By Julius Opondo Nandi of Nairobi, Kenya
How beautiful upon the mountains are the feet of the messenger who announces peace, who brings good news, who announces salvation, who says to Zion, “Your God reigns.” Listen! Your sentinels lift up their voices, together they sing for joy; for in plain sight they see the return of the Lord to Zion.
(shared as part of the International Leaders Meeting, June 2025)
The Spirit of the Lord is upon me, because the Lord has anointed me to bring good tidings to the afflicted: CHRIST’S MISSION IS OUR MISSION.
When the world shut down, our doors closed, too, but not our mission. COVID-19 hit hard all over the world. “It was something none of us expected or knew how to deal with; we were all in a state of confusion, so to say,” expressed one of the community leaders via Zoom on one of our wellness fellowships that we held as a church.
“If we cannot gather in person,” one of the church members said, “we will gather in spirit.” At first, “showing up” looked like delivering groceries and a few necessities. A member offered his vehicle to help reach our members and their neighbors at their residences. We called every name in our directory just to ask, “Are you okay?”
We started what was almost like a prayer line, to give people HOPE, a sense of purpose, and encouragement through those trying times when there was total lockdown. The situation eased and the government allowed a few people to have in-house worship. At first, we did not have as many people as others were still in a state of limbo, but with time, we joined in together.
One of the members even cooked “mahamri” and brought it to church so people can have them with tea. Of course, we maintained social distance, but the fact that some of the congregants could worship together and see one another brought joy and a sense of togetherness. We could feel the Holy Spirit in a way that was so comforting.
“Nafurahia tu tuko pamoja, Acha Mungu aitwe Mungu,” most of the congregants would be heard saying, “We are happy to be together. May God be praised.”
Our community’s voice was never louder than in the silence of the lockdown. “We were scared, but we were faithful. You know we are not perfect,” says a youth teen, “but we did not quit on each other.” We just kept showing up.
Prayer Phrase
“For in him all things…were created…” (Colossians 1:16).
The International Community
Find (or imagine) a globe or map of the world. Look at all the nations and find a country other than your own. Notice the geographic distance between your homeland and this one. Picture a person living there. Pray for this person. Sense God’s love connecting you just as the oceans connect the continents. Thank God for the spiritual connection you have with all of God’s people around the globe. Ask a blessing on the church as a community sharing Christ’s peace, drawing all into the family of God.
Today’s Prayer for Peace
Engage in a daily practice of praying for peace in our world. Click here to read today’s prayer and be part of this practice of peace.