Friday, January 25
Week of Prayer for Christian Unity
Dominican Republic
I was a pastor of a very poor congregation in a community in the southern part of the country. One day we arranged a dinner for the children of an education center run by the church. We sent letters out to the authorities and to other people in the town asking for help. However, the day before the dinner, we realized that very little had been received. We decided to cancel the dinner, but one sister insisted that we call on God to decide.
On the day of the dinner we still had very little to provide, and we were worried seeing the children arrive. We began to sing and pray. When we were getting things ready to serve the dinner, we did not know how to start, but we were obligated to do it because the children were eager to enjoy what they considered a grand banquet. Most of them invited their parents, despite the fact that we insisted it be for the children only.
Finally, we gave thanks to God and served the small amount of food. Surprisingly, everyone was able to eat. We do not know how this could be! Nothing was left over to pick up, but there was neither child nor adult left without food. Seeing the faces of the children was very satisfying. Although we had little food, we achieved a lot in the name of Jesus.
—Rev. Jeremías Brafett, pastor, Dominican Evangelical Church
Let us join in prayer for:
PC(USA) People in Mission
Jenny Bent, health ministries, Dominican Evangelical Church
Partners/Ministries
Dominican Evangelical Church: Rev. Juan de Dios Caraballo, president, Rev. Miguel Angel Cancu Drullard, executive secretary and coordinator, volunteers in mission
PC(USA) Agencies’ Staff
Dennis Blum, Presbyterian Mission Agency
Michele H. Blum, Presbyterian Publishing Corporation
Let us pray
Father, we give you thanks for your blessings and ask that you teach us to share with those who have nothing. We know that you are able to convert the little that we have into a rich abundance to benefit those who suffer. In the name of Jesus. Amen.
Daily Lectionary
Morning Psalms 130; 148
First Reading Isaiah 45:18-25
Second Reading Ephesians 6:1-9
Gospel Reading Mark 4:35-41
Evening Psalms 32; 139
