A movement of over 3,000 churches will be uniting in prayer this weekend and a National Day of Prayer on Monday has been organised in Juba, the nation's capital.
The country has declared that official Independence Day celebrations will not go ahead this year due to ongoing conflict, a food crisis that has seen 50 per cent of the population dependent on food aid, 2 million displaced internally and a further 1.9 million flee the country.
In South Sudan, Tearfund is providing food to vulnerable households through vouchers and cash. It enables families to purchase staples, such as pulses and oil, at markets. Children who are malnourished are also being given a high energy food supplement as part of a programme to help them and their families to get healthy again. Despite the troubled times, families are also provided with seeds and tools to be able to continue farming in small vegetable gardens so that they have a food source in months to come.
Bishop Anthony Poggo, former Bishop of the Diocese of Kajo-Keji, said: "We pray that the people of South Sudan, the people of my homeland, who are so fully loved by God, unite.
"We pray that healing and restoration will come soon and that the South Sudanese find strength in their diversity and in the beautiful and resourceful country we call home. Be encouraged we are praying with you! Never give up!"
Father James Oyet of the South Sudanese Council of Churches, who organised the National Day of Prayer added: "In spite of all the thunderstorms of life, the food crisis, the economic crisis, we want to thank God. We thank God for life and celebrate the people of South Sudan. We thank God for Independence, but now we seek healing and reconciliation as the wounds are too big."
