International Mountain Day
December 11

Read:
Isaiah 52:7 or Moses 7:17

Explain:
Mountains cover one fourth of the earth's land surface. More than half of all the people on earth depend on mountains to provide the water they need for drinking, growing food, running industries, and making electricity. Around 12 percent of the world's population actually live in mountains. Mountain people are among the poorest and hungriest on earth. Their lives are made more difficult by environmental degradation, such as deforestation, and by armed conflict, which often occurs in mountainous areas. International Mountain Day calls attention to the need to protect mountain ecosystems and to work for peace and development in mountain regions.

Pray:

• Give thanks for the beauty of mountains and for the blessing of mountain water.
• Pray for mountain people who live in poverty or in the midst of armed conflict..
• Pray for peace in mountain regions and for wise stewardship of mountain ecosystems.