Our Church has AIDSAndy Freeman - 17 Oct 2011

Download part one of the 24-7 Pray HIV: Guide to Praying for HIV and AIDS now. (Part two available early November.) And commit to pray each day throughout November for HIV and AIDS related issues.

'Our Church has AIDS' was the slogan on their badges that greeted delegates at a Church Leaders conference in Mukono, Uganda in 2001.  The slogan had much to say.  Uganda, like many other African nations is blighted by the virus.  No-one attending the conference was likely to be untouched by it’s affects.

But roll back to 2001 and you find a global church struggling to come to terms with HIV-AIDS.  When first cases were identified in 1981, many connected the virus with same-sex relationships and declared a ‘godly plague’ - they argued this was judgement for sin.  It’s tough but true to realise the church has been responsible for much stigma and stereotyping over the years.

Delegates in Mukono were making their attempt to turn this tide, and to care. 

The ‘Human Immunodeficiency Virus’ (HIV) attacks the body’s immune system.  It destroys our defences.  People who have the virus are suceptible to all kinds of repeated infections.  Without treatment sufferers will eventually become chronically unwell, and are then diagnosed as having AIDS.

It’s estimated 33 million people are living with the HIV virus.  Every hour approximately 300 people die from HIV related illness.  Every hour 500 people are diagnosed.  Over half those newly diagnosed are women.  It’s estimated 2.5 million children have the virus. 

HIV is a very human problem.  It’s shaping our world.

Nearly all the major development agencies see HIV as a core issue.  You could argue that poverty is a key factor in the spread of the virus.  Low income could drive women into sex-work, increasing the likelyhood of infection.  A lack of education means information about the disease is hard to come by.  Not being able to eat well or have access to clean water increase the chances of contracting AIDS.  Lack of income to pay for necessary Anti-retroviral drugs (which are often not made available by Governments or drug companies) means many with HIV are not treated. Conflict makes poverty worse in a region, but also spreads HIV.  In many countries, rape is used as a weapon of war and led to an increased infection rate.  Poverty spreads HIV.  Some of the poorest areas of our world have the highest infection rates.

But HIV also creates poverty.  Mothers and fathers unable to work.  High cost of drugs if they are available at all.  Children out of education, looking after sick relatives or worse alone, orphaned and on the street.  It’s estimated as many as 16 million children lost one or both parents to AIDS in 2009.

It's time to take responsibility

Responsibility in a time of AIDS is vital, for many in our society refuse to take responsibility for the tragedy unfolding in our society" Catholic Theological Society of Southern Africa

In this coming month of November, 24-7 Prayer has AIDS. 

Over our ten+ year journey together there have been many times and many places when God has focused our attention on HIV/AIDS and asked us to pray.  In November, leading up to World AIDS Day on 1st December, we’d like to ask you to pray each day for the affects of this virus and for change.

• Would you download our Prayer Guide PDF and use it each day as a prompt to pray. (The first part (1-16 November) is available to download now.  The second will be published in early November.)
• At 12 noon each day, would you pray the Lord’s Prayer and ask Him for the wisdom for a cure, for healing for the sick, for mercy for the dying and offer your lives in the task of loving and helping.
• Would you consider getting your church involved in some way.  Organise a night of prayer and invite your church.  Highlight the issue in a church service.  Organise an event in your local community and invite the press.

If you want to find out more about the Virus, why not visit the websites of these organisations who are friends of 24-7 and have helped us address this issue.

Tearfund

World Vision

Christian Aid

HOPE HIV

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