All Africa Drought and Famine

Worship Resources

"Thank you, the people in Zimbabwe know that the church has not abandoned them." - Eben Nhiwatiwa, Bishop of Zimbabwe, May 2005, speaking of the food crisis in his nation and the United Methodist response to it.

Southern Africa is particularly vulnerable to food shortages caused by drought. The following worship resources were written by the Rev. Steve Williams of the Missouri Annual Conference in 2002 at the time of the United Methodist Churchwide Appeal for Southern Africa Famine. They have been updated to reflect current food crises in Africa. The photographs on this page are copyright © 2002 Richard Lord and are used by permission. He took them in Balamanja, Malawi. Most of the photos show a supplemental food program that operates at a school. One shows a mother feeding her baby as she waits in a food distribution line.

One hundred percent of every gift designated for "All Africa Famine Relief, Advance #101250" will be used in the relief efforts. We also need Medicine Boxes. The generous giving of United Methodists to the One Great Hour of Sharing supplements the cost of Advance gifts. Give through a local United Methodist church or send financial contributions to: UMCOR, PO Box 9068, New York, NY 10087-9068. Call 1-800-554-8583 to make a credit card donation.

See Also: All Africa Drought and Famine: UMCOR's Response and UMCOR's All Africa Famine Bulletin Insert (2005).

First Sunday

Prayer of Confession

God of all people, we thank you for your loving embrace. We confess it is sometimes difficult for us to embrace others, especially when they are far away, and live in circumstances we can't even imagine. It's not that we don't care; it's just that we can't see past the boundaries and the borders and the walls of our own little world. By your grace, O God, break down those walls, erase the boundaries, and give us the wisdom to know that all who dwell on this planet are our brothers and sisters. Help us to live in the knowledge that we are all bound together by your love, and that what affects one affects us all. Give us the grace to care for all your people; for we pray in Jesus' name. Amen.

Litany

Leader: In Africa, the people of [name African countries affected, such as Zimbabwe and Ethiopia] cry out for help.

People: Are we these countries' keeper?

Leader: Parents in these countries grieve for their children, who will surely die unless someone responds to their weeping.

People: Are we these children's keeper?

Leader: God hears the cries of the poor and the hungry.

People: We hear God's call to care for them, and keep them, wherever and whoever they might be!

Prayer of Dedication

We give these gifts to you, Holy One, and in so doing, we release our hold on them. Use them; scatter them like seeds for a bountiful crop; shower them like rain on a barren land; multiply them like grain in a fertile field. May your use of these gifts make them holy, and may those who give and receive them be connected in a circle of love and care. We offer these gifts in Jesus' name. Amen.

Second Sunday

Prayer of Confession

Thank you, Loving God, for calling us to be your people. Forgive us when we fail to respond to that call. It is not apathy, but doubt which numbs us. The tasks to which you call us seem so incredible; what difference could we possibly make? We believe, O God; help our unbelief! Remind us again of the miraculous things you have done through those who offered simple obedience, in spite of their fear. We seek your grace to move us from doubt to action, and we offer this prayer in the name of Christ. Amen.

Litany

Leader: A widow's offering of the last of her oil and meal sustained her household for many days.

People: We believe, Lord; help our unbelief!

Leader: A child's offering of five loaves and two fish fed a crowd of more than 5,000.

People: We believe, Lord; help our unbelief!

Leader: A church's offering of all they had meant that there was not a needy person among them.

People: We believe, Lord; help our unbelief!

Leader: God uses whatever we offer to make great things happen for all of God's people.

People: We believe, Lord; help our unbelief!

Prayer of Dedication

God of grace and God of glory, we bring these offerings to you now. In light of the need, they seem insignificant. Yet we offer them in the belief that you can use them to make a difference in the lives of your children living in the midst of drought and on the verge of famine. Bless these gifts, we pray, in the name of Jesus the Christ. Amen.

Third Sunday

Prayer of Confession

Lord, we confess that we are weary; weary of giving, weary of sacrificing; weary of doing the best we can, when nothing ever seems to change. People are still hungry; wars never end. In spite of our best efforts, the situation only seems to get worse. What is the point? Save us, O God, from resignation in the face of situations that never change, of hunger that is never satisfied, of hope that is constantly crushed. Keep before us a vision of life as you want all to live it, and an image of your reign of love and peace. Stir our imaginations, and energize our spirits, that we might continue to be faithful in spite of our weariness. For we pray in Jesus' name. Amen.

Litany

Leader: In the midst of hopelessness, we are called to hope!

People: We who wait upon the Lord shall renew our strength!

Leader: In the midst of despair, we are invited to rejoice.

People: We shall mount up with wings as eagles!

Leader: In the midst of overwhelming odds, we are urged to action.

People: We shall run and not be weary; we shall walk and not faint!

Leader: In the midst of darkness, we are given a vision of God's reign.

People: With God's grace, we will work faithfully to make that vision a reality!

Prayer of Dedication

Everlasting God, creator of the ends of the earth, you do not grow faint or weary. As we bring these offerings before you now, we pray your blessings on them. And as they receive your blessing, so may we receive it, that we might never weary of doing good, but be strengthened by your grace to be faithful to your call. We pray in the name of Jesus the Christ. Amen.