Prayer Guide for the week 6 to 12 July

I’d rather see a sermon than hear one any day;
I’d rather one should walk with me than merely tell the way.
Edgar Guest, poet

James, in his letter writes that faith by itself, if it is not accompanied by action is dead. In churches we see the members involved in many outreach projects into their local community, to the poor, the hungry, the homeless, the aged and the sick. Churches are setting up schools in the former townships for children whose parents cannot afford formal schooling. Ladies go into the former townships and teach sewing and knitting. In our church, we reach out with our bread donations, clothing for warmth month and more.

There are organisations (not necessarily Christian based) such as the Salvation Army, Red Cross, Gift of the Givers and Doctors without Borders who voluntarily give of their time to go into disaster areas to physically involve themselves in assisting in whatever way is needed.

We think of those individuals who quietly bring soup and sandwiches to the people living under the bridges, in carboard shelters against fences and in makeshift tents.

Please remember in your prayers:

• The teachers, sewers and knitters who give of their time helping the children and ladies in the former townships.
• The nameless individuals who provide succour to the street people
• The doctors and medics who assist in disaster areas.
• The people assisting refugees from countries at war, Syria, Ukraine, Somalia and others
• Our police and security forces who ensured that there were no riots with the June 30 marches
• And let us give thanks that the marches were relatively peaceful and pray that future marches will remain so.