Located across the UK, Tearfund volunteer speakers inform and inspire congregations and small groups about how local churches across the world are lifting people out of extreme poverty. This week, pray for Melanie, Jamie, Val and all of our Tearfund speakers, that they will have opportunities to speak and encourage more support for Tearfund's work through local churches.
Sunday 28 January
All of our speakers are trained and equipped to share stories of Tearfund's work around the world and talk about God's heart for people living in poverty. They inspire congregations and groups to respond through giving, prayer and action. Give thanks for all our volunteers who give up their time and use their skills to spread the good news of transformation.
Monday 29 January
‘Whenever you go to a new place and you don't know anyone, you can feel a wee bit overwhelmed or overawed by the whole thing,’ says Melanie, a Tearfund speaker from Northern Ireland. ‘So please pray for steadiness and for us to focus on the reason why we're there: to share the stories.’
Tuesday 30 January
Melanie often speaks in churches in remote locations, so she asks for prayer that the weather would be favourable and for safety as she travels. Lord, we pray for Melanie and all our Tearfund speakers: keep them safe and secure as they serve you visiting churches; help them focus on the reason why they are going by removing distractions such as travel delays. Amen.
Wednesday 31 January
‘I think it is important to pray for the next generation of supporters for Tearfund,’ says Jamie, a Tearfund speaker from Scotland. ‘Pray that we can engage with younger people.’ Holy God, we ask you to give Jamie and others the words and examples to encourage young people to get involved in praying, giving and speaking up for people living in poverty. Amen.
Thursday 1 February
Jamie also asks that we ‘give thanks for the opportunities to speak about Tearfund – there are loads of them. And pray that God will continue that good work’. Thank you, God, for Jamie and the opportunities you are opening up in Scotland and across the UK for people to hear stories and respond. Amen.
Friday 2 February
Val, a long-term Tearfund speaker, is from Wales but now lives in Norfolk. She speaks in churches across the county and into Suffolk. ‘Pray that God's Spirit will work through me to enable people to understand the situations,’ she asks, ‘but, more importantly, the way that Tearfund works with communities and to show the reality of life in tough places.’
Saturday 3 February
‘I want to convey how wonderful the church of Jesus is throughout the world through what I say,’ says Val. ‘I think of Paul encouraging the Philippian church and thanking them for their support to him. Pray that we, as the UK church, would be like that Philippian church supporting our brothers and sisters throughout the world.’
To request a speaker for your church, visit tearfund.org/speaker or call 020 3906 3906 (England/Wales), 0141 332 3621 (Scotland) or 028 9073 0060 (Northern Ireland).
