The pontifical foundation Aid to the Church in Need (ACN) is calling for a 24-hour Global Day of Prayer for peace in Myanmar, which will be celebrated on 1 February. On this date, which marks an important anniversary in the country’s recent history, the foundation’s headquarters and 23 national offices will join forces, inviting people from all over the world to join in a spirit of solidarity and hope.
The day will be divided into prayer shifts, allowing global participation during the 24 hours. Each of ACN’s national offices will lead their own moments of guided prayer, but people can also pray individually.
“We at Aid to the Church in Need are deeply moved by the situation in Myanmar. This day is an opportunity for everyone, regardless of their place of origin, to unite in a collective plea for peace and reconciliation,” said Regina Lynch, Executive President of ACN International.
“During the day of prayer, we want to remember the victims and deceased in the conflict, asking for comfort for their families and eternal peace for those who have departed. Our brothers and sisters experience bombings, hunger, lack of electricity and means; priests and religious often have to travel for days to reach the more distant parishes, experiencing dangerous situations but, in spite of everything, they continue to carry out their work,” explains Lynch.
“They thank us for the help of benefactors and ask us, ‘Please pray for us, pray for our safety, pray for our families, pray for our people,’ so that’s what we want to do,” Lynch says.
On this day, ACN proposes to remember other intentions as well. Among them the faithful who have been displaced from their homes and live in hiding, facing uncertainty and poverty; for young people, many of whom have been displaced by the war and face a difficult future due to constant threats; for the male and female religious, who risk their lives to bring spiritual aid, sometimes living in the open air to protect themselves from the bombings, but do not lose hope; as well as for the vocations that are emerging in the midst of this suffering.
ACN, the international foundation of the Catholic Church that supports suffering and persecuted Christians and communities in need in more than 140 countries, invites benefactors, friends and project partners from around the world to join this initiative. It also encourages all to share this call on social networks and community circles, so that the message of peace reaches even further.
In Malta, the local hour of prayer is scheduled for Saturday, January 25, from 10:00 AM to 11:00 AM at St. Clare’s Monastery on Mikiel Anton Vassalli Road, Kappara, San Gwann. This session will be recorded and broadcast internationally as part of the global prayer chain, where each ACN office around the world will contribute one hour of prayer.
Participants in Malta are encouraged to join the session in person, and those interested are asked to RSVP by calling 2148 7818 or emailing info@acnmalta.org.
