Tearfund works with over 400 partners around the world, supporting local initiatives that respond to the unique needs of local communities. From food security to water and sanitation, AIDS prevention and treatment to disaster relief, our partners offer the opportunity for UK supporters to stand alongside those trapped in poverty.
But the Global poverty prayer week offered a different way for partner and supporter to unite. With over 20,000 people praying around the world the week’s activities were a chance for prayer, reflection and inspiration.
Members of the River of Life project in Malawi who work with vulnerable communities in the areas of food security, HIV and AIDS and also Disaster Risk Reduction, made sure that news of the prayer week spread throughout their local church.
The result was something of a shock.
Hearing about the prayers of Tearfund supporters moved the church’s members to more prayer.
As one pastor said, "Looking at what is happening, we can’t just sit back, but let’s pray and even fast during this prayer week. We expect more testimonies of what God does."
As others joined in with the prayer and fasting it was clear to all involved that God was at work. Though the results may not be immediately visible, the feeling from Malawi – just as it is in many other communities where Tearfund partners are based – is that there are yet more good results to come out of the week.
There’s a phrase in use at the moment that we at Tearfund believe in wholeheartedly: the local church is the hope of the world. For us and our ten-year vision - to see 50 million people released from poverty through a network of 100,000 local churches - stories like this from Malawi’s River of Life project underlines just how great is the potential of local churches – both at home and abroad.