Prayer Hub

Sri Lanka - Silent Graves: A Cry for Justice and Truth

In a small northern village in Sri Lanka, the dirt tells a story. One that families have carried in silence for decades. Chemmani, once just a quiet Tamil village near Jaffna, is now known for something darker: mass graves. Hidden beneath the soil may lie hundreds of victims - ethnic Tamils believed to have been killed or disappeared during the civil war.

This June, the UN’s top human rights official, Volker Türk, visited the Chemmani grave site, where excavations recently unearthed 19 skeletons, including children. For people like 68-year-old Manuel Jeyachandra, whose son was taken by military personnel in 2008 and never seen again, this moment brought a flicker of fragile hope.

Jeyachandra is one of thousands of Tamil parents still waiting to know what happened to their missing loved ones. Since the war’s end in 2009, over 21,000 formal cases of missing persons have been submitted to Sri Lanka’s Office on Missing Persons. Yet justice has been painfully slow. At least 384 parents have died without answers.

Many fear the government lacks the will or the courage to face its past. UN officials and human rights groups are calling for independent, international investigations and transparent excavations carried out to global forensic standards. Without truth, they warn, there can be no closure. And without closure, there can be no true peace.

The Tamil community, once silenced, is raising its voice again. Protests, vigils, and testimonies are emerging, led not only by elders, but by a new generation. Youth groups are stepping up, organizing exhibitions and public storytelling to preserve the memory of the disappeared and demand accountability.

For believers, this moment invites intercession. Scripture teaches that every hidden thing will one day be brought into the light (Luke 8:17). Justice delayed may not be justice denied, if the Church will weep with the grieving and pray for truth to break through the stone walls of impunity.

We pray for the God who sees, even in the soil, to raise up voices of righteousness, heal the deep wounds of war, and bring restoration to the land and people of Sri Lanka.

Prayer Pointers

Pray: for grieving families to find answers, and for the truth about the disappeared to be revealed with clarity and compassion.
Pray: to stir the Sri Lankan government to act justly and transparently, resisting cover-up and committing to full accountability.
Pray: for the Church in Sri Lanka to be a voice of healing, advocacy, and hope amid grief, silence, and suspicion.

Prayer – Praying for the people of Sri Lanka

Lord, shine Your light on every buried truth. Comfort grieving families who still wait. Let justice rise from the dust and move leaders to act with courage. Heal Sri Lanka’s wounds with truth, mercy, and the power of resurrection hope. Amen.

“For nothing is hidden that will not be made manifest, nor is anything secret that will not be known and come to light.” Luke 8:17 (ESV)

More: https://www.ucanews.com/news/unearthing-the-truth-buried-in-sri-lankas-mass-grave-sites/109475

Australia Eyes EU Defence Pact

Australia is entering formal talks to join a new defence and security agreement with the European Union, signalling a significant shift in its international posture amid a worsening global security environment. Prime Minister Anthony Albanese is set to meet with EU Commission President Ursula von der Leyen and European Council President António Costa during the G7 summit in Canada to explore the proposed partnership.

The potential agreement would align Australia with other EU security partners like Japan, South Korea, and the UK, covering cooperation in military exercises, counter-terrorism, cybersecurity, defence industries, and critical technologies. The talks follow recent dialogue in Singapore and Rome, where the proposal was first floated at the inauguration of Pope Leo XIV.

Though initially cautious, the Australian government appears increasingly open to deepening military ties with Europe, especially under pressure from President Trump for allies to boost defence spending. NATO Secretary General Mark Rutte recently warned that nations failing to invest adequately should “learn to speak Russian,” underscoring the West’s growing alarm over Russia’s military posture.

Australia’s defence and foreign ministers, Richard Marles and Penny Wong, are tasked with advancing the agreement. EU Ambassador to Australia, Gabriele Visentin, confirmed progress, noting shared democratic values and strategic interests between the EU and Australia.

Albanese also met Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney to discuss joint military technologies such as over-the-horizon radar and Canada’s potential entry into AUKUS Pillar II, which focuses on emerging defence tech including AI, hypersonics, and quantum computing.

While the Israel–Iran conflict casts a shadow over the G7 meetings, Albanese continues bilateral discussions with leaders from Japan, South Korea, France, and Germany, as well as a crucial meeting with President Trump. The Australian leader is also expected to request tariff exemptions and reaffirm commitments under the US–UK–Australia nuclear submarine pact.

Prayer Pointers:

Pray: Australia’s leaders to act with discernment as they forge new security alliances in a volatile global climate.
Pray: for God to restrain escalation and use these diplomatic efforts to protect lives and promote peace among the nations.
Pray: for the Church to stay awake, courageous and a clear voice of hope and holiness in an age of militarised uncertainty.

