Pax Christi International Newsletter

Click here to read the February 2013 issue of the Pax Christi International newsletter. 

40 Days of Prayer: Day 31

No one would deny that New Orleans is trashed the morning after a big party.  Pray that those who wake up today with the stench and filth in their skin, hair and hearts would be like the prodigal son described in Luke 15 who "came to himself" and decided, "I will arise and go to my father, and I will say to him, 'Father, I have sinned against heaven and before you.'"

Pray that this new day would be a time of celebration as men and women return to God, who rejoices saying, "For this son of mine was dead, and is alive again; he was lost, and is found" (Luke 15:24).

Go to www.free-nola.org for more information.

Update: New Orleans Human Trafficking Efforts

We have received a preliminary report about the efforts of volunteers in New Orleans to raise awareness of human trafficking in the hotel industry.  Of the 223 hotels notified, 97 agreed to receive informational and resource materials.  Some even agreed to distribute the information at staff meetings.  All 97 packets of information were delivered by Monday, January 28.   When the list of the 97 hotels is made available, it will be posted here.  Congratulations to all who were involved in these efforts.

40 Days of Prayer: Super Bowl Sunday (Day 30)

Today, let's rejoice in the house of the Lord, and then enjoy the game.  Our God is a good God, and we can praise his name together.

"Praise the Lord!  Sing to the Lord a new song.  Sing his praises in the assembly of the faithful.  O Israel, rejoice in your maker.  O people of Jerusalem, exult in your king.  Praise God's name with dancing, accompanied by tambourine and harp.  For the Lord delights in his people; he crowns the humble with victory.  Let the faithful rejoice that he honors them.  Let them sing for joy as they lie on their beds.  Let the praises of God be in their mouths, and a sharp sword in their hands. . ." (Psalm 149:1-6).

Call-In Day to Prevent Gun Violence

There will be an inter-faith call-in day to prevent gun violence on Monday, February 4.  Click here to visit the "Faiths Calling" website to learn more and to participate.

So often after tragedies, such as in Newtown, CT, we wonder what we can do.  This is one potential action.

40 Days of Prayer: Day 29

"The lowly he sets on high, and those who mourn are lifted to safety.  He thwarts the plans of the crafty, so that their hands achieve no success.  He catches the wise in their craftiness, and the schemes of the wily are swept away" (Job 5:11-13).

Pray that God destroy the schemes of the wicked by intervening in scheduled parties which plan to utilize these captives for pleasures of the wicked.  Pray that many captives would be lifted to safety, and that traffickers would be caught in their craftiness.  Pray that entire infrastructures of the big business of trafficking would be swept away by the hand of God.

Go to www.free-nola.org for more information.

40 Days of Prayer: Day 28

The Messiah came to earth at the perfect time.  A study of history shows us that everything was in place for the rapid spread of the good news.  The Roman road system and huge army protecting those roads, as well as the language of Greek spoken almost throughout the world helped facilitate the gospel's transport. 

Sadly, in the same way, the ease of travel and communication in our generation facilitates the rapid transport of human beings and the trafficking of children from one place to another.  Pray that the I-10 corridor of trafficking would be shut down as would websites that sell human beings.  Pray that traffickers would not get their "merchandise" to NOLA.

Go to www.free-nola.org for more information.