Pray

Partners & Ministries
We thank the Lord for His protection over CEDAR staff during their visit to partners in Yangon, Myanmar, in early February, and their safe return to Hong Kong. On 13 March, our staff will share about the challenges faced by local partners in combating human trafficking and the experiences of survivors and lead prayers for the people of Myanmar at the ‘Anti-Human Trafficking’ CEDAR Myanmar Ministry Sharing and Prayer Meeting (Chinese only). However, shortly after their return, a local school in Mon State was struck in an air raid. Fortunately, no one was at the school that day, and there were no casualties. After that, villagers were forced to flee and hide, with children crying incessantly out of fear. We earnestly ask the Lord to protect the local people, bring peace and comfort, and strengthen our partners in their efforts to bring hope and support to the oppressed.

The World & Our Neighbours
The freezing of foreign aid by the United States has significantly impacted global poverty alleviation efforts, particularly for vulnerable communities relying on USAID funding. Many poverty alleviation programmes in Afghanistan, Myanmar, Ukraine, and other regions have been forced to scale back or cancel due to funding cuts, placing impoverished populations in dire situations and making it difficult for local service organisations to support those under oppression. We pray for the Lord’s mercy upon those affected by these challenges so that He can provide for their needs. We inspire more organisations and believers to support these efforts, bringing love actively and hope to those in greatest need.

CEDAR Team & Needs
This year, Lent begins on 5 March and concludes on the eve of Easter, 19 April. To assist in reflection and spiritual discipline, we have designed the ‘GROWING’ Spiritual Growth Calendar (Chinese only). Through weekly devotional articles and various suggested practices, we hope to help everyone reflect on the Lord’s commands to care for His creation and to love our neighbours. May the Lord use this calendar to deepen our understanding of the importance of creation care, the injustices brought about by climate change, the plight of disaster-affected communities, and how we can support them.

Partners & Ministries
Thank God that the Lord has not forgotten the sufferers. The Myamnar’s authorities see CEDAR’s funding as a non-Western source, we can continue to work with our local partners to grasp the path opened by God and walk alongside the people of Myanmar.

The World & Our Neighbours
The situation in Myanmar is currently dire. The military government’s crackdown on civilians has become increasingly brutal, employing a ‘scorched-earth policy’ with airstrikes and shelling. Schools, refugee camps, and medical centres have been destroyed, leaving civilians living in fear. According to United Nations data, around 1 million people in Myanmar required humanitarian assistance in 2021. By 2025, that number is expected to rise to 19.9 million—a nearly 19-fold increase over four years. This surge is driven mainly by intensifying armed conflict, disasters and economic and political instability. Please pray for Myanmar’s people so they may find peace and hope amid their hardships.

CEDAR Team & Needs
The ‘Red Packet Campaign’ theme in 2025 is ‘Brightening the Lives of Refugee Children’. We have visited different churches and schools to share the needs of children in conflict. May the Lord move brothers and sisters to respond through donations so that refugee children can envision a brighter future and illuminate their lives.

Syrian refugees living in makeshift tents or basic shelters are also facing severe hardships, preparing to endure the brutal snowstorm of severe winter. For many years, CEDAR has supported the winter relief efforts in Lebanon, providing winter supplies to help vulnerable people survive the cold. Pray that the Lord will grant smooth progress to the ministry and allow the refugees struggling to survive in poverty to feel the warmth from the Lord.

The World & Our Neighbours
For years, various factions in Syria have continued to fight for control of the country. In early December 2024, opposition forces captured the capital, Damascus, and President Bashar al-Assad fled Syria. In this time of turmoil, we pray for the Lord’s mercy to protect innocent civilians. May all parties lay down their hostilities and engage in constructive dialogue to lead the nation toward peace and end the ongoing cycle of violence. May the Lord have compassion on the vulnerable groups within the country, helping them to gradually rebuild their homes amidst the ruins of war and heal the wounds inflicted by physical, mental and spiritual.

CEDAR Team & Needs
The ‘Red Packet Campaign’ theme in 2025 is ‘Brightening the Lives of Refugee Children’. We are grateful that at least 19 churches and schools have already committed to participating in this year’s campaign. May the Lord inspire brothers and sisters, students and parents, to see the needs of refugees and internally displaced families and children in the Middle East, Asia, and Africa and to support the ministry through donations so that refugee children can envision a brighter future and their lives can be illuminated.

Partners & Ministries
The Israel-Hamas war has intensified conflicts between Israel and Lebanon, forcing countless Lebanese people to flee their homes and sink into poverty. Syrian refugees living in makeshift tents or poor shelters are also facing severe hardships, preparing to endure the brutal snowstorm of severe winter. For many years, CEDAR has supported the winter relief efforts in Lebanon, providing winter supplies to help vulnerable people survive the cold. Pray that the Lord will grant smooth progress to the ministry and allow the refugees struggling to survive in poverty to feel the warmth from the Lord.

