Melbourne Wave of Prayer - Linked Dioceses
The Wave of Prayer was inaugurated in the United Kingdom in 1921. Every Diocese in the worldwide organisation is prayed for during the midday prayers on three consecutive days each year.
This unbroken chain of prayer provides the spiritual foundation for the mission and work of the Mothers’ Union.
The Diocese of Melbourne is linked with five other dioceses and during 30th July and 1st August, they are prayed for by Mothers' Union members throughout the world through the Wave of Prayer.
Boga in DR Congo
The Anglican Church plays an important part in the community of DRC, an enormous country ( almost the size of Western Europe) and home to over 200 ethnic groups and speaking about 240 languages.
The Diocese of Boga is the oldest Anglican diocese in the Democratic Republic of Congo. It has suffered ongoing conflict and is one of the poorest countries in the world.
Inadequate infrastructure, ill equipped health facilities, lack of education (over 80% of people over 14 are illiterate), putting a great demand on Christian aid, including Mothers’ Union, absolutely vital in providing material and spiritual assistance. The 25,000 MU members provide a lifeline to many.
Their activities include:
- Trauma counselling
- Savings and credit groups
- Health awareness programs
- Emergency relief programs
- Awaken Program ( Church and community Mobilisation with Literacy)
- Campaigning against gender violence
- Peace and reconciliation
Prayer:
We pray for all MU members in Boga. May God be with them in every part of their lives, encouraging them and leading them, sheltering and strengthening them so they may work to your praise and glory. AmenThe Mothers Union is committed to building up Christian family values, help women to overcome the challenges of our society: poverty, violence against women, diseases and contribute to peace. Amen
https://anglicancongo.net/en/diocese-of-boga/
Manicaland in Zimbabwe
The Diocese of Manicaland is one of five dioceses within the Church of the Province of Central Africa (CPCA) in Zimbabwe.
Once known as the bread-basket of Africa, in the last decades Zimbabwe has struggled to feed its own people due to severe droughts plus its economy faces severe challenges.
MU however, remains a strong force within communities. The 21000 plus members seek to engage with those less privileged and most vulnerable, working in hospitals, prisons, maternity clinics, even the streets. They are supporting malaria prevention programs and ongoing vocational training for girls.
Prayer:
Dear Lord, we give you thanks and praise that Mothers’ Union members follow in the footsteps of Mary Sumner; being of deep faith, with hearts for prayer as they listen to God and each other, journeying together with the determination, patience and commitment to make a difference in the lives of others, through words and deed. Amen.
MU Provincial Conference https://www.newsday.co.zw/theindependent/local-news/article/200015190/mothers-union-ignites-with-a-roar
Tanga in Tanzania
Tanga is a port city in northern Tanzania, located in East Africa. Tanzania has been fortunate not having been troubled by war over the last few decades and has instead provided safe living for hundreds of thousands of refugees who have fled because of fighting.
MU membership has grown to 915,000 with members caring for those in need, with projects including:
- Church and community mobilisation
- Savings and credit groups
- Prison Ministry
- Hospital visitation
- Education and nursery school programs
- Health awareness program
- Vocational skills training
- Orphan care programs
Prayer:
Loving God, thank you for helping Tanga Mothers’ Union members as they work hard to alleviate the poverty surrounding them. Bless the seminars they organise and their aim of promoting markets for their products.
Lord God, may your love strengthen the leaders as they face so many challenges and may they know the joy of your presence. Amen.
Ogoni in Nigeria
Nigeria is Africa’s most populous country. and the seventh most populated in the world. There are more than 190 million people living in the country and this is set to continue growing with more than 40% under the age of 14 years. There are more than 250 ethnic groups and over 500 indigenous languages. Nigeria relies heavily on oil as its main source of revenue, yet despite this, 60% of Nigerians live in extreme poverty.
MU has been present in Nigeria for well over 100 years with estimates of 60,000 members in this country of 96% Christian population. They are active in creating opportunities for women and young girls to reach their full potential, working closely alongside the Women’s Guild in each diocese and actively engaging in political issues as they arise.
Their outreach includes:
- Hospital visitation and Health clinics
- Support for women and infants
- Nursery schools
- Marriage preparation
- Vocational training
- Orphan care
- Parenting programs
Prayer:
We pray for the many women involved in these programs, asking for their financial support and spiritual needs to be met. We pray that those of us who live with adequate means will keep our sisters in Nigeria in our prayers. Amen.
Facebook page: DIOCESE OF OGONI, Anglican Communion.
Carlisle in England
By demonstrating their Christian faith within the activities of 48 MU branches with a total of 870+ members, Carlisle Diocese nurtures strong relationships in their community especially with those whose families have met with adversity, providing holidays, supporting refugees, visiting hospitals and prisons, and always looking to welcome new members, male, female and LGBTQ+.
Their ongoing outreach includes:
- Informing, resourcing and mobilising members of the public to be involved with issues of social justice
- Providing toilet bags for emergency ward patients
- Supporting two refuges and DV abuse charities in Cumbria
- Support to families with preschool children by providing baptism materials
Prayer:
Loving God, we pray for Deb Lee in her role of President of this Diocese. Bless the outreach to prison families, the work with preschool children, and at this holiday time especially, the St Bees holiday camp program. May your love spread through the communities where need is greatest and bring many to know you. In the name of Christ, Amen.
