Prayer for Ethiopia: A 365 Day Global Prayer Journey - May 19 (Day 140)

If you grew up in the 70s-80s like I did, you probably need an updated vision of Ethiopia.

When I hear the country's name, my mind immediately jumps to the protruded stomachs of the old "Feed the Children" videos - not necessarily the best approach to poverty alleviation, international development, OR awareness of helping in ways that facilitate development rather than further dependency.

Ethiopia is so very much more than those videos reflected. Ethiopia is one of the oldest nations on the earth and has an extensive written history. The northern portion was one of the world's first Christian nations in the 4th Century. It's mentioned numerous times in Scripture (sometimes by the name we now know, other times as "Cush") and was famously the home of the Ethiopian Eunuch of Acts 8 fame. Since 1991, freedom of worship and witness has prevailed.

Please read pages 327-331 to get a glimpse of today's Ethiopia. We'll focus on pages 328-329.

My prayer for today: Oh Lord, what an amazing opportunity to pray for a country with such a rich legacy, with so much history. Thank You for the privilege of praying for Ethiopia, and of gaining Your heart for this land. Thank you for the growth of the church and the unity that continues. Thank You for the huge demand for Scripture and the renewal within the Orthodox church based on bringing Your word into a prominent place. Thank You for the cracks in the the walls between Orthodox and Catholics and evangelicals - we ask for those walls to crumble entirely. We pray for the Orthodox church to find its purpose in you now that it has no political influence. Lord, despite the increased political stability we see the hostilities with their neighbors and the realities of corruption and ethnic fragmentation. We pray for You to move within the hearts of leaders to establish a righteous and just government. Lord, we pray for ways to help Ethiopia that will truly help, not hurt, and for freedom from the cycle of dependency that has come to dominate much of Africa. We pray for the continued growth of the protestant and independent churches, with a missions vision that will spread beyond the current 3% mobilized. Lord, finish the task in Ethiopia. In Jesus' name amen.