The World & Our Neighbours
As wars between Russia, Ukraine and the Middle East continue to rage, innocent civilians are in danger, insecurity and fear. In addition to praying for an early end to the war, we pray that the Lord will comfort those affected, allowing them to experience the Lord’s grace in their suffering and feel the care, support and assistance from all over the world so that they will not be left alone or fall into despair.

CEDAR Team & Needs
The ‘Red Packet Campaign’ theme in 2025 is ‘Brightening the Lives of Refugee Children’. Before the Israel-Hamas war, 1.5 million Syrians fled to neighbouring Lebanon, with half of these refugees being teenagers and children under the age of 18. Among children aged 6 to 14, 37% have dropped out of school, and some have even become child labourers. May the Lord inspire brothers and sisters to participate in helping refugees, internally displaced families, and children in need in the Middle East, Asia and Africa so that refugee children can envision a brighter future and their lives can be illuminated.

Partners & Ministries
May we remember our partners in Lebanon. Pray for safety, courage and perseverance so that in war and despair, our partners will see the hope of the Lord and live out Christ’s love for all people through their actions.

The World & Our Neighbours
Let us pray for those who have been affected by war and are suffering. Many have lost loved ones, jobs and homes, may they find healing and comfort from the Lord. The displaced are facing an unknown future, may they find support in the Lord’s peace and guidance. In the face of war and internal division, may they feel the Lord’s protection. May people seek the Lord in these difficult times and find hope and peace in Him.

CEDAR Team & Needs
We will be holding a sharing and prayer meeting on ‘The 30th Anniversary of the Rwanda Genocide’ (Chinese only) on 5 December (Thu) this year to share the latest situation of our partners in Rwanda and their prayer needs and to pray together for the people there. Pray that the Lord will help our program office in preparation and move the participants to continue to walk together and witness the change that the Lord is bringing to the wounded community.

Partners & Ministries
We thank the Lord for using our project in Nepal, Project Hope, not only to make up for the villagers’ insufficiencies and empower them to become self-reliant and improve their food supply, diet types and income levels but also to raise their awareness of human trafficking and gender-based violence. Pray for the Lord’s guidance and direction as we continue to work in other villages so that more villagers can experience the joy of transformation and life together.

The World & Our Neighbours
The war between Israel and Lebanese Hezbollah is getting worse, and the death toll continues to rise. Fear and anxiety continue to spread among the population. More than 100,000 people have been displaced in almost a year of war. Let us pray for God’s mercy to shelter innocent civilians, heal the wounded, comfort the grieving, dissolve the hatred, and bring an end to the war.

CEDAR Team & Needs
CEDAR Barefoot Walk 2024 ‘Care for the Disaster-Stricken Poor’ will be held on 2 November (Saturday) this year, to raise funds for the ministry of helping the poor to withstand the impact of climate change. We pray for the Lord’s blessing on the preparations for the event so that it will help participants understand the lives of the poor who are threatened by climate change and support the ‘Care for the Disaster-Stricken Poor’ campaign, which supports the poor who are affected by climate injustice so that their lives can be improved and they can feel the love of the Lord.

Partners & Ministries
On 30 July 2024, multiple landslides occurred in the northern part of the Wayanad district of Kerala state in India. As of 9 August, the disaster had killed 427 people. This landslide was one of the worst-hit disasters in Kerala’s history. CEDAR launched the ‘Response to the Wayanad Landslide in India’ project. May God safeguard the relief efforts, show mercy to the victims, and help them overcome the current difficulties.

The World & Our Neighbours
Bangladesh has seen massive nationwide demonstrations against the government over the past two months. According to AFP, at least 455 people have been killed in clashes between police and civilians. Former Prime Minister Hasina, who has been controversial over human rights violations, stepped down on 5 August after the military made it clear that it would not participate in the suppression of the people. The military formed a provisional government led by Nobel Peace Prize winner Yunus. Bangladesh’s road to a democratically elected government remains full of challenges. Pray for the people of Bangladesh during these turbulent times, that they may unite in seeking social stability and respect for human rights. May the provisional government prioritise the welfare of the people.

CEDAR Team & Needs
CEDAR Barefoot Walk 2024 ‘Care for the Disaster-Stricken Poor’  will be held on 2 November (Saturday) this year, and registration is now open. We pray that God will guide the preparation process, move the public to participate and understand that in addition to reducing carbon emissions, the ministry of helping the poor withstand the impact of climate change is equally important.

In response to The World Day Against Trafficking in Person on 30 July, let us pray:

• May the Lord release those imprisoned, set the oppressed free, and may the victims of human trafficking see the light of God from the darkness
• May the comfort of the loving Lord come to all survivors and heal their wounded bodies, minds, and spirits, and restore their lives
• May the Almighty Lord protect those combating human trafficking and enable them to triumph in the battle

Partners & Ministries
The internal conflict in Kachin state in northern Myanmar intensified as it has spread throughout the entire state, with airstrikes bombing many areas, forcing over 100,000 civilians to flee their homes and become internally displaced persons in Kachin state. CEDAR has decided to allocate funds to provide emergency food and medical assistance to the refugees in Myanmar. We pray for the provision of the refugees’ needs and for them to find the strength to endure the prolonged internal conflict amidst the despair of their destroyed homes and uncertain future.

