Pray for Sri Lanka

Benjamin Chan

April 2, 2022

Roshan Mendis, Director of the Asia Pacific Baptist Aid, alerts us the crisis situation of Sri Lanka, and ask us to pray for the country.

Dear Friends,

It is with great sadness and urgency am writing to request for your earnest prayers for Sri Lanka.

Police in Sri Lanka have arrested dozens of people and imposed an overnight curfew that was lifted at 5am this morning in the country’s capital after thousands of protesters gathered outside President Gotabaya Rajapaksa’s private residence in widespread anger and public dissent over a worsening economic crisis.

45 people have been arrested and 50 injured including one shot. The crisis, the worst since the country gained its independence, has caused massive discontent, with people unable to find gas for cooking, medicines, fuel and basic items of food such as milk powder because the country has run out of foreign currency reserves to pay for imported goods.

Every day, motorists line up at fuel pumps at the break of dawn and wait hours until they open. Some leave jerry cans and gas cylinders to hold their spots in snaking queues as they wait their turns in the shade.

Without enough dollars to pay for paper and ink, authorities indefinitely postponed student term tests for millions of students and some newspapers printing has been halted, including communication of utility bills verbally in some areas.

The shortages pushed food prices up 25-40 percent last month, with overall inflation at 17.5 percent – the fifth consecutive monthly record high. Sri Lanka is also facing 10 to 13 hour rolling electricity blackouts as  thermal generators have run out of oil and more hospitals suspended routine surgeries after running out of life-saving medicines, as the cash-strapped island’s economic crisis deepens. Banks are now warning customers that ATMs and other services will be interrupted as well as branch closures due to power supply restrictions.

The people’s protests are a result of growing tensions over the past few weeks as shortages and inflation rates have pushed people to the brink of desperation.

It is more than apparent that as a nation we have entered into what will be a long period of darkness and hardship. A Lebanese friend reading the news feared the fate of Lebanon befalling us.

Please pray :

         For the people of Sri Lanka who have been stretched beyond their capacity to cope in the past few weeks, who are tired, frustrated and bitter.

         For the current situation as it has become increasingly volatile with public unrest that has led to these people protests.

         For protection for those who are protesting silently with the right intentions – With more protests happening around the country in the next couple of days continue to pray for them. That the powers that be will hear these important voices of the common man and they need to be heard. Pray that it’s not used for political gain by those with malicious intentions.

         For the emergence of credible political leaders, as those who have wronged the people seem unable to bringing solutions. That the courage to make the hard decisions and policies needed to bring the economy to an even footing free of greater debt traps and burdens will be taken.

         For economic improvement and for resilience for Sri Lankan people , so that they may continue to push through the next few months/ years as the government seeks answers for these losses.

         For God to pour out His mercy on the people of this country and to bless Sri Lanka with the resources they need to help the country recover.

         For the Church in Sri Lanka to understand her role and rise above the situation to be a beacon of hope to the people who continue to look for hope in these dark times.

We as APBAid cry out to God trusting that He will deliver His people in Sri Lanka from the depths of darkness, for where can we go from His light?

Psalm 139 : 7- 12

Where can I go from your Spirit?

Where can I flee from your presence?

If I go up to the heavens, you are there;

if I make my bed in the depths, you are there.

If I rise on the wings of the dawn,

if I settle on the far side of the sea,

even there your hand will guide me,

your right hand will hold me fast.

If I say, “Surely the darkness will hide me

and the light become night around me,”

even the darkness will not be dark to you;

the night will shine like the day,

for darkness is as light to you.

Please keep us in your prayers.

In Him,

Roshan