Praying for Eswatini

"And let us not grow weary of doing good, for in due season we will reap, if we do not give up." - Galations 6:9 

Today, we invite you to join us in praying for Eswatini and for the local Hands at Work team that serves the four communities there. 

Pray for our children who haven’t been able to attend school due to the COVID-19 pandemic. Pray that God will make a way for schools to start again in 2021. 

With early marriage and teenage pregnancy common in the most vulnerable communities, ask God to protect our young girls, and that people in the community will advocate on their behalf when tough situations arise.  

Pray for the Care Workers, who face many difficulties of their own, that God will keep them safe and give them the ability to be present at the Care Point, even when there are challenging situations at home. 

Many of the most vulnerable families rely on planting maize meal and vegetables to survive, but in order for that to happen the rains need to come. Please pray for the rains to come, and for our families to be able to plant and harvest what they need. 

Pray for the local Hands at Work team in Eswatini and for the Regional Support Team, that they will close the year with strength, energy and wisdom.

Praying for Hands at Work across Africa

Let the peace of Christ rule in your hearts, since as members of one body you were called to peace. And be thankful. Let the message of Christ dwell among you richly as you teach and admonish one another with all wisdom through psalms, hymns, and songs from the Spirit, singing to God with gratitude in your hearts. And whatever you do, whether in word or deed, do it all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through him. - Colossians 3:15-17

Over the last couple of months,  the local Hands at Work teams and the Regional Support Teams have been busy dreaming, planning and preparing for the year ahead.

Today, we invite you to join us in praying for continued wisdom, unity and guidance. As we end what has been a unique year with many challenges, ask God to give each member of Hands at Work. the strength, energy and determination that they need to finish the year well. As plans are made, ask God to speak light into any that are not His will. Pray that God’s will is done, and that we continue to grow in our understanding of what it means to care for the most vulnerable children.

Praying for Nigeria

I have said these things to you, that in me you may have peace. In the world you will have tribulations. But take heart; I have overcome the world. - John 16:33

Today we invite you to stand with us in prayer for Nigeria as they experience unrest. Due to the unrest, the local Hands at Work team in Lagos has been unable to go out into the communities. Please pray for peace and pray that God will make a way for the Lagos team to be out in the communities, serving the children and Care Workers.

Praying for the global Hands at Work family

Finally, brothers and sisters, rejoice! Strive for full restoration, encourage one another, be of one mind, live in peace. And the God of love and peace will be with you.  - 2 Corinthians 13:11

Hands at Work has International Offices in Australia, Canada, the UK and the US, and a growing community in Germany which is committed to serving the most vulnerable in Africa from afar. 

Today we invite you to join us in praying for: 

A persistent growth in numbers and capacity among the International Offices. Pray that God will bring continued unity, strength and understanding as they serve with each other. 

Strength, wisdom and discernment as they seek to mobilise and encourage more churches to care for the most vulnerable, and to find ways to serve and bring the hope of Jesus to their own communities in this challenging time. 

The daily rhythms of the International Offices, such as  prayer gatherings and Bible studies, to bear much fruit in the lives of each individual within the teams and in the communities that they support in Africa. 

Each International Office to find creative ways for postponed teams to deepen their relationships with the communities with which they partner with Hands at Work to support, even from afar.        
                                                
Our advocates across the world, that their momentum will continue to grow and that more people will catch the vision of serving the most vulnerable.

Praying for the Discipleship and Skills programme in Chisamba Community, Zambia

Fear not, for I have redeemed you; I have summoned you by name; you are mine. - Isaiah 43:1 

At the end of our first week of the Discipleship and Skills programme in Chisamba Community, Zambia, the boys have begun to build relationships with each other and learn about Jesus. 

Please pray for:  

Unity, confidentiality and a spirit of openness amongst the boys as they share their stories and lives. 

Physical protection and the safety of everyone involved over the next few weeks. Please also pray for spiritual protection over the boys during this time. 

The boys’ relationship with Jesus to become personal. Pray for their character, that they will learn what it means to be Godly men and to bring transformation to their communities, and to develop life skills for the future.

Praying for the local Hands at Work team in Kabwe

If any of you lacks wisdom, let him ask God, who gives generously to all without reproach, and it will be given him. - James 1:5 

Today we invite you to join us in praying for the local Hands at Work team in Kabwe, Zambia, who serve 860 of the most vulnerable children. 

Within the communities that the Kabwe team serves are a number of children facing challenging circumstances, each requiring different responses. Please pray for the Kabwe team as it follows up each situation, that God will give wisdom, discernment and a sensitivity to the Holy Spirit to know how to respond. Pray for each child to receive the care that they desperately need.  

Hands at Work is committed to building into the lives of our youth through intentional times of connection, by teaching them skills and speaking the truth of the gospel and how it can impact their lives.  Please pray for the upcoming construction of the Chisamba Life Centre, as the youth will be involved in this. Pray that the time the Care Workers and Kabwe team will be spending with the youth will be fruitful and will bring spiritual and emotional support and encouragement. Pray for a spirit of unity as they work together. This is the first project in which the youth will be involved, and could have the potential to be replicated in other communities across Africa. 

In this season in Zambia, when the rains haven’t yet started, people are desperately struggling to survive and make it through, particularly in the communities of Miswa, Baraka and Susu. Pray for the most vulnerable families, that God will provide for them and see them through to the harvest in early 2021. 

Pray for the Kabwe team to continue to grow in its daily rhythms and, as they run towards problems, ask God to give each member of the team wisdom and discernment.