Day 6 - Traditional Healing and Stigma

Be strong and courageous. Do not fear or be in dread of them, for it is the Lord your God who goes with you. He will not leave you or forsake you. – Deuteronomy 31:6

For years, diseases like HIV/AIDS, malaria, cholera and typhoid have been stigmatised, resulting in people facing rejection from their community. Pray for the local churches and our Care Workers to stand in the gap for these people. Sadly, there are many cultural practices and traditional beliefs that can prevent children from visiting the clinics and receiving medical care. Pray that these bonds will be broken and that the children will receive the care that they desperately need.

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Day 5 - Access to Clean and Safe Water

‘Come, everyone who thirsts, come to the waters; and he who has no money, come, buy and eat! Come, buy wine and milk without money and without price.’ - Isaiah 55:1

Access to safe and clean water is essential for many aspects of daily life, including drinking, bathing and cooking, and for the prevention of water-borne diseases. When access to clean water is limited, it can significantly impact the health of the most vulnerable. Please pray for an increase in clean water sources and that God will protect the health of the most vulnerable.

Hands at Work is committed to serving within the most vulnerable and desperate communities, providing access to food, basic education and healthcare for children like Rosa and her siblings, to help them survive. The COVID-19 pandemic has magnified the deeply rooted inequality in the poorest communities across Africa. Together with many other ongoing challenges, the vulnerability of the children has sharply increased.

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The First Sunday

On Sundays we pause to anticipate the coming of Easter Sunday and the resurrection of Jesus Christ.

But he was pierced for our transgressions, he was crushed for our iniquities; the punishment that brought us peace was upon him, and by his wounds we are healed. He was oppressed and afflicted, yet he did not open his mouth; he was led like a lamb to the slaughter, and as a sheep before her shearers is silent, so he did not open his mouth. – Isaiah 53:5 + 7

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Day 3 - Children Yet to be Identified

But let all who take refuge in you be glad; let them ever sing for joy. Spread your protection over them, that those who love your name may rejoice in you. - Psalm 5:11

Across Africa, there are thousands of vulnerable children not yet cared for who are living in fear and without hope. These children are regularly exposed to hunger, abuse, war, sickness such as malaria and pandemics like COVID-19 and Ebola. These things inhibit their healthy growth and development and cause lasting trauma. Pray for the God of all comfort to give them peace and healing from the trauma and brokenness that they experience.

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Day 2 - Children across Africa

O Lord, you have searched me and known me! You know when I sit down and when I rise up; you discern my thoughts from afar. - Psalm 139: 1-2

Across eight different African countries, Hands at Work is serving over 7000 children like Rosa. Praise God that they are known by name, not only by their Care Workers but by their Heavenly Father. Pray that they will come to know His love through Jesus and be filled with a sense of belonging and with hope for their future.

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Day 1 - Make It Personal

Rejoice always, pray without ceasing, give thanks in all circumstances; for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus for you. – 1 Thessalonians 5:16-18

As we enter into 40 Days of Prayer, we want to introduce you to Rosa, a 12 -year-old girl, living in the community of Chibote in Zambia. How can you make her story personal to you? Pray for the thousands of children cared for by Hands at Work, represented by Rosa. May they know the love of their Heavenly Father. Ask God to speak to you through the life of Rosa. Pray for your heart to be open and willing to be transformed as you intercede on behalf of Hands at Work and Africa’s most vulnerable.

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