The World & Our Neighbours
On 3 April, Hualien City in Taiwan suffered an earthquake of 7.2 on the Richter Scale. Ongoing aftershocks followed, with one registered 6.3 of magnitude on 23 April. The earthquakes inflicted severe damage to numerous buildings and infrastructure and even caused casualties. We pray for God to comfort those families who have lost their loved ones and heal the injured. May God bless the local government and relevant organisations with wisdom and resources to rebuild the earthquake-stricken areas effectively, allowing people to rebuild their homes.

CEDAR Team & Needs
Please pray for us as we are currently formulating the yearly plan and budget for 2024-2025. In a world with unstable situations, severe poverty and limited resources, we pray for God’s guidance, blessing us with confidence and wisdom to develop appropriate strategies. May we also collaborate with churches to witness the Lord’s grace in this unsettling situation.

Partners & Ministries
Immanuel Foundation Thailand (IMF), CEDAR’s partner in Thailand, won this year’s Best Anti-Human Trafficking Organization Award from the Thai government. It is one of the seven award-winning organisations in the country. Thank God for using our partner to rescue victims of trafficking. Pray that the Lord will continue to help our partner exert their influence in society, rescue victims, help survivors recover, and raise public attention to the issue of human trafficking.

The World & Our Neighbours
Taiwan’s Legislative Yuan passed the third reading of amendments to the Law Governing the Legislature’s Power on 28 May. As early as 24 May, this issue triggered more than 100,000 Taiwanese people to protest and express their concerns. Pray that the Lord will keep everyone in Taiwan calm in the face of conflicts and be willing to listen to the voices of all parties. May God grant wisdom to the people of Taiwan and allow society to work hard to uphold justice.

CEDAR Team & Needs
Recently, two of our staff members have experienced health issues within their families, necessitating frequent hospital visits. We pray to the Lord to heal them and grant them good health. At the same time, we ask the Lord to give us peace and increase our staff’s strength and spirit to care for their families.

Partners & Ministries
The internal conflict in Kachin state in northern Myanmar intensified as it has spread throughout the entire state, with airstrikes bombing many areas, forcing over 100,000 civilians to flee their homes and become internally displaced persons in Kachin state. CEDAR has decided to allocate funds to provide emergency food and medical assistance to the refugees in Myanmar. We pray for the provision of the refugees’ needs and for them to find the strength to endure the prolonged internal conflict amidst the despair of their destroyed homes and uncertain future.

The World & Our Neighbours
On 3 April, Hualien City in Taiwan suffered an earthquake of 7.2 on the Richter Scale. Ongoing aftershocks followed, with one registered 6.3 of magnitude on 23 April. The earthquakes inflicted severe damage to numerous buildings and infrastructure and even caused casualties. We pray for God to comfort those families who have lost their loved ones and heal the injured. May God bless the local government and relevant organisations with wisdom and resources to rebuild the earthquake-stricken areas effectively, allowing people to rebuild their homes.

CEDAR Team & Needs
Please pray for us as we are currently formulating the yearly plan and budget for 2024-2025. In a world with unstable situations, severe poverty and limited resources, we pray for God’s guidance, blessing us with confidence and wisdom to develop appropriate strategies. May we also collaborate with churches to witness the Lord’s grace in this unsettling situation.

Partners & Ministries
Nepal is currently facing an intensification of religious hatred and a tense situation. Local Hindu extremism is on the verge of eruption, leading to social discrimination and the exclusion of non-Hindus. Our local partners, as a Christian community, face a more hostile environment when engaging in public ministry. Despite this, our partners persist in their efforts to protect the voices of other marginalised groups and promote their ministry. May the Lord grant them strength, wisdom, and courage to face these challenges and keep them safe.

The World & Our Neighbours
On 19 March, the World Meteorological Organisation released the ‘State of the Global Climate 2023’ report, confirming that 2023 was the hottest year on record. The report indicates that multiple records were again broken, including greenhouse gas levels, surface temperatures, ocean heat and acidification, sea-level rise, Antarctic sea ice, and glacier retreat. Additionally, extreme weather has exacerbated food insecurity. The number of people severely affected by global food insecurity has more than doubled, from 149 million before the COVID-19 pandemic to 333 million in 2023. We pray for God’s mercy upon those affected by poverty and call upon the conscience of affluent regions to recognise their responsibility in addressing climate issues.

CEDAR Team & Needs
We want to encourage brothers and sisters to cultivate a heart of creation care and to pay collective attention to climate justice issues. To this end, we will hold a ‘Caring for the Created World, Upholding Climate Justice’ ministry sharing and prayer meeting (Chinese only) on 26 April. We are grateful to have invited Dr. Amos Tai, Associate Professor of the Earth and Environmental Science Programme at the Chinese University of Hong Kong, and our General Secretary to share on the topic. We pray that the Lord will move us to see the needs of communities affected by climate change and to sign up for the prayer meeting. Additionally, please pray for recruiting co-workers in various departments so that the Lord may lead suitable brothers and sisters to join our team.