ANGOLA
The issue
of children being accused of child sorcery and witchcraft extends around the
world and recent news from Angola highlights the seriousness of this issue in
Africa. In one case last year, 40 children, some just babies, were rescued from
a "church" in the capital Luanda after being held for 15 days in which they were
starved, burned and had perfume rubbed in their eyes, state media said. The
director of the National Institute of religious affairs admits that they are
daily confronted with information relating to children accused of being witches
and being abused by adults.
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As the media are becoming
more and more aware of this issue please pray that there would be righteous
and Godly exposure, leading to issues being dealt with thoroughly, with
discretion and wisdom.
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Pray for those who are at
the forefront of highlighting the abuse. That they would be protected and have
daily insight as things of darkness come into the light.
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Pray that the true church
of Jesus would be bold to declare the purity and glory of the Father’s love
and model a compassion to these small one’s who have been so damaged by
physical, mental and spiritual abuse.
BANGLADESH
At the
beginning of March the UN news centre reported that the financial crisis will,
unsurprisingly, deepen extreme poverty and increase child mortality. Reports
indicated that the Millennium Development Goals will be impacted with the
prospect of an increase of between 200,000 – 400,000 in infant mortality and
that child malnutrition would be one of the main drivers of higher death rates.
Today the UN headlines indicate that 2 million children are wasting in
Bangladesh, suffering from acute malnutrition. Nearly 60 per cent of the
households surveyed said they had insufficient food over the last 12 months with
two thirds of family income spent on food. Malnutrition, which can directly
cause death, affects child development and increases the risk of women dying
during pregnancy and childbirth, “In fact, it impacts on the society at large,
affecting school performance, healthcare costs and productivity’ says a UN
representative.
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Pray that the Bangladeshi
government is able to prioritise the issue of malnutrition amongst the
youngest and most vulnerable and begin to see a turn around on predicted
outcomes.
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Pray that there is good
will to continue aiming towards the Millennium Development Goals even in the
light of the worsening statistics.
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Pray that there will be a
raising up of righteous leaders who seek the face of God for this Nation.
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Pray for the protection of
families, that Father God will cause there to be a voice of influence raised
on their behalf.
CHALLENGES
We praise
God for all the projects and agencies who are working faithfully on behalf of
children in crisis in often worsening situations. Many ministries are having to
re think interventions and strategy in the light of financial challenges. There
is opportunity to call on our God and Father to do immeasurably more than we
could ask or think and we want to join with them in calling on heaven for divine
strategies and wisdom in the days we live that Jesus would be glorified.
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Pray that there will be an
increase in people with a heart to pray and act on behalf of this generation.
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Pray for Godly, wise and
faithful leadership of ministries and initiatives which honour our Father and
give Him praise in the earth.
WORLD WEEKEND of PRAYER for children at risk 6-7th June 2009
A
reminder that the theme this year is based on Jesus’ declaration in John 10:10,
‘The thief comes only to steal and kill and destroy; I have come that they may
have life, and have it to the full.’ As we look around our world we observe much
corruption and destruction impacting children’s lives. Please consider joining
us once again and uniting with millions from around the world in agreement over
this weekend; that Jesus and the Father’s incredible love would be made known to
this generation.
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Pray that more people than
ever would join in heartfelt prayer over this weekend.
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Pray that the reality of
John 10:10 would be made known to the children as they learn to trust in Jesus
and develop in faith and love. Pray that this would be a generation who know
the good news of the gospel and model a powerful walk of faith to impact
communities.
SCRIPTURAL ENCOURAGEMENTS
Psalm Ch
10 – v 16 -18
The Lord
is King forever and ever; The nations have perished out of His land. Lord You
have heard the desire of the humble; You will prepare their heart, To do justice
to the fatherless and the oppressed, That the man of the earth may oppress no
more.
Thank you for praying.
