CPI

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Balfron Kirk session has agreed that as a church we will pray for the nations of Malawi and Australia to support them in the coming meeting of the Commonwealth Heads of Government in Perth Western Australia later this month CHOGM MEETS WITH CPI

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" First of all, then, I urge that entreaties and prayers, petitions and thanksgivings, be made on behalf of all men, for kings and all who are in authority, so that we may lead a tranquil and quiet life in all godliness and dignity."

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CPI Commonwealth Prayer Initiative has been establish by Christian leaders in Perth to help focus the prayers for the 54 nations that make up the Commonwealth

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In the lead up to this year’s CHOGM, the Commonwealth Prayer Initiative (CPI) will support the meeting with prayers for peace, security and wisdom as the leaders make decisions affecting 2.1 billion people in every part of the world. The purpose of the Initiative is to pray for a successful and safe event for the leaders, delegates and nations involved; connect people around the Commonwealth; unite their nations and generate interest and awareness in the MDGs and the Commonwealth in general. It aims to achieve this through ten days of events.

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Commonwealth Prayer Initiative presents Arise, Shine, for your light has come! Isaiah 60:1 In the lead up to CHOGM and Converge Week In Perth, Western Australia

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“it is our hope that CHOGM 2011 would have a positive and lasting impact - on heads of Government, those attending parallel events and on the nations represented. “CHOGM has proved a great catalyst for connecting young and old, rich and poor, across at least 54 countries, whose desire is to see one another’s nations strengthened, through the upholding of Commonwealth values – and also through prayer” Speaking to the Commonwealth Foundation, Wendy Yapp, Founder of the Commonwealth Prayer Initiative said:

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Over 2 billion people live in the Commonwealth of Nations. They represent ¼ of the world’s population and 1/3 of the world nations, spread over every continent. The Commonwealth Prayer Initiative aims to strengthen and connect these people and their nations – through Christ centred prayer in the lead up to the next CHOGM meeting. "First of all, then, I urge that entreaties and prayers, petitions and thanksgivings, be made on behalf of all men, for kings and all who are in authority, so that we may lead a tranquil and quiet life in all godliness and dignity."

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Malawi is a long, narrow south-east African country shaped by the dramatic Rift Valley, with Lake Malawi a dominant feature. It is bordered by Mozambique to the east, south and south-west, by Zambia to the north and north-west, and by the United Republic of Tanzania to the north and north-east. There are three regions: the northern (capital Mzuzu), the central (capital Lilongwe) and the southern (capital Blantyre).

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Not a typical image of Malawi

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Perhaps more like this

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Village prayer meeting

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Living with poverty

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Everyone is poor so everyone works

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The 58-year-old businesswoman is one of a new breed of “agro-dealers,” who not only sell products, but are certified to advise customers on how to best use them.

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African Child with Singer Sewing Machine, rural Malawi (SE Africa

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Agnes Boti struggles to bend down as she attempts to replant maize seeds in her garden. Her crop, which was supposed to be food for her family for a whole year was washed away in February by floods that ravaged Malawi’s southern region

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Market day

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Church

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Everyone wants to go to school here Even if there is no school

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Climate: The tropical climate is tempered by altitude and cooler on the high plateaux. There are three seasons: a cool, dry season from mid-April to August; a warm, dry season from September to November; and a rainy season (receiving 90% of precipitation) from December to April. Most of the country is well watered, receiving 800–2,500mm of rain, with some areas in the high plateaux receiving 3,500mm p.a.

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Malawi is beset with political problems and needs to have firm political leadership There is a great deal of poverty in this country that needs the support of the world Malawi has a low life expectancy and high infant mortality There is a high prevalence of HIV/AIDS , which is a drain on the labour force and government expenditures Malawi is among the world's least developed countries

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What can we do other than prayer? There are practical things that have been done This is an extract from an email from a Coptic church in Melbourne that heard about the CPI and decided to take action The action was led by a six year old and an eight year old

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After I presented the idea to the church congregation and Sunday School children last year, two girls namely Monica Youssif (year 8 then) and Marina Salma (year 6 then) approached me with the idea of every Sunday School Class from year 5 to year 11 should adopt a child in one of those 2 nations for the year and they offered to start working on the idea. I remembered the verse of St James that says "Pure and undefiled religion before God and the Father is this: to visit orphans and widows in their trouble, and to keep oneself unspotted from the world. James 1:27 (New King James Version).

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In the first week they organized a cake stall and raised around $400 as a kick start followed by weekly collection from the children. I put them in touch with Fr. Mark Attallah our missionary priest to this area who welcomed the idea and encouraged them. By now they managed to raise enough money to adopt seven children for almost 10 months.

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The prayers for each nation have been chosen by the people and church leaders in that nation They note the essential problems in that nation and ask that prayer is directed to solving these problems

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Prayer for Malawi poverty, high population growth increasing pressure on agricultural land Reduction of national debt HIV/AIDS Malawi’s leaders (who are mostly Christian) for wisdom, humility & a biblical base for long term planning

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Westminster national day prayer Let us pray for the peoples of Malawi, and for their leaders; for all nationals living in this country, for Malawi diplomats dispersed throughout the world; and for the work of the Malawi High Commission in Australia.

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Prayer for Australia Christians to engage in social issues such as sexuality, religion & sanctity of life, in a productive and relevant manner. A breakthrough among the youth, especially in regards to drug & alcohol abuse Wisdom that leaders in government would rule with truth & justice

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Prayer for the United Kingdom Continued world influence & power wielded for what is just & right For a national sense of purpose and direction Continued blessing to the world through Alpha, 24/7 prayer, evangelical writers, theologians & worship leaders