nepal: seeking peace
'Land of knowledge, land of peace;
Terai hills, mountains;
Undivided this beloved, our motherland Nepal.'
The words of the Nepalese national anthem stand in contrast to the current realities of the country: there is more division than unity, and more violence than peace. Kathmandu, the capital, is filled with thousands of Maoists demonstrating in its streets in protest against the current regime.
The protesters have come from all over the country and are staying in private buildings, including churches, as they do not have access to water, power or other facilities. There is much uncertainty over what might happen and general concern for the safety of people walking through the city. Roads are blocked and no means of transport are allowed, not even bicycles. All of this makes everyday life a real challenge.
In the midst of such a situation, there can be a temptation to despair, but, as a Nepalese IFES friend writes: 'We have a God who rules over everything.' Please join us in praying for our IFES friends there: ask the Lord to bring peace to their land and in their hearts as they come to God in prayer for their country.
In the midst of the unrest, the IFES movement in Nepal was able to hold some student camps recently, though staff and students had to walk for several days to reach the camp site. Pray for spiritual and physical renewal for all of them and, in particular, pray that the students who attended will continue to grow as disciples of Christ. Give thanks for several of them meet in small groups to pray together and spur each other up.
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