Bearing the Love of God into the World

Given the humanitarian crisis in Sudan with 500 killed, 723 injured, 650 arrested, 54 raped, 1000 missing, and 118 bodies dumped in the Nile River and given that our Academy Podcast this month features calling from Elaine Heath to be “missional people sent out to bear the love of God into the world,” we’ve created and collected resources for you (and us) to use in personal prayer, communal worship, and reflective action.

When we choose to follow Jesus, we choose to stand with the least, the last, the lost, the tormented, the abused, the wartorn, the ravaged, the sick, the lonely, the marginalized, the forgotten, the confused, the saint, the sinner, the orphan. When we choose to follow Jesus, we choose to stand with all creatures created in the image of the God who loves love, the God who is love.

Here are some ways to follow this Jesus and stand with God’s loved ones today:

• PRAY. This prayer can be used in personal prayer, with your family, or with your small group as a way to center, breathe, and hold close all those affected by war, hatred, and the lust for power and domination.
• WORSHIP. Use this liturgy to bring awareness to the crisis in Sudan and to invite your community of faith into prayerful, active response.
• ACT. This article highlights ways you can actively respond to the crisis in Sudan.

Claire K. McKeever-Burgett is the Associate Director for The Academy for Spiritual Formation. 

This article originally appeared in the Academy Bulletin, a monthly newsletter containing updates, news, and special reflections for The Academy for Spiritual Formation participants, faculty, and leaders. Sign up for this and other newsletters from The Upper Room here.