The World Evangelical Alliance (WEA) which is serving more than 600 million evangelicals belonging to churches that are part of 143 national Evangelical Alliances in nine regions of the world is calling on churches around the globe to praying for Sri Lanka, a South Asian nation.
There are however, over two billion Christians in the world today represented by three world church bodies.
WEA is joining the National Christian Evangelical Alliance of Sri Lanka (NCEASL) in expressing concerns over the recent deterioration of the multi-faceted crisis in Sri Lanka.
NCEASL General Secretary and Chair of the Asia Evangelical Alliance, Godfrey Yogarajah, says ‘’we are deeply concerned about our country’s deteriorating economic and political situation. Our people are on the brink with food, fuel and essential medicines becoming increasingly scarce and unbearably expensive.
“Daily, protests are breaking out against the government. Just this week, a young person died, and several others were injured when police used live ammunition to crackdown on a protest.”
Adding, he said, “we ask the global church to pray that there would soon be some respite for our people who are experiencing a lot of hardship. Please also pray that there would be a peaceful resolution of the crisis through consensus, compromise and consultation with all parties concerned.”
WEA’s Secretary General, Bishop Dr Thomas Schirrmacher, said “we are saddened by the reports that are reaching us from Sri Lanka about not only the increasingly dire economic situation and the resulting suffering among the people, but also the increasing restriction of the freedom of expression by the government and now the violent crackdown.
“We also remember with pain the tragic Easter bombings just three years ago where numerous believers lost their lives or their loved ones, and the many who were wounded and continue to suffer the long-term consequences.
“We pray for and with our brothers and sisters in Sri Lanka as they once again seek to be a light in a dark moment in time. And we call on churches around the world to also express their solidarity in prayer for relief, for peace and healing in a nation that has seen much suffering in recent years.”
Launched in London in 1846, WEA unites evangelicals across denominations for prayer, evangelism, mission, theological education, religious freedom, human rights advocacy and engagement in a wide range of social issues.
It speaks with one voice to United Nations, governments and media in public or through behind-the-scenes diplomacy on issues of common concern to the Church.
