With at least 3000 dead and 400,000 displaced in the past 10 days since the M23 took Goma in Eastern DRC, missional agencies linked to the area gathered together on Zoom yesterday (Thursday 6th Feb) to listen and pray.
We heard that the M23 have already seized the port of Minova not far from Goma and while supplies are still coming and going to some extent, the price of food has escalated to two or three times what it was just two weeks ago.
4400 prisoners broke free of Goma prison during the initial attacks and the gathering listened in sorrow of the appalling atrocities which occurred there, and in many other places. https://www.theguardian.com/world/2025/feb/05/democratic-republic-congo-goma-women-raped-burned-death-prison-m23-rebels-rwanda
We heard that while the international community is saying the right things, no action has been taken regarding any of the parties involved, and the people of eastern Congo feel forgotten. With this as a backdrop and with the endorsement of Archbishop Ande and Bishop Martin, the Goma Call for Peace was launched yesterday.
Archbishop Ande addressed the meeting from John 21 describing how his people can easily feel unloved and doubtful because of unanswered prayer. He highlighted for us our call to responsibility and commitment to feed God’s sheep at such a time:
“ The third time he said to him, “Simon son of John, do you love me?”
Peter was hurt because Jesus asked him the third time, “Do you love me?” He said, “Lord, you know all things; you know that I love you.”
Jesus said, “Feed my sheep….”
We strongly urge you to interact with the Goma Call for Peace as your commitment to our brothers and sisters in eastern Congo: https://gomacallforpeace.org/ . You can also engage in support through our DRC emergency appeal:
Although the M23 are moving towards Bukavu, and it was thought that they would be there within a few days, their movement is at a halt for now.
While there is a semblance of calm in Goma city the banks and schools remain closed. Churches opened on Sunday but, in fear, many were not able to join their usual community of faith and safety. Bishop Martin told us that on Sunday, the first Sunday since Goma had fallen, all the church of EAC read together Psalm 121.
Goma Diocese has identified 216 vulnerable clergy and diocesan staff, many of whom have been displaced. The diocese is seeking to support these brothers and sisters financially as they have suffered the loss of everything.
Within the prayer groups there was time to hear more personal stories of some who had joined:
One of the groups prayed with Theophile Muyisa Katuka of Chief Financial officer UCBC in Beni, a partner of Congo Initiative. His uncle was killed in Goma last week. Some of the group committed to continue to pray for all his grieving family.
Another member of staff of UCBC prayed:
‘You have not put us here to exterminate people but to save the lost. Teach us to live with Judas Iscariot as you did, not in hypocrisy but teaching the way of love, even though in the end Judas was not able to change. Help us to speak up when we should.’
CMS Africa team members reported receiving news of burial after burial from colleagues still in eastern Congo.
Bishop Bahati of Bukavu Diocese messaged his request for prayer: “It is quiet for now in Bukavu, but everyone waits in fear. We need to gather supplies for displaced people, because they are many, many.”
As we came back together from breakout rooms, cognisant that we had joined together from diverse places in Africa, US and Europe, Karobia Njogu from CMS Africa used Psalm 121 to guide us in our closing prayer.
"Our prayer is that you make our feet strong, compelled by your love to come together to pray. Where does help come from for the people of DRC, if not from you? We ask ‘How long?’ But you see. Strengthen our hearts and the hands of those working for peace, and those who are the hands and feet of Jesus. As your word says ' As we love one another in unity we are a witness to the world'."
Here are some things you might consider in prayer:
The vulnerable and displaced, especially the 216 members of the diocesan team who are in such painful circumstances;
Archbishop Ande and other religious leaders as they meet next week in Uganda;
Bishop Martin as he uses his voice to advocate for the people in eastern Congo;
Tanzanian Peace talks slated for Saturday (8th Feb); and
That God would send a person of peace to leaders who have the power choose dialogue over violence.
Lord, today we pray for an end to the violence in DRC. We ask you to bring lasting peace, so that people may be able to return safely to their homes and rebuild their lives. We lift up all those who have suffered loss – of loved ones, belongings, homes and livelihoods. Please comfort them and provide for their needs. We pray for all those from our organisations and partner organisations who are living and working in the country. We ask for your protection, that they may be kept safe and able to continue their work.
Prayed by Bronwen Baxter, Tearfund
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