“I believe in the unlimited power of prayer,” writes the leader of a Mennonite World Conference member church in Myanmar. He was announced as a special guest for Online Prayer Hour in January 2023. However, he was unable to share about the situation of his church due to a countrywide internet outage. His name is withheld for security reasons.  

The church leader asks for prayer for Myanmar.  

“People are suffering hunger and even death due to the war. Youth are embittered; they become avid to take up arms. 

“Yet, thanks to God’s grace, our church is living out the gospel. The Body of Christ is growing.” 

Online Prayer Hour is a bimonthly, one-hour prayer meeting on Zoom open to all Anabaptist-Mennonites to intercede together. After a brief focus on Scripture and prayer points, participants join small groups by language (English, Spanish, French, Hindi, Indonesian). At the end, group leaders share items raised in their rooms.  

At January’s meeting, group leaders called for prayer…

• That the church would walk with those who are marginalized and seek justice; for reconciliation with Indigenous peoples in Canada and the USA, and for churches in Mexico who are asked to provide refuge for migrants; 
• For de-escalation of political polarization, income inequality, homelessness and food security;  
• For de-escalation of political violence in Bolivia, Peru, Brazil and Colombia; for those affected by war, particularly in Ukraine, Burkina Faso, Ethiopia; for churches to act wisely in the spirit of peace in violent times;
• For Indonesia’s general election in 2024; 
• For Indian Christians: those attacked by mobs in Chhattisgarh, India, those at Emmanuel Hospital Association in Fatehpur which was vandalized, and for organizations struggling to operate without FCRA documentation; 
• For the loved ones and students of Christian leaders killed in a Nepali plane crash; 
• For sanitation measures and health care in Malawi where a cholera epidemic is rising; 
• For resources to show God’s love; and for the missionary efforts of Kenya Mennonite Church in Somalia; 
• For unity amid diversity, especially for those who are a minority. 

The prayer hour ends with joyful pandemonium as friends from around the world call out greetings from screen to screen in many languages.