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DECEMBER 2012
CRITICALLY URGENT PRAYER REQUEST + CHANGE OF EC PRAYER FORMAT

On December 14th a barbaric attack took place in Newtown, Connecticut that left 20 children and six teachers dead, mowed down for incomprehensible reasons. On that same day in a small village in central China, 22 primary school children were wounded by a man wielding a knife. In October a 15-year-old Pakistani girl named Malala Yousafzai was shot and severely wounded on her way to school because the Taliban objected to her efforts to promote education for girls. In southern Thailand there have been repeated attacks on schools by separatists who have left smoldering ruins in their wake. These are just a few examples from around the world of the regular threats to the safety and security of school children and educators. What should be a sanctuary for those seeking to improve their lives through the promise of education has time and time again become a stage for violence.

This month, on New Year's Eve, we ask our Earth Clinicprayer group members around the globe to please pray at 9 PM that all schools be kept safe from any form of attack and that those who desire an education be given a secure and nurturing environment in which to learn. Additionally, let our prayers sustain the courage and motivation of those who wish to teach and that they, too, be kept safe and find the means to inspire the students in their charge.

NOVEMBER 2012
FOR THE SAFETY OF ALL SCHOOL CHILDREN AND TEACHERS

In recent years the Gaza Strip region has managed to abide by a truce, albeit under often shaky terms. However, in the past few weeks there has been a worsening of conditions with each side claiming the other has precipitated the need for retaliatory rocket attacks. In any instance, there have already been civilian deaths on both sides, and people living in the region have become fearful of a return to outright war. What is further alarming is the potential for the fragile peaceful alliances among Middle Eastern countries to become undone as nations feel the need to take sides.

Beginning this Sunday night and continuing into next month, Earth Clinic asks its members around the globe to please direct their prayers to help bring an end to the violence in that region. May we ask that all parties immediately seek a peaceful resolution to the conflict and the area see the return of safety and security for all residents. For this prayer intention, we ask that you maintain a daily observance until our objective is achieved. To make our meditative efforts even more robust, we would like also to request a change in the group's habits, as follows.

Starting this Sunday night, November 18, we would like each prayer group member to offer your prayers and meditations at 9 PM in your own local time. In that way our shared meditation will follow the sun in a sustained ripple of intention constantly renewed around the globe as each time zone reaches 9 PM. If you cannot pray at 9 PM on any given day, consider prayingon the hour at another time that's convenient to you. Auckland members will be among the first to start theprayers while those located on the West Coast USA will follow with prayers 21 hours after that.

Finally, please consider taking notes of your prayersand sharing them with us along the way!

OCTOBER 2012 - EMERGENCY PRAYER
PRAYER REQUEST FOR HURRICANE VICTIMS

In the aftermath of Hurricane Sandy that wreaked havoc from the Caribbean to the Northeastern United States we ask our Earth Clinic prayer group members to please take a moment to send prayers for the victims and survivors of this devastating storm. Let us ask for solace for those who lost friends and family members and support for those who now must deal with the injured who remain. For those who lost homes, businesses, and cherished possessions let us pray that they find the means to rebuild their lives. Let us also use our prayers to sustain the many teams of emergency responders and keep them safe in their work as they act to clear debris, search for those who may be lost or stranded, and help restore utilities, services, safety and order to affected communities. Finally, let us not forget the countless animals and pets who have been impacted by the storm and ask that they be guided to shelter and kept safe from harm.

OCTOBER 2012
PRAYERS FOR GLOBAL FINANCIAL STABILITY

Over the past several years we have seen a rippling effect across the globe as country after country has been impacted by financial crisis. Some have had to introduce unpopular austerity measures to try and bring a return to financial stability, while others continue to build mounting levels of debt that threaten to topple those in charge of running governments. Often the first to be eliminated are programs that provide needed support and resources for those less fortunate, placing additional pressures on those least able to provide for themselves. As our Earth Clinic group joins in prayerthis month, let us ask that we see a return to moderate spending, financial responsibility, and greater financial stability for countries as well as citizens around the world.

SEPTEMBER 2012
WOMEN IN THE MIDDLE EAST

Amid the hopeful scenes of the Arab Spring -- the successful demonstrations in Tahrir Square and new democratic governments across Northern Africa -- there was the tragic realization that very little seemed to be changing for women in the Middle East. Local women and international reporters were being raped and forcibly touched right in Tahrir Square. Across the region child brides ten years old and younger are still common, genital mutilation is used to keep the all-threatening female libido in check, girls are splashed with acid to keep them out of school, and women who admit they have opinions are forced by police to undergo "virginity tests" (recommended: a stunning article from an Egyptian-American woman in Foreign Policy, "Why Do They Hate Us?"). The few gains Afghani women have won are paper thin and will probably be lost once coalition forces leave the country. Women in Pakistan are even killed by their own families for the affront of marrying for love.

This Sunday, let us pray together for all women of the Middle East--Muslim women under the hijab, Coptic Christians, Kurdish women. Let us pray that the girls and women of the Middle East win for themselves the human rights that are the birthright of every man, woman, and child. Let us entreat the Blessed Mother to heal and bestow an aura of strength and protection over Middle Eastern women in their homes and in the societies within which they should be an equal and uplifting part.

