Contents

More Lord


Looking back over the year we are thankful for all we have been able to do together – but if you ask me to respond from the heart, then my prayer is always “more Lord”.

We long for more love, more faith, more hope, more compassion and more strength.

We plead for more justice, more equality, more equity, more peace, more accountability, more transparency.

We acknowledge that we could do more – if only we had more time, more finances, more people, more opportunities.

This year Micah Network has called for the Courage to Change – we need more change. More healing, more transformation, more Lord, more!

Of course, there are a number of things we wish we had less of! Less paper work, less bills, less cold weather!

If ever you have travelled in Africa you will have come across some magnificent ant hills. These have always fascinated me as a child and I would watch them for hours toiling away. I must confess I often disrupted their work to see how they would respond. I would place barriers in their path, send in a flood of water, kick in a wall and then sit back and watch. (Sorry to confess this poor behaviour). Amazingly, the ants would hardly even hesitate in their work, They would appear to take stock and start rebuilding, repairing and it would not be long before more would arrive to strengthen the action.

Being involved in poverty reduction, social action, addressing injustice and disaster response can start out as exciting and energising, but often the magnitude of human need and the barriers faced can leave us exhausted, despairing and after a while, we will prefer to focus on something more manageable.

That is why we need each other – to spur one another on, to rally and to support. But even that may not be enough.

In Micah as we plan for the next few years we know we need to focus on three key things to help us steer the course:
1) Setting clear expectations
2) Establishing our priorities
3) Committing to the end

As we prayerfully reflect on this I know that Jesus’ advice from John 15:5-7 is helpful - “I am the vine; you are the branches. If a man remains in me and I in him, he will bear much fruit; apart from me you can do nothing……..If you remain in me and my words remain in you, ask whatever you wish and it will be given to you.”

Yes, we continue to pray and work for more change. The fruit however comes from remaining faithful to God, from working together in an integrated and holistic way and recognising that the change we really long to see will require perseverance, persistence and hope.

I know God will give us breakthroughs along the way; I know we will see lives touched and changed; but I also know that the joy and strength we need will come from journeying together.

Thank you for being a part of Micah Network and Micah Challenge. We invite you to continue with us in Micah!

Please pray for this next step together. More Lord – much, much more.

Mexico


We are deeply troubled by the ongoing unrest in Mexico following the kidnapping and unknown fate of 43 students in Guerrero, Mexico. This event is shedding light on the endemic societal fractures which exist in Mexico, and which perpetuate systemic fear, violence, corruption and impunity.

We cry out to God to intervene:

O Almighty God,
the Father of all humanity,
turn, we pray, the hearts of all peoples and their rulers,
that by the power of your Holy Spirit
peace may be established among the nations
on the foundation of justice, righteousness and truth;
through him who was lifted up on the cross
to draw all people to himself,
your Son Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.

William Temple (1881-1944)

Zambian elections

Zambians are set to elect a new President on January 20th following the passing of president Michael Sata while in office in October.

Leadership rivalries within the primary political parties are clouding the lead-up to this important day.

Please pray:

That Zambians would take this election as an opportunity to influence their country's leadership in a positive way.

For candidates; that they would see the Presidential role as an opportunity to catalyse change and redress challenges of poverty and corruption in the country.

For peace and transparency to be demonstrated throughout the whole electoral process.

Ebola Priority


Though there have been glimmers of hope that some controls were beginning to bear fruit but the figures of new cases and increasing death rate show we have a long way to go. News reports stated that we were now at the 7,000 mark for lives lost and over 15,000 cases reported.

Let us continue to pray for God's intervention and the increasing impact of health care initiatives. For all who are responding we pray for their protection, strength and wisdom.

Lima Climate Change Talks: COP20

UN climate negotiations opening in Lima


Governments, activists and climate experts will come together from December 1-12 in Lima, Peru, for the annual UN climate summit where they will work to draft an agreement for the post-Kyoto agenda to be finalised in Paris late in 2015.

As these talks get underway in Lima, let us pray:

- That genuine ambition and leadership will be demonstrated at these talks, and that the international community will be inspired to make a commitment which genuinely reflects a desire to address climate change.

- That the voices of the South will be heard in these talks, particularly those who are already experiencing the devastating effects of climate change

- That good stewardship of our natural environment, a response to God's purposes and plans for His creation, would be reflected in the conversations which take place over these two weeks.

Micah Events

Micah Summit
New York, United States
December 7th -  9th, 2014

Give thanks for the progress that has been made in the fight against global poverty in recent decades. Join us in praying for world leaders as they make decisions regarding the post-2015 development agenda; that they would catalyse a new era of commitment and generosity.

Pray for the governing Boards, staff and members of Micah Network and Micah Challenge as they prepare to transition to the new 'Micah' in 2015. 

Courage for Change: transforming church, transforming community
Lahore, Pakistan
January 13th - 15th, 2015

Pray for the final preparations for this event; that they would go smoothly. Pray that Christian leaders, thinkers and practitioners from around Pakistan will take this opportunity to share and fellowship as they envision a transformed Pakistani society.

6th Triennial Global Consultation
Integral Mission and Shalom: justice, peace, joy
Lima, Peru
September 14th - 18th, 2015

Pray that final arrangements will happen smoothly, and that God will guide the program content as we work to commence promotions for this event. Pray for our host organisation Paz y Esperanza; that they would find the energy and capacity required to undertake the significant work involved in planning such a large event.