https://www.upi.com/Top_News/World-News/2019/03/29/Native-protests-affect-regions-of-Colombia-and-Peru/5071553872804/ File Photo by Mauricio Duenas/EPA |
Lord, we
pray about the current conflict in the Apurimac mining area of the Peruvian
highlands. With indigenous farmers blocking a road used by a copper mine
for 54 days now, tensions are high. The arrest of community leaders, charges of
extortion, and concerns about pollution have just added fuel to the fire of
confrontation. Lord, we pray for your peace to descend upon the region. We pray
for Peruvian governmental leaders to accept the offer of clergy members to help
mediate between the government and the indigenous population. We pray that
resolution can be found that will protect the farmers’ crops and allow the mine
to continue operating (unless there is a good reason it should not). We are
thankful for the 2007 United Nations declaration that protects the rights of
indigenous peoples to "enjoy and practice their cultures," as well as
"develop and strengthen their economies" and social and political
institutions. We pray for clarity in determining how that applies to the
current conflict. And, Heavenly Father, we pray for continual, long-term
progress in mending relations between indigenous and other groups within the
nation of Peru. In Jesus’ name we pray, amen.
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