OVER the last two weeks Christians across the country and worldwide have been taking part in the 'Thy Kingdom Come' 10 day prayer initiative led by the Archbishops of Canterbury and York.

Meanwhile, during the period on the run-up to the start of that event, the Manchester Arena bomb happened.

Before long the #prayformanchester hashtag was in use on social media and we were even more aware of the power of prayer.

Thy Kingdom Come we asked the Lord, so there is less crying, pain, anger, loss and suffering.

A unity was brought about through those prayers and the many more worldwide; people were brought together, with a common goal of peace and love for all in the name of Jesus.

Humanity stood tall ... a mass of beings coming together through a time of pain that seemed so surreal.

With the Mosamaria AIDS Ministry that I am involved with (visit www.mosamaria.co.za to find out more about it) we are trying to galvanise more support as the Ministry now finds itself at a point where more support is needed. But we believe prayer needs to come first as only God can bring change about through prayer and by us being willing and able to help in ways he directs us.

We need prayer for this God-given ministry to make it more known, to make it more financially stable and to keep it prominent in our hearts.

The children and their families, who are supported and loved by the orphan and vulnerable children project workers of Mosamaria AIDS Ministry, know that they are not alone in their suffering when it comes to all they are going through with their needs being met to address a lack of food, clothes, health and a decent education.

Prayer can come more freely now I hope because we have seen it work to make a difference to all - we just need to ask God and be ever thankful for his help.

As Thy Kingdom Come has demonstrated, things can and will be better if we embrace prayer.

So let us pray for all things good, for the Mosamaria AIDS Ministry, for the world and for ourselves.

Gloria Birdsall

Member of the Blackburn Diocese Mosamaria Trust Fund and Reader at St Peter’s and St David’s Church, Fleetwood