Prayers are always in order for the people of Sudan. Prayers are particularly in order as July 9 – the date when South Sudan becomes an independent nation draws near. Our sisters and brothers in Sudan and around the world are in prayer now and will continue in prayer until and after independence is achieved. Remembering the role that prayer played in the days before the referendum, a number of faith communities will again come together in a Season of Prayer with the people of Sudan in this time. Specifically, we are invited to pray for thirty minutes at 11:00a.m. (EST); 10:00 a.m. (CST); 9:00 a.m. (MST); 8:00 a.m. (PST) on:
- each Friday until July 9 (this would be May 27, June 3, June 10, June 17, June 24, July 1, July 8); and
- Saturday, July 9.
Find resources for prayer and about Sudan on this blog, from the PC(USA) Office on Africa, and from the Sudan Advocacy Action Network.
The Sudan Catholic Bishop’s Conference in South Sudan (SCBC-SS) has issued a call to prayer and offer the following:
God of Mercies,
We thank you for your great love for us.
We ask you to guide all our leaders
in the process of nation building.
Grant them your wisdom, compassion and fortitude.
Loving God,
give us courage to reject resentment as well as ethnic conflicts.
Through the intercession of St. Josephine Bakhita, help us to overcome hurt, hostility and bitterness in our hearts so that we become reconciled citizens in our new nation.
Renew in us the will for honest and hard work and bring us closer to you in the spirit of service, unity and lasting peace.
Loving God, we pray for our heroes,
our martyrs and all innocent people
who died during the long years of war.
We pray in thanksgiving for all those
who stood with us in solidarity
To bring about peace.
Unite us from every tribe, tongue and people.
Send your Holy Spirit upon us
and may your Will be done in us.
God, bless our new nation;
bless the Republic of South Sudan;
bless also the Republic of Sudan.
in Jesus’ name. Amen.
Sudan Catholic Bishop’s Conference in South Sudan (SCBC-SS)