It’s been a few weeks since our last update. We had been doing 1-2 a week there for a while so I thought I’d give you a break.
We have a special prayer need now for Brazil as a nation and I really ask your prayers on this one, not just today or tomorrow but that you put this request on your calendar for the next few months.
As you may or may not be aware, Brazil is going through a critical time of turmoil and potential social upheaval. Ongoing investigations into a huge bribery scandal have revealed that some of the largest construction and service companies in the country have been systematically paying off politicians, lobbyists and other special interest groups to the tune of literally tens of billions of dollars in graft and corruption money, after of course overcharging for building stadiums, power plants, seaports, offshore drilling rigs and on and on.
I’ll write more about this in a future post, but just know that this is a defining moment in the history of Brazil as a nation. I always heard over the years from so many Brazilians that any kind of public work that was done here from setting a park bench to building a highway or nuclear power plant, the politicians always had to be paid their share by the construction companies. Well, the truth is finally coming out.
Pray for Brazil
Investigations have revealed that the current government and it’s Worker’s Party were involved in a major part of this corruption and the investigation is drawing closer and closer to the highest levels of the government. This Sunday (Aug 16th) there will be major demonstrations throughout Brazil calling for the impeachment of President Dilma Rousseff. This is really big. The potential for a major turnaround for Brazil, similar to the results of the Mani Pulite (Clean Hands) investigations in Italy in the 1990’s, is real.
A lot of good could come from this, but we know the enemy will not waste any chance to wreak havoc. Please pray for peaceful demonstrations on Sunday but also for everyone in the country who still believes Brazil can be better, and who will no longer tolerate the corruption that has robbed everyone, especially the poor, of decent health care, education, and job opportunities, that all who believe in the future of Brazil and the need for change to get there, will have the courage and determination to make their voices heard.
As Paul wrote, I ask you to pray for Brazil: “I urge, then, first of all, that petitions, prayers, intercession and thanksgiving be made for all people— for kings and all those in authority, that we may live peaceful and quiet lives in all godliness and holiness. This is good, and pleases God our Savior, who wants all people to be saved and to come to a knowledge of the truth.” 1 Timothy 2:1-4
