Mission Moments with Pastor Philip & Deaconess Rachel Jaseph

View of the dam at Canelon Grande reservoir as drought conditions continue on March 13, 2023 in Canelones, Uruguay. [Photo/VCG]

Severe Drought in Uruguay
Will you Join the Jasephs in Prayer?

We are all privileged to be sons and daughters of the most high King, made new through the life-giving flood of Holy Baptism. Because of this gift, we have the opportunity to bring all of our needs, fears, hopes, and anxieties before the Creator of the universe, our heavenly Father through faith, in the blessed act of prayer.

Uruguay, and many other countries in South America, are experiencing the longest and most significant drought in the last 100 years. Uruguay has many natural resources, including large freshwater aquifers, but this current drought has stretched for three years, cost millions of dollars in losses and insurance, and is currently projected to affect the country until September. The Uruguayan government is working on short-term and long-term solutions, including an emergency dam project, but has been unprepared for this extreme and very unexpected situation. Many people are drinking bottled water and water use has been discouraged as we have been advised that the municipal area of Montevideo, the capital city where we live, has only 18 days of potable water reserves left at the current consumption rates.

This is a very surprising reality in Uruguay, a country with a very stable electrical grid and some of the only drinkable tap water in South America. It is increasing the cost of life in an already expensive country, and tensions grow more palpable. Would you please consider taking these petitions to the Lord in prayer in your personal devotions and lives? We greatly appreciate your partnership and interest in the Lord’s work in Uruguay, and prayer is an incredibly important and effective way of doing this.

Dear heavenly Father, You do all things well, and You make all things new, especially by the coming and work of Your blessed Son, our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. Grant that we, Your servants of the household of faith, may give a clear witness of the Gospel of Christ in season and out of season, in times of hardship and plenty. Please restore to South America, and especially to the country of Uruguay, fruitful and healthy climates, and the rains so badly needed to sustain Your creation. Please give wisdom to those in authority to make wise and effective decisions, and hope and comfort to those living in uncertainty and fear during this unexpected and difficult time. We ask too, that, as the rains return to these lands, the fruitful watering of Your Holy Spirit through the clear proclamation of Your Word may return to these lands and that many may come to the life-giving waters of baptism out of the desert of doubt and disbelief. We ask all of this through Jesus Christ, our Lord, who lives and reigns with You and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and forever. Amen.