40 Days of Prayer

40 Days of Prayer - Day 9

Day 9 – Children across Africa

Don’t be afraid, for I am with you. Don’t be discouraged, for I am your God. I will strengthen you and help you. I will hold you up with my victorious right hand.

– Isaiah 41:10

Today, we encourage you to pray for the most vulnerable children like Idah, Amos and Erick who you know by name. Hands at Work deeply desires for each of our children, to have a personal relationship with Jesus, knowing and believing the unconditional love that He has for them. Ask God to give the most vulnerable children a spirit of joy and hope in the midst of desperation. Through the Godly display of love from their Care Workers, pray for each child to feel a sense of belonging, hope and love for their future.

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Chinku, Malawi

Idah* is a 10-year-old girl, living with her mother and four siblings in the community of Chinku. Her father passed away when she was only two years old, leaving her mother, Ellen*, solely responsible for providing for her young children. Ellen did all that she could to meet her children’s needs but it was an immense challenge. In 2014, Idah and her siblings were identified by local volunteer Care Workers as amongst the most vulnerable and invited to attend the Care Point where they would receive a hot, nutritious meal daily and support with their education and basic health care.




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Mwaiseni, Zambia

Amos* is a year old. For the first few months of his life, Amos was staying with his mother whose sister, Margret, is one of the Care Workers from Mapalo Community Based Organisation (CBO) in the community of Mwaiseni. Initially, when Amos was born, some of the family members wanted to take him to an orphanage because they were worried that his mother would not care for Amos. Thankfully, other family members and the Care Workers were committed to Amos and fought to ensure that Amos stayed in Mwaiseni, where they could see him grow up and care for him. Margret and her younger sister, Elizabeth, took responsibility for Amos and today, Amos is living with Elizabeth, her husband and their ten children. Elizabeth is acting as a mother-like figure to Amos and treats him as her own child.

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Mluti, South Africa

Sixteen-year-old Erick* and his twin sister Shirley* were born in Mozambique. When they were younger, their mother, Tale* fled her home country with her six children in search of a better life. The love that Tale has for her children is unmistakable as she works tirelessly to provide for her children’s needs. When Care Workers from Mluti Community Based Organisation (CBO) learned of the family’s story, they reached out in compassion and invited Erick, Shirley and their siblings to attend the Care Point each day. There they could receive a nutritious meal and support with their education and healthcare.

40 Days of Prayer - Day 8

Day 8 – Essential Services

He raises the poor from the dust and lifts the needy from the ash heap; he seats them with princes and has them inherit a throne of honor. For the foundations of the earth are the LORD’s; on them he has set the world.

– 1 Samuel 2:8

In countries like Nigeria, having a daily meal and access to education and health care is simply out of reach for the most vulnerable. Pray for Hands at Work as we strive to effectively provide these services for the most vulnerable children. Ask God to give each volunteer Care Worker in our communities across Africa, strength and energy as they fight to ensure that the most vulnerable children are holistically cared for.

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40 Days of Prayer - Day 7

Day 7 – Those Outside Our Reach

A father to the fatherless, a defender of widows, is God in his holy dwelling. God sets the lonely in families, He leads out the prisoners with singing; but the rebellious live in a sun-scorched land. – Psalm 68:5-6

Pray for the most vulnerable who are outside of our reach. Ask God to give peace, comfort and restoration to those living amidst war, injustice, persecution and corruption on a daily basis. Ask God to come and heal the brokenness and trauma in their lives and to free them from fear and anguish.

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40 Days of Prayer - Day 6

Day 6 – Corruption

I have set you an example that you should do as I have done for you. Very truly I tell you, no servant is greater than his master, nor is a messenger greater than the one who sent him. Now that you know these things, you will be blessed if you do them. – John 13:15-17

In many of the poorest communities and countries across Africa, the government systems are susceptible to corruption; creating an even greater level of vulnerability and desperation for the most vulnerable children and their families. Ask God to reveal himself to those who are causing this hurt and injustice. Pray that God would speak peace and compassion into their hearts. Pray for the church to defend the most vulnerable, and pray for people in positions of influence to speak on their behalf. Ask God to give those who are victims of oppression, His hope and comfort as they live in the midst of challenging circumstances.

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40 Days of Prayer - Week 2

WEEK 2 – THE CRISIS: POOREST OF THE POOR

Gugu Sibanda (African Volunteer, South Africa) shares the prayer focus for this week, the poorest of the poor:

Hands at Work is committed to working in the most vulnerable and desperate communities in the countries we serve. From child-headed households to HIV/AIDS, the poorest of the poor are consumed with challenges difficult to understand.