A Prayer and a Plea for Madagascar by Cynthia Holder Rich

A Prayer for Madagascar

God of Peace, Just Savior,

Help us to be servants of those hungry for peace, not division;

Strengthen our resolve to stand with those who clamor for justice;

Awaken us to crimes of violence and greed.

Lord, in your mercy, hear our prayer.

Jesus, in your eyes, children are uniquely precious in God’s Realm.

The children of Madagascar hang on by the slimmest thread.

Thousands upon thousands have died while we looked away.

Give us courage to speak out for the life of children in peril.

Lord, in your mercy, hear our prayer.

The countryside, which you have blessed with untold wonders and unique beauty,

Has held interest, mostly, for those who would rape this rich land and profit from its mineral bounty.

Give us the words to advocate for the protection of your creation.

Lord, in your mercy, hear our prayer.

Righteous God, leaders of the church in Madagascar

Those whom you have called and equipped for ministry

Are under persecution, silenced, and imprisoned.

Give us strength to stand with the persecuted church.

Lord, in your mercy, hear our prayer.

Loving God, as international leaders take their time

Calculating geopolitical strategies

And discerning who might get what from any plan put forth

The losses – of jobs, health, life and dignity – pile up

On the streets of Madagascar’s cities.

Let us find our voices to speak for those who have no voice.

Lord in your mercy, hear our prayer.

Forgive us our failures, our silence, our ignorance.

Give us strength to rise and bring your word of peace with justice.

Call us to make a difference for those who suffer.

Empower us to be agents of your resurrection and compassion in this world.

Lord in your mercy, hear our prayer.

URGENT: DANGER FOR MADAGASCAR

On March 31st, the Southern African Development Community (SADC) reviews a dangerous roadmap proposed to end Madagascar’s crisis brought about in 2009 by Andry Rajoelina’s coup d’état against democratically elected president Marc Ravalomanana.

The current SADC roadmap is dangerous for Madagascar because it rewards Andry Rajoelina with dictatorial powers and allows him to run for election even though he is constitutionally unqualified for the presidency according to the pre-coup constitution.  The current roadmap is a formula for continued conflict, not a return to democracy. If this roadmap is approved without serious modifications, it will set a hazardous precedent that coup d’états and repression are a successful way to gain and maintain power in Madagascar and elsewhere.

Since the initialing of the roadmap on March 9th, Andry Rajoelina has named incumbent Prime Minister Camille Vital as his “consensus” prime minister on March 16th in a serious violation of the roadmap.  The head of Ravalomanana’s political faction in Madagascar, Mamy Rakotoarivelo, was detained by Rajoelina’s secret police on March 15th.

It is urgent that the United States use its influence to encourage SADC to find a solution that limits Rajoelina’s power and allows for a consensual transition agreed upon by all major factions.

If the SADC roadmap is not significantly modified, the United States should not support it.

Thank you very much for caring about democracy and the people of Madagascar

Please send this message by phone, fax, e-mail, or facebook:

Sen. Christopher Coons (D-DE)   Chair, Subcommittee on African Affairs         tel(202) 224-5042   fax: (202) 228-3075

http://www.facebook.com/pages/Chris-Coons/7209432197; twitter: http://twitter.com/chriscoons

Senior political advisor: Christy Gleason email via trinity_hall@coons.senate.gov

Sen. Johnny Isakson (R-GA)   Ranking Minority, Subcommittee on African Affairs  Aide: Houston Ernst    Tel:  (202) 224-3643  Fax: (202) 228-0724 htp://www.facebook.com/isakson

Rep. Christopher Smith (R-NJ)   Chair, Subcommittee on Africa and Global Health (02) 225 –3765   Fax: 202-225-7768    Aide: Mark Kearney   202-226-7812, mark.kearney@mail.house.gov

Rep. Donald Payne (D-NJ)  Ranking Minority, Subcommittee on Africa and Global     Health      Aide: Algene Sajery   Tel:(202)-225-3436   Fax: (202)-225-4160, algene.sajery@mail.house.gov

Amb. Johnnie Carson   Assistant Secretary of State for African Affairs      202-647-4440

Mr. Karl Wycoff   Deputy Assistant Secretary of State for African Affairs  202-647-1819, wycoffke@state.govAide: Sybil Johnson                 202-647-1818

Ms. Marisa Cohrs   State Dept Country Officer for Madagascar       202-647-5922, cohrsmn@state.gov

White House comment line: (202) 456-1111 — pick one or two key points and share them on this voicemail line.

8 thoughts on “A Prayer and a Plea for Madagascar by Cynthia Holder Rich

  • March 22, 2011 at 12:52 pm
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    I sent a message to Donald Payne who happens to be my rep. He is a good man. the tragedy and travesty of Madagascar is heartbreaking. How come we are not stepping in to stop the madness there? or Sierra Leone? or any other dictator’s evil? oh, wait – if there be no oil, the US will not foil…

    Reply
    • March 23, 2011 at 10:11 am
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      One anxiety I have about all this is that they HAVE found oil off the coast, but of course, the riches therein will never benefit the people of Madagascar. Thanks for your action and prayers!

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  • March 23, 2011 at 2:49 am
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    Thank you so much, Cynthia! What a beautiful, moving prayer for Madagascar and a detailed call to advocacy on behalf of the Malagasy people! I have called several in D.C. this week and last: Rep. Payne’s office, Rep. Christopher Smith’s office, and Sen. Chris Coons’ office. I intend to call Amb. Johnnie Carson’s office and Amb. Karl Wycoff’s once again. I keep praying, also!

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    • March 23, 2011 at 10:12 am
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      Thanks for your action and prayers, Nancy. Great to have some experienced advocates along for the ride — greetings to you and Bill.

      Reply
  • March 23, 2011 at 4:18 am
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    Thanks Pastor Holder-Rich. I will share the information about Madagascar with our students at SCUPE. My prayers are with you.

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    • March 23, 2011 at 10:13 am
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      Thanks so much, Cynthia. It may be the first time your students have heard about the situation; thanks for spreading the word, and for your prayers.

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  • March 25, 2011 at 12:14 pm
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    Thanks so much for the beautiful prayer and your concern accompanied by action. I am eager to visit Madagascar this fall.

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  • March 25, 2011 at 7:38 pm
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    Thanks Deb — I wish I was going with you! You will love Madagascar; it is beautiful and the people are wonderful. Thanks for praying, too!

    Reply

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