Prayer cycle

Myanmar, Thailand

01 - 07 December 2024

Sister teaching children to play flute — Burmese Sister Stella Pie Pi Moe teaches children to play the flute in a class at St. Mary's Catholic Church in the Ban Mai Nai Soi refugee camp in Thailand. Sister Stella is assigned to the camp--home to thousands of Burmese refugees--by the diocese of Loikaw in Myanmar. The flutes are cut from common PVC pipe.

Intercessions

We give thanks for:

the beauty of these countries and their people, and their many distinctive Buddhist temples
those who long have struggled that these countries might become more democratic
the faithful witness of churches, which have advocated with others for greater justice
efforts to protect the environment and resources in these countries.

We pray for:

minority ethnic and religious groups who continue to experience discrimination, persecution or even genocide (such as the Rohingyas), and for greater interfaith understanding and tolerance for ethnic and religious diversity
those victimized by sex tourism and exploitation, and those who perpetuate such acts
political stability and progress toward democratic rule
economic justice for all people, and environmental protection, as these countries undergo development.

Prayer

Give us this day our daily bread.
All good gifts of the earth come from your generous hands, God.
Yet, this abundance is not shared equally among us.
While some are satisfied, others are starving.
Women often become the victims of exploitation
because they are desperate to feed and care for their children.
If only we would be mindful that each and every one of us must pray:
Give us this day our daily bread.