After centuries of subjugation,
famine, war, poverty, disease and neglect, Africa still stands bloodied but
unbowed.  In time the world will pause enough to ask: “Africa, teach us how to pray:”

Help us to recognize Mungu yupo — God is here —

as you do, in every moment of our daily lives:

in the search for food,

in the gathering of grain

in the drawing of water

in the sharing of a meal

in welcoming a guest

in passing on to our children

the wisdom

of our mothers

and the ways

of our fathers

and the counsel

of our ancestors.

O Africa!

God somehow forgot to exile you from Eden.

Maybe that’s why, amid the sufferings of a thousand crosses
and in valleys

drowned in a flood of tears, you continue to smile

and sing.

And believe.

We missionaries thought

we came to you to share

our faith

not knowing that

all the while

you were making us

your own

and capturing our hearts

by your baptism

of desire.

You who walk the way of the cross

with every step and who know too well

the truth of our ultimate crucifixion,

announce to us today

the good news of salvation:

from the tomb of our good intentions

there arises new
hope.