A new initiative to help us to pray at home! We’ll use key ‘days’ as our inspiration, and provide prayer pointers to guide our prayers. The latest post is below:
Human Rights Day is observed every year on 10 December — the day the United Nations General Assembly adopted, in 1948, the Universal Declaration of Human Rights (UDHR). The UDHR is a milestone document that proclaims the inalienable rights which everyone is entitled to as a human being – regardless of race, colour, religion, sex, language, political or other opinion, national or social origin, property, birth or other status.
The Universal Declaration of Human Rights empowers us all. The principles enshrined in the Declaration are as relevant today as they were in 1948.
Did you know that:
The Universal Declaration of Human Rights holds the Guinness World Record as the most translated document. Yet, far too many people are still unaware of their basic rights as human beings.
This year’s Human Rights Day theme relates to the COVID-19 pandemic
Let us come together as a church, to give thanks for answered prayers and to pray for other needs in our local and global communities.
‘Very truly I tell you, no servant is greater than his master, nor is a messenger greater than the one who sent him. Now that you know these things, you will be blessed if you do them.’ John 13:16-17 NIV
Let’s start our prayers today by praising God for the new vaccine and the hope it has brought to many.
- For scientists, decision makers and all involved in development and trial of the vaccine
- For our Milton Keynes hospital and other hospital staff who are involved in delivery and storage of the vaccine as it must be kept in very cold temperatures
- Pray for staff administering the vaccine
- For those receiving the vaccine
- For other vaccines in the development processes
Prayer points
- We pray for those in parts of the world where the hope of the vaccine is only a dream currently
- Pray against inequality pandemic and that we all address it where we encounter it. For us all to promote and protect economic, social, and cultural rights
- We are all in this together. From individuals to governments, from civil society and grass-roots communities to the private sector, everyone has a role in building a post-COVID world that is better for present and future generations. Pray for solidarity and cooperation for all involved
To find out more, stories and video please visit the United Nations website below
https://www.un.org/en/observances/human-rights-day
Thursday 3rd December is the International Day of Persons with Disabilities.
The International Day of Persons with Disabilities (IDPD) is annually observed on 3 December to promote the full and equal participation of persons with disabilities and to take action for the inclusion of persons with disabilities in all aspects of society and development.
Did you know that:
- Today, the world population is over 7 billion people and, over 1 billion have some form of disability, that’s 1 in 7
- More than 100 million disabled persons are children
- Children with disabilities are almost four times more likely to experience violence than non-disabled children
- Adults with some form or disability are 1.5 times more likely to be victims of violence than those without a disability
- Adults with mental health conditions are at nearly four times the risk of experiencing violence
Let us pray for our family member, friends, neighbours and those in our global community:
- For all people with disabilities to be loved as God’s children by families, friends, and the communities where they live.
- For those suffering mental illnesses especially at these challenging times due to isolation.
- For those caring for family members and friends with disabilities for continued strength
- For children who are carers, not to miss out on their childhoods because of these responsibilities. For social services and health services to give them support and respite.
- For those in countries where national healthcare and social care are non-existence.
- For compassion towards those with disabilities. Pray against ignorance and prejudices. That people will choose to understand and embrace disabled people instead of isolating them.
- For governments and other service providers to work together and develop policies which include the voices of disabled people.
- For us the body of Christ, be loving, compassionate and positively promote inclusion of those with disabilities just as Christ has loved us.
If you would like more information, United Nations website is a good place to visit below:
https://www.un.org/en/observances/day-of-persons-with-disabilities
November 25: International Day for elimination of violence against women.
Violence against women and girls is one of the most widespread, persistent, and devastating human rights violations in our world today.
Why the 25th of November?
On November 25, 1960, three sisters, Patria Mercedes Mirabal, María Argentina Minerva Mirabal and Antonia María Teresa Mirabal, were assassinated in the Dominican Republic on the orders of the Dominican ruler Rafael Trujillo. The Mirabel sisters fought hard to end Trujillo’s dictatorship. Activists on women’s rights have observed a day against violence on the anniversary of the deaths of these three women since 1981.
On December 17, 1999, November 25 was designated as the International Day for the Elimination of Violence against Women by the UN General Assembly.
During COVID-19, calls to violence against women helplines increased up to five-fold in the first few weeks of the pandemic. For every 3 months the lockdown continues, an additional 15 million women are expected to be affected by violence.
Let’s us come together and pray for those in our community of Milton Keynes, our country and countries all over the world:
- For protection of women and girls in danger and living in fear today in their homes.
- For those who have escaped home and are in safe places that they receive the right services to help them deal with trauma and effects of violence.
- For perpetrators to know that their actions are wrong because we know God can change them.
- For Governments to fund essential services on gender-based violence and women’s organizations who are at the forefront.
- For governments and civil societies to respond to the needs of survivors, including especially now during the global pandemic.
- We also know that there are men and boys who also victims of violence. Let us pray for them too.
- For us (the church all over the world) to be alert and to take right steps where we encounter or know someone in our community or elsewhere living in danger.
If you would like more information and stories of those at the forefront do visit United Nations website on the link below
https://www.un.org/en/observances/ending-violence-against-women-day
Friday 20th November is World Children’s Day
World Children’s Day was first established in 1954 as Universal Children’s Day and is celebrated on 20 November each year to promote international togetherness, awareness among children worldwide, and improving children’s welfare.
November 20th is an important date as it is the date in 1959 when the UN General Assembly adopted the Declaration of the Rights of the Child. It is also the date in 1989 when the UN General Assembly adopted the Convention on the Rights of the Child.
It is a time to celebrate and a time to remember children in our prayers.
Let’s pray for children in our neighborhoods, in our community of Milton Keynes and around the world:
- For those living in poverty. Especially those without enough food to eat.
- For those who are unwell at home and in hospitals. Pray for access to good medical care for those without.
- For those whose home is not a safe place.
- For those with little or no clean water, sanitation and hygiene.
- Protection and support of children and families living through conflict, disaster and displacement.
- For those who have taken on caring responsibilities
- For those orphaned and those living in care.
- For all children to have access to education.
- For governments to make vaccines affordable and available to every child.
To watch the ‘Happy world children’s day’ video from World Vision, click here.
If you would like more information or ideas on how you can be practically involved in promoting awareness, Unicef is a good place to visit. Please click on this link: https://www.unicef.org/world-childrens-day