Children at the border

The Children of Syria

Quick facts: 6.5 million Syrian children have been affected by a brutal, three-year conflict. 2.8 million children are no longer in school and more than 1 million are living as refugees in neighboring countries.

Prayer Requests:

Pray that the goal of immunizing millions of children following an outbreak of polio in one region of the country will be achieved.

Pray for the small population of Christians in Syria, that their faith will be strengthened through this trial.

Action Step: Educate yourself here and here.

 

The Children of the Central African Republic

Quick facts: More than 2.3 million children are suffering the consequences of the crisis rocking the country. On average, at least one child has been maimed or killed in clashes every day in the past six months.

Prayer Requests:

Pray for reconciliation between Muslims and Christians to come to this war-torn country.

Pray for the leadership of the orphan programs in the C.A.R. as they decide what to do for the future.

Pray for a bountiful harvest in the fields and hearts of our CAR family.

Action Step: Contribute to Encompass Worldpartners and to Water for Good (formerly ICDI) to help alleviate water and food shortage in the C.A.R.

 

The Children of Gaza

Quick facts:

Children make up more than half (56%) of Gaza’s population. Every other person in Gaza is a child.

According to the UNICEF, the overwhelming majority of people killed so far in the conflict are Palestinians, including 121 Gaza children under the age of 18 who make up one-third of the total civilian casualties.

Prayer Requests:

Pray for a quick resolution to the conflict between Israel and Hamas in Gaza.

Pray for healing in the hearts of children who have seen their friends and relatives killed in front of them.

Pray for an opportunity for the hope of the gospel to shine through hearts in despair right now.

Action Step: The Mennonite Central Committee is helping with the crisis in Gaza now. Contact them at 1-888-563-4676 or donate online .

 

The Children in the U.S. Border

Quick facts:

More than 52,000 unaccompanied youths have been caught along the Southwest border since October, almost double the previous year’s total.

Approximately 28% of the children detained this year are from Honduras, 24% from Guatemala, and 21% from El Salvador.

Prayer Requests:

Pray that communities will be more receptive to the idea of housing children in temporary shelters until a more permanent solution is found.

Pray for followers of Christ to rise up and lead with a compassionate heart by volunteering to help these children.

Pray for the staff at Home for Children in Mechanicsburg, PA, who are now preparing to host a group of immigrant children currently held at the United States border with Mexico.

Action Step:

Donate to the Southern Baptist Convention Disaster Relief or to KIND an organization that provides representation and support in legal proceedings for these children.

Prepared by Pastor Ivanildo C. Trindade. Use without permission.

July 24, 2014