Prayer cycle

Algeria, Libya, Morocco, Western Sahara, Tunisia

28 January - 03 February 2024

Shadows on camels in the desert sand — The dunes of Erg Chebbi is one of Morocco's two Saharan seas of sand dunes, formed by the wind. The dunes of Erg Chebbi reach a height of up to 150 meters in places and altogether it spans an area of 50 kilometers from north to south and up to 5–10 kilometers from east to west lining the Algerian border.

Intercessions

We are thankful for:

How the early Christian church developed here.
The biodiversity of plants, animals and the natural terrain.
How Berber, Arab and European cultures have blended.
How these countries have remained and stood against the invasion of cultural and military forces from elsewhere.

We pray for:

all the people of these countries: Muslims, the tiny remnant of Christians, those of other faiths who continuing bearing witness to their faiths and for all people of good will.
an end to political violence.
an end to how dominating powers have fought over these lands and their resources through the years.
for those suffering exploitation and mistreatment as they travel through these countries.

Prayers

Prayer on the road of life

God of life, there are days
when the burdens we carry are heavy on our shoulders and weigh us down,
when the road seems dreary and endless, the skies grey and threatening,
when our lives have no music in them,
our hearts lonely,
our souls losing their courage.
Flood the path with light.
Turn our eyes to where the skies are full of promise;
tune our hearts to brave music;
give us the sense of comradeship with heroes and saints of every age.
So quicken our spirits
that we may be able to encourage the souls of all,
who journey with us on the road of life,
to your honour and glory.

(attributed to Augustine of Hippo)

Here am I before you, O my God.
Here am I, rich in misery and poverty,
and a cowardice without name.
Here am I before you, who are nothing but love and mercy.
Before you, but by your grace alone,
I am here, all of me,
with all my spirit,
all my heart,
all my will.

(Frère Bruno of Tibhirine monastery, assassinated in May 1996)

Affirmation

I want peace -
around the world.
I want peace -
in our neighbourhood (village).
I want peace -
so that everyone can be joyous.
I want peace -
so that everyone can be happy.
I want peace -
so that all are free.
I want peace -
so that all become friends.
I want peace -
so that I can embrace my enemy.
Long live peace!
Long live peace!
O God, grant us your peace!