Prayer for Australia

Lord, in a world arming for conflict, we ask for wisdom over war, peace over pride. Guide Australia’s leaders in truth. Restrain escalation. Raise up Your Church as peacemakers in the storm, anchored in Your unshakable kingdom. In Jesus’ name, amen.

“Some trust in chariots and some in horses, but we trust in the name of the Lord our God.” Psalm 20:7

More: https://www.theguardian.com/australia-news/2025/jun/16/australia-to-hold-talks-aimed-at-entering-defence-pact-with-eu

South Africa: Severe Weather Prompts National Disaster

This declaration, announced by Elias Sithole of the National Disaster Management Centre, enables the national government to mobilize resources and coordinate relief efforts across provincial lines. Under the Disaster Management Act, such a classification is used when a crisis exceeds the capacity of provincial response mechanisms and requires national intervention.

Since June 9, communities across the country have faced worsening weather patterns, highlighting the limitations of existing contingency plans. The national designation allows the activation of the SANDF, SAPS, and other national bodies, enabling a unified, more robust emergency response. Government departments and agencies will now be tasked with coordinating relief, rehabilitation, and long-term recovery efforts.

KwaZulu-Natal had already been operating under a provincial disaster classification earlier this year due to flooding, but this broader national declaration now incorporates multiple affected regions. According to the government, the focus will be on restoring services, rebuilding damaged infrastructure, and supporting displaced or affected citizens. Updates and progress will be monitored and reported regularly.

The disaster classification will remain in effect until the situation no longer meets the criteria or is officially revoked. Citizens, churches, and aid groups are being encouraged to participate in relief efforts and prayer.

Prayer Pointers:

Pray: protection and strength for families displaced or grieving due to loss, and for quick recovery of essential infrastructure.
Pray: for God to guide leaders coordinating disaster relief to act with clarity, compassion, and urgency, leaving no community overlooked.
Pray: for long-term resilience against climate-related disasters and for wisdom to build systems that protect the vulnerable.

Prayer: Praying for the grieving, displaced and leaders Lord, we lift South Africa to You. Bring comfort to the grieving, strength to the responders, and shelter to the displaced. Guide leaders with clarity and compassion. May Your mercy flow through every floodplain and heart. Restore what the storms have broken.

“God is our refuge and strength, a very present help in trouble.” — Psalm 46:1

More: https://businesstech.co.za/news/government/828522/national-state-of-disaster-declared-in-south-africa/

Kenya: Crackdown Turns Deadly

At least 31 people have been killed and more than 100 wounded following nationwide anti-government protests in Kenya, according to the Kenya National Commission on Human Rights (KNCHR). The demonstrations, held on “Saba Saba Day” (July 7), marked the anniversary of Kenya’s 1990 uprising for multiparty democracy and were driven by ongoing public outrage over proposed tax hikes, police brutality, and perceived government corruption.

Over 532 people have been arrested, with reports of two forced disappearances. The violence, which erupted in major cities including Nairobi and Eldoret, saw armed gangs allegedly working alongside masked police officers in unmarked vehicles. Protesters clashed with security forces in 20 of Kenya’s 47 counties, and widespread destruction to property including supermarkets, has further heightened tensions.

President William Ruto’s response has drawn strong criticism, especially after publicly stating that police should shoot looters in the legs rather than kill them - a remark seen by many as an endorsement of violence. Civil society groups, including the Law Society of Kenya and the Police Reforms Working Group, condemned the heavy-handed tactics used by security forces, which they claim defied court orders prohibiting such excessive deployment.

The United Nations Office for Human Rights (OHCHR) voiced deep concern over the killings, urging Kenyan authorities to ensure accountability and respect for international human rights obligations. Meanwhile, the Kenya National Cohesion and Integration Commission, a government body, warned politicians not to stoke ethnic tensions and denounced the police for their use of excessive force.

These protests form part of a broader wave of unrest that has gripped Kenya since June 2024, primarily led by youth demanding economic justice, political reform, and an end to state-sanctioned violence. More than 100 people have now been killed since the protests began.

Families of the victims and many Kenyan citizens continue to call for international oversight, police accountability, and structural reform, especially as the official response increasingly risks further polarising the nation.

Prayer Pointers:

Pray: for those grieving to receive comfort, truth, and justice for loved ones killed or disappeared in the crackdown.

Pray: ask God to raise righteous leaders in Kenya who value peace, equity, and the dignity of every life.

Pray: and intercede for protection and moral courage for peaceful protesters, journalists, and human rights defenders across Kenya.

Prayer for Peace and Justice in Kenya

Lord, we lift up Kenya in this hour of grief. Comfort families, protect the innocent, and raise up leaders of justice. Let truth prevail, violence cease, and Your peace reign over every street and soul in this broken land. Amen.

“Open your mouth, judge righteously, defend the rights of the poor and needy.” Proverbs 31:9

For more: https://www.aljazeera.com/news/2025/7/9/at-least-31-dead-532-arrested-in-kenyas-antigovernment-protests