Prayers in Kenya

From 26 to 30 November 2008, a meeting was held in Nairobi, which was attended by 7,000 young people from different parts of Kenya, other countries in Africa and other continents. More than 80 parishes from various churches in Nairobi hosted this meeting, a phase of the Taizé community's pilgrimage of trust on earth. Its purpose is to establish fraternal relations and overcome misconceptions about other people due to a lack of communication between peoples and difficult events of the past. Taizé has been present on the African continent for 55 years - these are small communities of brothers who share the lives of the poorest. For years, the brothers lived in Algeria, Cote d'Ivoire, Nigeria, Rwanda and Kenya. Now for 16 years the brothers have been in Senegal, in the well-known, mostly Muslim quarter of Dakar. Desmond Tutu, Honorary Anglican Archbishop of Cape Town, South Africa, writes: “Africa is a continent where the cross and the resurrection take on their deepest meaning. Building trust and reconciliation here is an everyday rea Prayers in Kenya lity ... We are all children of God, and in Christ there is no Rwandan, no Congolese, no Burundian, no Kenyan, no Nigerian, no South African: we are all one in Christ Jesus. I know that the Taizé community also carries this message and that it stands in solidarity with us as we strive to bring these words to life in South Africa, throughout the African continent and throughout the world, where there is still fear of the stranger, which should be turned into friendship, reconciliation and confidence." In Africa, trials do not destroy dignity, which is especially felt among the poorest. Life's difficulties do not obscure joy, seriousness does not interfere with dancing. There are many who refuse to despair. And often in front of everyone here are women who take on themselves, with ingenuity and perseverance, so many tasks in the family and in society. In the face of the strife that is shaking this continent, many people courageously continue to seek ways of reconciliation and peace. Christians are called to stand firm in hope: the bonds between those who are baptized into Christ are stronger than divisions. Some African Christians have given their lives for this conviction. “Letter from Kenya” written by Brother Alois for 2009 was published during the European Youth Meeting in Brussels at the end of December 2008. Everywhere in the world, societies and human behavior are changing rapidly. Against the background of growing unprecedented opportunities, instability and fear of the future are growing. [1] In order for technical and economic progress to go hand in hand with the growth of humanity, it is necessary to turn to a deeper meaning of existence. In the face of fatigue and loss that many people feel, the question arises about the source: how are we alive? Already several centuries before Christ, the prophet Isaiah pointed to this source when he wrote: "Those who hope in the Lord will be renewed in strength, they will run and will not get tired, they will go and will not get tired." [2] Today there are more people than ever before who do not find this source. The very name of God is surrounded by misunderstanding or completely forgotten. Perhaps the loss of zest for life is directly related to the loss of faith? How to cleanse this source from everything superficial? Only by listening to the presence of God. From here we can draw hope and joy. And then the source starts flowing again and our life takes on meaning. And we can already accept our existence: accept it as a gift, and in turn, hand it over to those who are entrusted to us. Even with little faith, a revolution occurs: we no longer live for ourselves. By opening the doors of our hearts to God, we prepare the way for Him to reach many other people. Yes, God is present in everyone, whether he is a believer or an unbeliever. On the very first pages, the Bible is incredibly poetical about the gift that God gives with his breath of life to every person. [3] While living on earth, Jesus revealed God's infinite love for every person. Giving Himself to the end, He sealed the "yes" of God, which dwells in the depths of human existence. [4] And after the resurrection of Christ, we can no longer fall into despair because of the state of affairs in our world or within ourselves. https://jiji.co.ke/36-prayers