09/07/2025
Today marks the 14th anniversary of the independence of South Sudan after many decades of war. On this occasion, the Secretary General of the Anglican Communion, the Rt Revd Anthony Poggo, shared a prayer he wrote for the original independence celebrations 14 years ago when he was bishop of Kajo-Keji in South Sudan:
🙏 Almighty God, we thank you for the new nation of South Sudan
🙏 We pray for its political leaders that they will be united and serve the people with all diligence and put the nation first. Give them your wisdom as they lead the people of South Sudan
🙏 We pray that religious leaders will guide and speak a prophetic message of hope, peace and reconciliation to the new nation of South Sudan
🙏 Purge the nation of all corrupt practices and instil to the people and leaders a fear of God and the culture of hard work
🙏 We pray for those who have taken up arms that they will agree to peace and resolve all grievances through peaceful means
🙏 We pray that South Sudan will have peace with all its neighbours
🙏 We pray this through Jesus our Lord, Amen
There have been many blessings over the last 14 years, but sadly South Sudan has now returned to a knife-edge of conflict. This is not the will of the people of South Sudan. We invite you to join us in praying this prayer afresh, in the hope that South Sudan's leaders will be remembered for their work of achieving independence and not further strife. We pray also for South Sudanese churches, that they will continue in peace making, truth-telling, care and hope, as many have done since before independence.
The Episcopal Church of South Sudan Anglican Communion