ORPHANOS
130 Million Orphans
Its a huge number. If you allow yourself to
grapple with it, you may become saddened, angry or numb. You may
find yourself wanting to do something but unsure of how you can
address a problem so overwhelming.
There's good news. Orphans have been on God's
heart since the beginning. Our Heavenly Father has not only
demonstrated His love for the fatherless, but He has also made
it clear that His people are to share in Hi concern as well.
For the third straight year, Orphanos, Family
Life, Focus on the Family, Shaohannah's Hope and others are
joining voices to share the good news that God has a plan for
the more than 130 million orphans living in our world... and His
plan is you.
Take a few minutes today and pray for these
little ones that God loves so dearly. Pray also that you will be
open to God's leading. Visit our website: orphanos.org and click
on the Cry of the Orphan logo. On that site is a
personalized list of resources and ways to help based on
your interest. Become a part of God's plan for an orphan today.
Be sure to tune in to a week of special
radio broadcasts on Focus on the Family and FamilyLife the week
of Nov 17-21, 2008.
Memphis Messiah
On December 12th, for the third year in a
row, Orphanos will be hosting the Memphis Messiah. MM08 is
a partnership with the Memphis Symphony Orchestra and Choir, the
Cannon Center for the Performing Arts, the Memphis City School
System, and the Catholic Jubilee School System.
Essentially, Orphanos enables around 5,400 students to attend a
performance of Handel's renowned work, Messiah.
There is no charge for the students. On December 13th
there will be a public performance with tickets sold on
Ticketmaster. This is a very unique concert event.
Please go to our website:
memphismessiah.org
for a detailed history of the event, how it ties in with
Handel's life, and how it serves the children at risk right here
in Orphanos' home town of Memphis.
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Pray for the hearts of the students who
will hear God's Holy Word set to music.
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Pray for the many logistics surrounding
transporting so many thousands of students.
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Pray that the Lord Jesus would be honored
in this effort.
PAKISTAN -
The Pakistan Sunday School Ministry have
reported that due to all the country is going through; incidents
of suicide bombings, increase in poverty, financial breakdown
and political instability, they are calling the children to pray
in 5 different cities through October and November.
We know that recently South West Pakistan was
hit by an earthquake. The earthquake has come at this unstable
time when the civilian government battle al-Qaida and Taliban
attacks as well as a looming financial crisis. Some local people
in remote villages have complained that aid has been slow in
reaching them, particularly protection from sub-zero night-time
temperatures. Health officials have warned of the spread of
deadly diseases among children.
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Let’s join our prayers with
the children to pray for this nation.
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Pray blessing upon the
children, that they would be led by the Holy Spirit to pray
prayers that move heaven to change earth.
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Pray for those in remote
villages hit by the earthquake, that they receive the right
sort of aid and compassionate response.
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Pray for protection from
further catastrophe in the form of cold and freezing
temperatures, disease and illness.
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Pray for wise governance and
Godly counsel at this time of instability.
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Pray that these hardships
would strengthen family units and cause people to draw
together and know the value of caring relationships.
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Ask that Father God would
provide both spiritual and physical ‘fathers and mothers’ for
the children of this country.
DEMOCRATIC REPUBLIC of CONGO –
Thousands of civilians have been fleeing from
Eastern Congo due to the confused clashes between warring
groups. News that some aid workers are suspending operations in
the immediate combat zone around Kiwanja and Rutshuru is not
good news for the many thousands of people displaced by the
conflict. The UN peacekeeping force in Congo, at 17,000 strong,
is the largest of it’s kind in the world but is thinly stretched
across a nation the size of Europe where several armed groups
operate. Please pray for the children of eastern Congo who
continue to be affected by violence that has displaced more than
200,000 people. More than 5 million people have died since 1998
because of war-related violence, hunger and disease.
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Pray for children and people
roaming the countryside seeking shelter, food, water and
medical care. Pray for their safety and provision. An
estimated 60,000 children have been displaced in the recent
fighting. Pray for those who have been separated from family
members and must fend for themselves.
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Pray for aid workers and
church members who are at great risk as they help the children
of this volatile area.
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Pray for the estimated
40,000 girls and women who are survivors of sexual and
gender-based violence in Congo.
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Pray for a peaceful
resolution between rebel groups and the Congolese government.
VIVA INDIA-
As well as the Cutting Edge conference
happening in India this week 10th-14th November, Viva India and
Love 146 are working together to organize the Certificate
Training Program for Aftercare givers (CTPA) happening Nov 17th
– 21st at the Catholic Health Association of India in
Secunderabad. This training sees the coming together of several
key organizations working with sexually exploited and trafficked
children; International Justice Mission, IMCares, Sahaara
Charitable Society, Oasis India, Nireekshana and Bal Vikas
Trust.
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Pray for the organizations
involved and the 15 participants who represent them.
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Pray for the facilitators,
Steven Christian, Dr Gundelina and team who will be presenting
the training. For health and safety in their travels.
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Pray that all participants
are better equipped to bring more effective care to abused
children as a result of this training.
CHRISTMAS PARTIES –
Every year Christmas Parties are held for
thousands of children at risk worldwide through Viva’s networks.
These parties provide not only food, fun, presents and love but
also connect children to people in local projects that will care
for them for years to come. Alfredo Mora, Viva’s Latin American
Director says, ‘the majority of children who come to these
parties remain involved with us. In this way we joke and say
that this party lasts a lifetime.’
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Pray that Viva’s target of
giving 40,000 children a Christmas party and a present will be
reached this year and for the planning and organization going
on in the networks.
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Pray that finances and
support comes in to provide memorable parties for the children
and that every child is able to receive a special present.
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Pray for the fundraising
initiative ‘Our party, their Christmas’ which is being run in
the UK, that many people will hear of the opportunity to
support the Christmas Parties and get involved in fundraising
for them.
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Pray specifically for the
Vijaya Children's Welfare Network and the 14 different
programs planned for Christmas parties from 6th-28th
December-2008 in India.
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Pray for the CRANE and
CaRNaC networks as they submit proposals and meet with
management of various companies to try and secure items for
the parties in December. For favor and blessing.
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Most of all, please pray
that the children will really encounter the love and presence
of Jesus this Christmas and that this would last for eternity!