In each of the gospel accounts of the feeding of the multitudes, Jesus takes the five loaves and two fishes and pauses to give thanks before performing the miracle. As this New Year gets underway, let us also begin by pausing and celebrating God’s goodness and provision.
Sunday 9 January
We give thanks today for the history of CSW, for our Founder President Mervyn Thomas, and for all the incredible people who have served in, partnered with and assisted the organisation during our 42-year journey.
Monday 10 January
Today we remember all those whose freedom CSW has campaigned for over the years, including Professor Tarfa and Leah Sharibu in Nigeria, Pastor Nadarkhani in Iran, and Meriam Ibrahim in Sudan. Give thanks for those already released, and for the future freedom of those still held prisoner.
Tuesday 11 January
CSW is far more than the staff and volunteers in offices around the world; this growing movement for freedom and justice includes each of our supporters and donors. Praise God today for all those – like you – who are praying, campaigning and giving to support CSW.
Wednesday 12 January
Please remember the staff at CSW in your prayers, and give thanks especially for our growing team in the United States and Nigeria, as well as our colleagues in Latin America and Asia.
Thursday 13 January
We are extremely grateful to God, and to you, for every financial gift made to CSW. Without the sacrificial giving of our supporters, we would not survive. Join us in celebrating each and every donation made, and giving thanks to the God who always provides for our needs.
Friday 14 January
Thank God today for His blessing over CSW, that throughout our history we have been protected and kept safe miraculously by His grace. In the words of that wonderful hymn: ‘Grace has brought us safe thus far, and grace will lead us home.’
Saturday 15 January
To end the week, thank the Lord for being our faithful companion, and as we progress further into this New Year, let us follow the advice in this well-known poem by Minnie Haskins by asking Him to continue walking with us throughout 2022:
And I said to the man who stood at the gate of the year:
"Give me a light that I may tread safely into the unknown."
And he replied: "Go out into the darkness and put your hand into the Hand of God.
That shall be to you better than light and safer than a known way."