Archbishop Peter Jensen has asked churches to urgently pray for Sudan as it prepares for a referendum on January 9th which could split the country.

As part of a 2005 peace deal to bring to an end the long running Sudanese civil war, the population will vote on whether the South should become independent from the mainly Muslim north.

Several areas of the South are strongly Christian, and many Sudanese immigrants have joined Anglican and other churches in Sydney.

As well, the Sydney diocese has had strong links with ministry in Sudan through Anglican Aid.

In 2010, Anglican Aid helped train and equip 22 Clergy and Christian leaders from six dioceses in Southern Sudan.

The Sudanese president has promised to respect the outcome of the referendum, even if the South votes to break away, but the UN fears fighting could break out and hundreds of thousands of Sudanese may flee to neighbouring countries.

Some analysts say disputes over oil deposits in the South could follow any independence vote.

Others fear a wave of genocide.

Dr Jensen describes it as a crucial time for the country and for the Anglican (Episcopal) church in Sudan, under the leadership of Archbishop Daniel Deng Bul.

Archbishop Deng has been appointed to a panel of reconciliation which will hold talks with Sudanese rebel leaders.

“We must uphold Archibshop Deng in prayer” said Dr Jensen “and ask for God to grant wisdom to those in authority and justice and peace to this land.”

In a circular to churches just before Christmas, suggested prayer points from the World Evangelical Alliance asked God to “intervene for justice and righteousness, watching over the helpless and bringing the way of the wicked to ruin. Pray that God would interpose himself and his forces into this situation for the sake of the Church in Sudan, and for the sake of Sudan, a nation in desperate need of the Gospel.”

Photo credit: usaid.gov