Dear Sisters and Brothers,
This week I invite you to join in prayer with our sisters and brothers in the Democratic Republic of Congo. They face uncertainty about the national election set for December 23, which should culminate in Congo’s first peaceful transfer of power of the Head of State.
The population sees many challenges to achieving elections that they consider credible: there is skepticism about the use of electronic voting machines, whilst much of the country does not have access to electricity; the destruction last week of 80% of the voting materials for Kinshasa by an arson fire at the heavily guarded voting materials depot; concern for the logistical hurdles to overcome due to inadequate infrastructure; reports of political violence, including killings; active militia attacks in Eastern Congo; and the not yet contained Ebola outbreaks in Eastern Congo.
But the will of the Congo people is also strong, and many have great hope in God. Let us join in faithful prayer for the well-being of the people of the Congo and that their election will be considered free, fair, peaceful and reflecting the collective will of the people.
Dear God of Grace, Truth and Justice,
We join our voices with your beloved people in the Congo who long for the opportunity to select those who will be entrusted with authority to govern the country in peace and with justice.
Rev. J. Herbert Nelson, II
Stated Clerk of the General Assembly
Presbyterian Church (U. S. A.)