Sometimes we are so far removed from a situation or find a situation so large that we feel helpless when it comes to knowing what to do. At a glance it's possible you might feel that way about the orphan crisis. Let me help change the way you look at this problem...
You don't have to like children or have children (or even like the children you have!) to care about orphans. Orphans are little people who eventually grow up to become big people. The way in which they are cared for as a child have a direct impact on the person they become. A recent estimate from a world leader in caring for children reports there are 163 million orphans in the world. This is a crisis like the world has never known. Imagine what 163 million adults who grew up as orphans will look like 15-20 years from now. The crisis continues. You must pray. God approves of this.
Not sure HOW to pray? Sometimes I don't either. The orphan crisis is monumental. God hears all your prayers. God hears your whispers. And when you don't know what to pray or even to whisper, God hears your heart. Be still with Him for just a moment and invite conversation and thoughts of the fatherless in. God will direct you. God honors the hearts of those who care.
Will that be you?
Our friends at Christian Alliance for Orphans (CAFO www.christianalliancefororphans.org) are hosting the 2nd annual National Orphan Sunday this November 7, 2010. You can be a part of that in countless ways. If you're in Tennessee, talk with me. If you're in another state, let me know and I can help put you in touch with the state coordinator in your area. Make this year matter for the orphan. It all starts with you.
Below are the daily prayer guides for this week's "40 Days of Prayer for Orphans" which leads up to Orphan Sunday. Email today's reflection to your friends or put it on your Facebook. Just get the word out there and let the opportunity wash over people who might see it. You never know how God will speak to the heart of someone who might read it.
Thanks for being an advocate. You matter to Sweet Sleep and to all the lives of those we serve.
Sweetly,
Jen
Monday, October 4, 2010
Today, ask the Lord to help your church family to live out Proverbs 31:8:“Speak up for those who cannot speak for themselves, for the rights of all who are destitute.”
Tuesday, October 5, 2010
Today, thank the Lord in advance for all that He is going to do to bring glory to
His name in your church and community. Thank Him for the care He is going to provide for orphans through your church.
Wednesday, October 6, 2010
Today, pray for the Lord to raise up workers for the harvest from your church and community. Ask Him to call Christians to go to the “fields of the fatherless” to experience the joy of caring for orphans as we are commanded in Isaiah 1:16–17 “Give up your wicked ways. Learn to do good. Seek justice. Help the oppressed. Defend the orphan. Fight for the rights of widows.”
Thursday, October 7, 2010
Today, pray that God would break the heart of your city’s pastors with the plight
of orphans. Ask that He would convict them to lead their churches to pray, go,
and love in Jesus’ name.
Friday, October 8, 2010
Today, ask the Father to set the lonely in families. Pray specifically for families in your community who may be in the process of adopting an orphan.
Ask for God’s provision for all of their needs: physical, emotional, and spiritual.
Saturday, October 9, 2010
Today, pray specifically for any orphans you may know by name. Pray for their health and safety. Pray for their shelter. Pray that they will be brought into loving families who will provide for their education.
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