A girl washes her hands at the entrance of her parents’ house in Pikine, on the outskirts of Dakar, Senegal (REUTERS/Zohra Bensemra)
“In the world’s least developed countries (LDCs), 900 million people are at risk from coronavirus. These countries lack the economic resources and medical infrastructure of their more developed counterparts but can learn lessons from their response and benefit from their support…The ongoing death toll from the COVID-19 pandemic in developed countries such as Italy and the US portends a looming disaster in the world’s most impoverished countries…those nearly 50 countries who fall under the UN’s Least-Developed Country (LDC) status.” – World Economic Forum, 03/23/2020
Dear Friends,
In addition to continuing to pray for our nation and other nations currently suffering from the devastating effects of the novel coronavirus, I invite you to join me this week in also praying for the world’s least-developed countries, and the looming COVID-19 crisis many face.
Blessings,
Pastor Basile
“God is our refuge and strength, an ever-present help in trouble. Therefore we will not fear…” (Psalm 46:1-2)
A Prayer
Loving God, Your desire is for our wholeness and well-being. We hold in tenderness and prayer the collective suffering of our world at this time. We grieve precious lives lost and vulnerable lives threatened. We ache for ourselves and our neighbors, standing before an uncertain future. We pray: may love, not fear, go viral. Inspire our leaders to discern and choose wisely, aligned with the common good…Reveal to us new and creative ways to come together in spirit and in solidarity. Call us to profound trust in your faithful presence, You, the God who does not abandon. Amen.
- Jesuit Resource, Xavier University
“Praying with the Pastor” is a resource highlighting prayer needs in our community, nation, and world. Names of Zion members and friends requesting prayer are listed in the weekly church bulletins, and monthly Messenger Newsletter. May God’s blessings abound as we consistently lift up the world, including our own church family, in prayer!