WEEKEND OF PRAYER FOR DARFUR:
A CALL TO CONSCIENCE
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ACTION ALERT: 12/08/06
“Instead of mourning a genocide, what if we could stop one?”
Dear friends,
In solidarity with the Save Darfur Coalition, Lutheran World Relief calls on faith communities across the nation to participate in the Weekend of Prayer for Darfur, December 8-10. We encourage congregations to say a prayer for Darfur as part of their weekly services, and to consider incorporating the readings offered below. Groups may also place a “Call to Your Conscience” banner outside their place of worship beyond this time. Banners may be obtained from the Save Darfur Coalition. Their contact information is available at http://www.savedarfur.org/pages/contact.
View the Coalition’s Faith Action Packet at http://www.savedarfur.org/pages/weekend_of_prayer. Here you will find:
- Helpful background history and current information of the conflict and humanitarian atrocities happening in Darfur.
- Compelling prayers, scripture readings, and short sermons and readings. Use them as they are, or adapt them.
Please consider perusing these items meditatively as an individual, even if you choose not to use them with others.
Please also keep the people of south Sudan in your prayers, as increasing violence in that region poses a threat to work to rebuild society after that region's long-standing conflict.
Let us be sober to act on behalf of those whom God has made in his image. Let us not look away. Let us enjoy the incredible blessing of peace on our soil and in our time: let us seek in humility to bring the same gift to others.
“Most difficult, without a doubt, is to shake off our indifference about problems we do not see, suffering that does not affect us directly, people with whom we seem to have little connection.” ~Rabbi Barry H. Block
“First they came for the Jews
and I did not speak out
because I was not a Jew.
Then they came for the Communists
and I did not speak out
because I was not a Communist.
Then they came for the trade unionists
and I did not speak out
because I was not a trade unionist.
Then they came for me
and there was no one left
to speak out for me.” ~Pastor Martin Niemöller
THANK YOU
Hundreds of groups across the nation and around the world are joining together to raise awareness and inspire their neighbors to action. LWR commends and thanks you for your added prayers, and for working to educate yourselves and those around you.
WHO IS LWR? Lutheran World Relief, an international nonprofit organization, works to end poverty and injustice by empowering some of the world's most impoverished communities to help themselves. With partners in 35 countries, LWR seeks to promote sustainable development with justice and dignity by helping communities bring about change for healthy, safe and secure lives; engage in Fair Trade; promote peace and reconciliation; and respond to emergencies. LWR is headquartered in Baltimore, Md. and has worked in international development and relief since 1945.
Lutheran World Relief is a ministry of the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America (ELCA), The Lutheran Church-Missouri Synod (LCMS), individuals and parish groups in international relief, development, advocacy and social responsibility.
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