Prayer for the Sahel Countries

Prayer from Mauritania

Your land, O Lord, is divided
and suffers from fighting between your children.

Injustices of all kinds, hatred and bitterness
are part of the daily life of the people.

Families seek reconciliation.
Tribes and ethnic groups need reconciliation and peace.

The country needs to be restored and reconciled with itself
to deal with its past.

The downtrodden still struggle to live a decent life.
The powerful continue to exploit the powerless and the voiceless.

Send your Holy Spirit to reveal your presence and might to all.

May your name be feared and judgment brought upon those
who continue to oppress the little ones.

Enter into hearts and lives and change them to become havens of love.

Prayer for Mali, Niger, Chad, Burkina Faso and Mauritania

God, our Father, we bless you
for the gift of life that you grant us,
that strength of faith,
so fragile and so powerful,
which is nourished by the assurance of your love.

We pray to you, Lord,
for the sustenance of life for the people of these five countries,
Mali, Niger, Chad, Burkina Faso and Mauritania.
Stir up the strength and courage of all those who are engaged
in lifting these countries out of poverty.