When congregations cannot gather in person for prayer, thereby helping to contain the Covid-19 pandemic, the Nicaraguan Lutheran Church of Faith and Hope (hereinafter – the Nicaraguan church) has decided to share short prayer videos over the course of 40 days. The Nicaraguan church launched a campaign called “Prayer Quarantine”. Editor’s note: the English word ‘quarantine’ comes from the Italian quarantina, which literally means ‘forty days’.
The aim of the campaign is to strengthen the faith and unity of congregations during self-isolation. Each day, prayer is offered for one of the member churches of the Lutheran World Federation in Latin America and the Caribbean, for the partners of the Nicaraguan church and for the countries in which these churches are located and carry out their ministry. “Despite the crisis that we are experiencing, there is always a way in which we can show God’s love to our brothers and sisters,” said Pastor Claudia S. López Ortega in the Nicaraguan church’s first prayer, for Costa Rica and for the Lutheran church there.
Pastor Ortega said that the time of quarantine “has shown that we must always be open to transformation, and that we must seek new ways in which we can remain united as brothers and sisters in Christ”. The campaign will continue until 24 May. Taking part are Bishop Victoria Cortez of the Nicaraguan Lutheran Church of Faith and Hope and members of the congregations, including leaders of women’s and men’s groups, pastors, lay leaders, youth leaders and catechism students.
On this Facebook page you can follow the 40 days of prayers together with the Nicaraguan churchAt this link you can donate to the Lutheran World Federation’s humanitarian work during the pandemic The Lutheran World Federation’s views, information and materials on the Covid-19 pandemic
Photo: David ABDALAH (ILFE) Source: The Lutheran World Federation news