ELKHART, Ind (Mennonite Mission Network)—Mennonite Mission Network partners and supporters around the world joined together Wednesday, May 18, for Mission Network’s Day of Prayer, creating a 24-hour prayer chain to support God’s work in the world.
Marlene Kroeker, a Mission Network development associate who organized the Day of Prayer, said the goals for the day were twofold.
“We wanted to have as many people praying for our work as possible, and to start a conversation on prayer,” she said. “We don’t want this to stop here; we really want this to be a resource for the church.”
Supporters used Mission Network’s Facebook page to request prayer for particular ministries.
Norm Dyck, through the Facebook page, requested prayer for Burkina Faso.
“Pray for the church in Burkina Faso as it continues to grow leaders and encourage communities to discipleship,” he wrote.
People requested prayer for specific mission workers, for peace in war-torn countries around the world, and for God’s provision for the nuclear refugees in Japan.
Mennonite Church of Normal in Normal, Ill., organized 110 church members to pray in 15-minute increments for 24 hours—from midnight on Wednesday to midnight on Thursday—to support mission workers from their congregation, Lois and Wayne Hochstetler, who are based out of London.
“I have seldom been so overwhelmed as by this response,” Wayne wrote. “It makes me want to say that I am not worthy of this, but then I remember that as a child of God, commissioned by these very same people to do this task, that I need to receive this incredible gift with thanksgiving.”
In preparation for the Day of Prayer, Mission Network staff recorded videos about how they pray, new ways to pray, and the importance of prayer in supporting mission work. The videos, which will be available permanently at the Mission Network website, can be seen at http://new.mennonitemission.net/DayofPrayer/Pages/Videos.aspx. Mission Network supporters can also upload their own videos about how they pray.
The website also features resources on centering prayer, praying the scriptures, and stories of how prayers have been answered.
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Mennonite Mission Network, the mission agency of Mennonite Church USA, leads, mobilizes and equips the church to participate in holistic witness to Jesus Christ in a broken world. Media may contact Andrew Clouse at andrewc@mmnworld.net, 574-523-3024 or 866-866-2872, ext. 23024.