AUGUST 2012
RELIEF FROM THE U.S. DROUGHT

For the past several months a drought of historic proportions has been growing across the United States and now severely impacts areas in more than half of the states. The ramifications of such a long-standing drought extend far beyond the local farming communities. In the U.S., people are facing rising food prices that will strain the budgets of many who may already be struggling to feed their families. Just as important, this is likely to impact the ability of the U.S. to provide food donations to other countries in need. Each year the U.S. provides billions of dollars worth of aid to foreign countries, with donations of food staples such as grains, bread, produce, and meats contributing significantly to this total. The potential ripple effect is enormous, as those fighting back starvation across the globe will find the availability of critical food donations even more limited.

This month Earth Clinic asks its many members around the globe to summon the energy of their prayers to help bring an end to the drought and record-breaking temperatures that are parching farm lands across America. Let us ask through prayer that the skies be filled with cooling breezes and soft rains that gently rejuvenate the vitality of the land below. May the rivers, lakes and streams be filled once more to capacity and help to replenish those areas in need of water so that none will have to go hungry.

JUNE 27, 2012
PRAYERS TO END THE COLORADO WILDFIRES

Colorado wildfires that began earlier this month have continued to burn and last night one of the most serious fires encroaching on Colorado Springs doubled in size. With no relief in sight due to extremely high temperatures, low humidity, and strong winds forecast for the next several days the 600-plus firefighters on the scene are struggling to contain the blaze. Over 250 homes have been destroyed, and many more are being threatened with destruction from the flames. Tens of thousands of residents in various parts of Colorado have been forced to evacuate, leaving homes and businesses behind. Even the U.S. Air Force Academy campus in Colorado Springs has had a partial evacuation.

Earth Clinic urgently asks its prayer group members to send prayers that the numerous wildfires be brought under control and contained and that residents and wildlife in the path of the fires be spared. May those fighting the fires be sustained in their efforts and be protected from harm in their hazardous work. Let us ask that the winds fanning the blaze be stilled, and may temperatures fall and bring relief to those in the area. Through our collective prayers we can assist those in need in that region so that lives and homes may be saved. Thank you!

JUNE 2012
PRAYERS TO END FAMINE IN AFRICA

On Sunday, June 3rd, Earth Clinic asks its members around the globe to focus their prayers on the continent of Africa where it is estimated 300,000 children each year succumb to famine. In many regions of Africa people are struggling for basic subsistence as numerous areas have been hit by drought that has prevented needed crops from being grown. Combine those conditions with instability and insurgent uprisings in certain parts of Africa and it makes it very difficult for aid groups to reach those in need, compounding the problem.

Let us this month use our prayers to ask that fertile conditions be restored to the lands across the continent of Africa so that crops may be raised to help feed those who are hungry.

Additionally, let us pray that resources and assistance be found to help bring needed aid to those drought-stricken regions so that all people, but especially the youngest and most innocent victims of hunger, be nourished and cared-for to avoid what should be a needless death.

MAY 2012
PRAYERS TO END RELIGIOUS PERSECUTION IN IRAN

APRIL 2012
FOR TIBETAN FREEDOM FROM OPPRESSION

MARCH 2012
AN END TO THE VIOLENCE IN SYRIA
... Prayers Continued

FEBRUARY 2012
FOR AN END TO THE VIOLENCE IN SYRIA

Last month the United Nations gave up trying to track the mounting death toll in Syria caused by the government backlash against protesters because conditions had become too unstable for them to accurately monitor the situation. Up to that point, they estimated the past ten months of protests had resulted in over 5,400 deaths. Other humanitarian groups have reported claims of an alarming escalation in violence resulting in over 300 deaths just in the past week. As the situation becomes more desperate the United Nations is contemplating taking action but has yet to reach consensus on whether or how to intercede. In the meantime, entire towns and neighborhoods are under siege with innocent families having to flee as their homes are destroyed and residents are murdered. Regardless of the nature of the dispute between government supporters and protesters, violence is never an acceptable solution.

This month we ask our Earth Clinic members around the world to bring the light of their prayers to this region so that it may be filled with calm, order may be restored, and a peaceful resolution to the conflict may be swiftly found. Additionally, as the United Nations considers what to do, let us ask that those who may eventually intervene be protected and strengthened as they seek to bring peace and freedom to the Syrian nation.

JANUARY 2012
PRAYERS FOR SOMALIA

Years of drought and famine in Somalia reached a crisis level in 2011 when political tensions made it impossible for humanitarian aid groups to render assistance. The situation is becoming increasingly dire, yet there are ready offers of aid that continue to go unheeded. In the meantime, children are dying in record numbers, and another already poor country is becoming even more impoverished.

In our prayers at the start of this New Year, let us ask that relief be brought to the people of Somalia. Let us pray that the leaders of Somalia open their hearts and borders to those humanitarian groups willing to bring them needed food supplies and medical aid. Additionally, may they see an end to the drought that has severely diminished their ability to sustain themselves, and may the country be restored so that the people are healthy and thriving once again.