Jan. 2020 Prayer List – English

Click here to: See Prayer List with Pictures and Maps. You can also use an automatic translation tool through this link. It’s the best way to read the List!!

2020 Watchword for Unity Women’s Desk
Turn to me and be gracious to me,
for I am lonely and afflicted. Psalm 25:16

The UWD Watchword for 2020 was not spoken by a woman, but it very well could have been. Hannah also poured out her heart to the Lord in a similar manner (1 Samuel 1:2-2:21).

Whether male or female, powerful or weak, we can find strength and peace by sharing our troubles with each other and with the Lord and opening our hearts to his love. The common experiences of loneliness and affliction that our Watchword mentions are at the heart of the Unity Women’s Desk ministry. Through God’s grace, the UWD seeks to serve women suffering from affliction by connecting them to the global resources of the Moravian Church.

It also seeks to empower women to serve as tools of God’s grace and mercy to others.

The following prayer topics are from a list of topics suggested by the North American provinces for the Unity Prayer Watch for 2020. They have been adapted to focus on the needs and empowerment of women within these topic areas. As we enter a new year, the UWD encourages everyone to join their prayers with those of the Unity Prayer Watch.

Pray for “the ongoing partnerships of the worldwide Unity, given the very different cultures and circumstances.” Pray that in each province, we work to overcome cultural assumptions that prevent us from following Christ’s command to love one another. The Bible shows us how Jesus cared for and respected women, immigrants, and those scorned by traditional powers. Pray that we follow Jesus’ example when it conflicts with the culture around us.

Pray for “the Unity to remain faithful to the Great Commandment and the Great Commission.” In many provinces of the Moravian Unity, the majority of those currently preparing for ordained ministry, waiting for a call, serving as evangelists and spreading the Good News through ministries of service are women. Pray that provincial leaders support these women and that more women are elected to leadership positions.

Pray for each of the 24 Unity Provinces, 5 Mission Provinces, and 15 Mission Areas. Christ has joined us together as one truly diverse, global denomination. Pray for a desire to learn about the gifts God has given each part of the world-wide Unity and to establish closer relationships with our Sisters and Brothers. The UWD tries to have a volunteer coordinator active in each province to identify girls and women who would be good candidates for scholarships and loans and to assist them with the application process. It is a challenge to maintain strong communication links with such a scattered network. Please pray that we are able to strengthen communication and relationships among our provincial coordinators.

Pray for the 2 Unity Undertakings:
1-Star Mountain Rehabilitation Center in Palestine: Pray for the Director Ranya Karam as she works with local government and “other civil society organizations to include people with Intellectual Disability in their agendas and programs.” Pray for the 37 staff members who work with 192 persons with intellectual disabilities of all ages. Star Mountain partners with many organizations to provide job training – from culinary school to circus acrobatics!

2-The Unity Archives in Herrnhut was founded in 1764 following the death of Count Zinzendorf and it has been located in Herrnhut since 1820. Pray for the Archivist Claudia Mai and the staff who welcome researchers from all over the world. The Archives provides an opportunity for academics to experience the living faith of Moravians as well as their history. The Archives contain many stories of women who were essential to the early Moravian Church. Pray that we would learn from our history and we respond to our world today.

Pray for the Unity Ministries:
1- The Unity Committee on Theology includes members from all four regions of the Unity (North America, Latin America & the Caribbean, Europe, and Africa). The committee has asked the Unity Board to prioritize gender diversity in making appointments to this board.

2- The Unity Mission and Development Board supports the work of the Unity in Missions, particularly “-mission to unreached people of different cultures;- mission to people in countries where there are other Christian churches, but previously no Moravian witness; and expansion and development of existing Moravian provinces.” Pray for all the representatives of this board, who are from all four regions and represent various Mission Boards. The Unity Women’s Desk does not have a delegate on this board but we are invited to attend meetings. Pray that this board responds to the particular needs of women and that UWD attendance helps to strengthen our partnership with other boards.

3- The Unity Youth Desk (http://www.unitasfratrumyouth.org/portfolio/who-we-are) has been a recognized Unity Ministry since 2016. Pray for the Jiřina, the Youth Desk Coordinator, and for the delegates from the four regions as they work “to bring attention to the youth work in the Moravian Church worldwide, to connect and encourage the youth and youth leaders.”

4- The Unity Women’s Desk is now concluding its first decade as a recognized Unity Ministry. Pray for clarity on the best ways to connect and empower women to serve as equals among God’s children. Providing scholarships to girls and women remains a top priority. The North American college/university scholarship application is now on our website and has been sent to all churches. Pray that these scholarships reach those in need who are committed to Christian service. Deadline for N. American scholarships is March 1. Another priority for 2020 is planning the next Unity Women’s Consultation in NC in Sept 2022. Pray for guidance on how to engage Moravian congregations in battling violence against women.

Please remember our Focus Areas for empowering women in your prayers – for your local area and worldwide: Education, Health, Overcoming Poverty, Violence against Women, Women in Ministry, and Parenting for Justice.