writing, interviewing and public speaking to campaign for change in their communities.
Monday 11 March
Over the last year, we’ve seen an exciting expansion of 30 new churches and 16 denominations and networks welcoming advocacy into Tearfund’s Church and Community Transformation (CCT) training. In particular, let's pray for the 44 new individuals who have become CCT advocacy trainers, committed to further expanding this work.
Tuesday 12 March
In Nepal, Tearfund staff and partner organisations have been advocating to the local government in Putha Uttarganga Rural Municipality to help build resilient communities that are equipped to respond to crises. Praise God that as a result, the local government has set up a Citizen Charter, which informs citizens of their rights, helps citizens understand the services that the local government provides, and is improving accountability with the local government.
Wednesday 13 March
Tearfund Learn (tearfund.org/learn) is a website that empowers individuals across 85 countries through free courses including advocacy and lobbying. Following an e-learning mentoring course, participants went on to advocate for a better price to be paid for farmers in Uganda and persuaded seven village chiefs to stop celebrating child marriage in Niger. Pray that more people will access and use these resources to improve lives.
Thursday 14 March
Take a moment to read Luke 18:1-8. We are encouraged as Christians to persevere in our faith against all odds. And this parable reminds us of the importance of prayer. God hears our prayers. Today, spend some time praying for our global neighbours who are persevering in their faith and speaking out against injustice, even in the face of opposition.
Friday 15 March
In Brazil, Tearfund works closely with the Christian environmental and rights movement, campaigning for indigenous rights. In the last year, President Lula has enacted policy and practice changes that we have been campaigning for. Give thanks for the new Ministry of Indigenous Peoples, for the re-establishment of the National Council for Food and Nutritional Security, and for revoking the law that allowed illegal mining on indigenous lands.
Saturday 16 March
Pick a day this week that has inspired you and share it with praying friends and family. Invite them to join you in praying for the communities and churches around the world who are speaking out against injustice.
