Prayer for World AIDS Day

December 1 is World AIDS Day. On that day and on the Sundays nearest it, churches around the world will be praying in response to the AIDS pandemic. Will your church join in?

For many churches in South Africa, where our link diocese of Kimberley and Kuruman is located, prayer and action on AIDS are a regular feature of church life. Responding to AIDS is ‘part of the territory of being an Anglican in South Africa,’ Nick Moloney, diocesan link officer, comments. No parish is unaffected; no person is untouched. Here, too, while AIDS is less visible and less prevalent than it is in some countries, many among us are living with, or affected by HIV and AIDS, and need the prayers, love and support of our churches.

If you would like to join in, the prayer below comes from the Diakonia Council of Churches, based in Durban, South Africa (www.diakonia.org.za) who have kindly given permission for its reproduction.

Dear God, we ask you to walk with us in our HIV and AIDS filled world.

We pray expecting Your presence among us!

Be with all who live with the effects of this disease.

Be with those who wait to die because they have no access to medication. Be with children who received HIV as a legacy from their parents. Be with orphans and families who have lost loved ones. Be with countries who have millions of citizens with HIV/AIDS. Be with all who are
stigmatised and ignored because they have HIV or AIDS. Be with politicians and corporate executives who control access to affordable medications. Be with researchers and scientists who work to find a cure.

Be with healthcare workers and caregivers who comfort and encourage. Be with all who have lost hope because of HIV and AIDS.

Lord, we hear the angel's song of peace! Fill the hearts of people around the world with good will so that together we can work for justice and healing for all who suffer from HIV and AIDS. Amen.