THE
DEMOCRATIC
REPUBLIC
OF CONGO
Photo:Richard Hanson/Tearfund
‘THE WAR THE
WORLD FORGOT’
But God has not
forgotten
the DRC - nor must we.
BACKGROUND
By January 2013, as a result of the ongoing violence, it
was estimated that conflict in the eastern DRC had
forced approximately 2.7 million people to abandon
their homes. Yet the immense suffering continues to be
overlooked by the world’s media.
Internally displaced people planting beans in fields around their camp Kirotshe.
Photo: Richard Hanson/Tearfund
We know God has not
forgotten the people of the
DRC and we must show them
that we haven't forgotten
them either.
Photo: Richard Hanson/Tearfund
This prayer guide is based on
not forgetting seven key
issues in relation to the DRC.
1. Don’t forget…
THE CONGOLESE PEOPLE
‘When you feel overwhelmed,
what keeps you going?
It is the word
of God and prayers.’
Arivera, a 41-year-old Congolese farmer
‘Arise, Lord!
Lift up your hand,
O God. Do not
forget the
afflicted.’
(Psalm 10:12)
Pray for God’s
presence and
protection over
homeless, hungry,
sick and injured
people, and victims
of rape and
violence.
Habiba and family
Photo: Corrie Sissons/Tearfund
2. Don’t forget…
THE ONGOING CONFLICT
AND THE INTERNATIONAL RESPONSE
‘We pray for peace because without
that we can’t do anything.’
Nyange, a farmer with a family of six in Bikuchu, eastern DRC
‘But God will never forget the
needy; the hope of the afflicted
will never perish.’ (Psalm 9:18)
Photos: Richard Hanson/Tearfund
PRAY
• Pray that deep, true and
lasting peace and security will
reign in the DRC.
• Pray for strength and
patience for the people of the
DRC as they hope for peace
to come.
• Pray that there will continue
to be fruitful and fair
negotiations between the
government and other parties,
leading to lasting stability and
peace in the DRC.
Nzulo internally
displaced peoples camp
3. Don’t forget…
THOSE IMPACTED
BY SEXUAL VIOLENCE
'Only last month our village was attacked…
my wife was raped.'
Simon, 31, a pastor in a church in eastern DRC,
March 2013
'God is not unjust; he will
not forget your work and
the love you have shown
him as you have helped his
people and continue to
help them.’ (Hebrews 6:10)
Pray that God will bring
comfort and healing to
women who have suffered
abuse, and ask that they
will have strength and
protection to speak out.
A patient at Heal Africa Hospital
Photo: Richard Hanson/Tearfund
4. Don’t forget…
THE ROLE OF THE CHURCH
‘The church contributes to
our internal healing.’
says a survivor of sexual violence
'The Lord himself goes before
you and will be with you; he
will never leave you nor
forsake you. Do not be afraid;
do not be discouraged.’
(Deuteronomy 31:8)
Pray that churches in the DRC
will show leadership in the
fight against poverty and
challenge the prevalence of
sexual violence in
Congolese communities.
Pastor Samuel Mayele of Heal Africa
Credit: Geoff Crawford /Tearfund
5. Don’t forget…
THE ROLE OF SURROUNDING COUNTRIES
‘We pray for peace because Congolese
believe that despite the long years of
suffering, peace is achievable.’
Christine Karumba, Tearfund Deputy Country Director in the DRC
'If it is possible, as far as it
depends on you,
live at peace with everyone.'
(Romans 12:18)
Please pray for leaders of the
DRC’s neighbouring nations
such as Rwanda and Uganda,
that they will encourage
peaceful and understanding
relationships and actions with
the DRC.
6. Don’t forget…
THE NEED FOR INFRASTRUCTURE
AND GOOD GOVERNANCE
'We also pray that our government would
have love for their nation.'
Nyange, a farmer with a family of
six in Bikuchu, eastern DRC
'I urge, then, first of all, that
petitions, prayers,
intercession and thanksgiving
be made for all people - for
kings and all those in
authority… This is good, and
pleases God our Saviour.’
(1 Timothy 2:1-3)
Photo: Corrie Sissons/Tearfund
Pray that the DRC
government will rule justly
and wisely, acting for the
people of the DRC and putting
their needs first.
7. Don’t forget…
TEARFUND IN THE DRC
'I pray that God blesses Tearfund
and all their staff!'
Muholeza, aged 32, a widow who is involved
with Tearfund’s food security projects in Musochi, eastern DRC
• Give thanks to God for
the work of Tearfund and
our partners who work
among families displaced
by the conflict and with
victims of sexual violence.
• Pray for staff as they
continue to help people
who are most in need.
Water supply at internally displaced peoples
camp, Minova, provided by a Tearfund DRC
partner.
Photo: Richard Hanson/Tearfund
AND FINALLY: A PRAYER FROM THE DRC
O God, loving parent of all, comfort your
children – displaced, wounded, lost or
orphaned by conflict in the DRC - and give the
people of that country courage to seek
enduring peace with justice and freedom, that
their children might grow up without fear.
For the sake of your Son, Jesus Christ.
Amen.
Adapted from the Anglican Swahili prayer books: Tanzania (1995) and Congo (1998).
Thank you for praying.
Please continue to keep the DRC in your prayers.
Visit www.tearfund.org/pray to see our current
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prayer email.
Pendeza and her family
Photo: Corrie Sissons/Tearfund