Hello friends, my name is Michael Waddell and I serve as Senior Associate for Faith + Work, and I oversee CBM’s work in the Philippines with our partners there.

I want to take a few moments to express my sincere thanks and deep appreciation for your ongoing prayers and faithful support of CBM.

As we begin a new year,   please pray this week for the new projects and initiatives that are launching within our network of partners around the world.  Continue to pray for the health and safety of our partners as they continue to serve in poor and marginalized communities that are really struggling because of this pandemic.  Pray too, for the Faith + Work initiatives in India and the Philippines as they begin a new year of business activities amidst the ever-changing global pandemic.

Below, you will find a full list of prayers that you can use to guide your prayers this week.

Thanks again for taking the time to bring these prayer requests before our mighty God,

May God bless you and the work of your hands this week!

• A new year has brought about many new opportunities for CBM to engage with our partners around the world in embracing a broken world through word and deed. In the Philippines, CBM partners with Kabuganaan Philippines Ministries (KPM)  in a wide range of Integral Mission programs.  In addition to KPM’s Faith + Work initiatives (Food for Life & Bugana Livelihood Center), they will also be carrying out programs focused on education and formation for pre-school and college-age students, practical theological education for pastors, and capacity building and livelihood initiatives for individuals and families in poor and marginalized communities.  Please pray that 2022 will be a year of great impact for the Kingdom of God through the work that CBM is doing with KPM in Capiz province of the Philippines.

• Although a new year often presents new opportunities and new beginnings, it has not brought about an immediate end to the pandemic. In fact, in many places’ cases are escalating to levels not seen before.  Cases are soaring across Canada and around the world.  It is clear that this pandemic will continue to affect our lives for the foreseeable future.  This means ongoing challenges (economic, social, political, healthcare, etc.) will continue to disrupt our daily activities.  Please continue to pray for those who are most vulnerable to this virus.  Please also pray for the health and safety of CBM’s partners and field staff who are serving on the frontlines.  And please pray that vaccines will reach those who need them most around the world, especially in the global south, so we can hopefully see an end to this pandemic in 2022.

• Carrying out business activities on the best of days can be difficult, but especially so during a global pandemic that restricts the activities of businesses and their customers. Through CBM’s Faith + Work initiatives, we are working with partners in India and the Philippines to establish sustainable and profitable businesses designed to address specific community needs such as high rates of unemployment, high levels of debt for farmers, and a lack of equitable markets to sell their goods.  Please pray that despite the ongoing pandemic, these Faith + Work initiatives will achieve their goals for 2022.  Pray also that these initiatives will flourish for the benefit of those involved, the enhancement of their communities, and the glory of God.