In the midst of the Covid-19 pandemic, UMN invites all people of prayer to set aside time daily to ask for God’s help in our work in Nepal. The time suggested for UMN staff is 3.00 pm. For our friends around the world, we ask that you join us either at the equivalent time in your country of 3 pm Nepal time, or whenever you are able. Many have found setting a daily alarm on their phone a useful reminder.
Due to the steady “normalization†of the ongoing crisis, we are reducing our regular prayer updates to once a week, on Mondays. When there is a critical need for prayer on a time-sensitive matter, we will send a request at other times as well. Thank you so much for joining us in prayer.
Thank you for your fellowship in prayer.
Joel Hafvenstein
“Be joyful in hope, patient in affliction, faithful in prayer.â€
(Romans 12:12)
We encourage everyone who is praying for UMN not only to raise our requests but to listen to God on UMN’s behalf. Please take time to read this Bible verse slowly to yourself. Pause and ask God to speak through His Word. Then read it slowly again. Settle and calm your mind before you pray.
Major Matters for Prayer
Finally, after four months, the Government has declared that Nepal’s lockdown is over. The numbers of new cases of infection have been falling from their peak, and the lockdown has brought great suffering. Nepal is reeling under deep recession which is affecting everyone. However we all know that extreme caution is needed as this disease can run out of control with little warning. Please pray for Government and all officials who take decisions and try to manage every aspect of national life. There is a long period of hardship and recovery ahead.
Praise God: In Okhaldhunga, the four COVID-19 patients admitted to the hospital’s isolation ward have now tested negative, as have their neighbours in their home municipalities. Earlier in the week, we held a short farewell program for these recovered patients, who expressed their thanks for the good nursing care and services they received at the hospital.
Pray for UMN’s Clusters as they work remotely with our partners to address the pandemic. For example, in Rukum Cluster UMN has supported the local government to equip 21 local health facilities and three quarantine centres with essential supplies for Covid-19 prevention and protection. Our partners Christian Society Development Campaign (CSDC) and Nepal Magar Society Service & Information Centre (MIC Nepal) distributed PPE sets, thermal guns, oximeters, masks, and hygiene materials. Due to monsoon and rough terrain (much of which must be traversed on foot) this work has been challenging in every Cluster. We give thanks and pray that these materials will provide safety for many.
Pray for all our Cluster Team Leaders who are communicating constantly with their team members, partner organisations, local Government officials and leadership and staff based in Kathmandu. In many ways, more than others in UMN, they are at the ‘coal face’ between our organisation and the people we long to help.
Please pray for the Leadership Team of UMN led by Joel, and specifically the hospitals’ leadership, as they continue to wrestle with the issues of how best to respond to this disaster. There are huge issues of finance, safety, risk, and the call to serve the needy. These must all be held together in creative tension. Wisdom from above is needed.