Praying for Eswatini

 ....then make my joy complete by being like-minded, having the same love, being one in spirit and of one mind. - Philippians 2:2

Today, we invite you to join us in praying for Eswatini, where we are serving four of the most vulnerable communities. 

• Pray for Futhi and Sphesinhle, who are part of the local Hands at Work team in Eswatini. Pray that they will have wisdom and a sensitivity to the Holy Spirit as they serve. 

• Pray for safety and protection of the most vulnerable children and their families. Pray that each individual will come to know and believe the love of God. 

• Thank God for each of our Care Workers who have committed to sacrificially giving of themselves to serve. Pray that they will feel encouraged and uplifted as they serve in often difficult circumstances.  Ask God to provide for their families and keep them safe.

Meet Grace

A new commandment I give to you, that you love one another: just as I have loved you, you also are to love one another. By this all people will know that you are my disciples, if you have love for one another.” - John 13:34-35

Grace* is a joyful eight-year-old girl, though life is not easy. Her mother died five years ago, and her father, struggling with his own brokenness, left Grace and her siblings under the care of their older sister. They have not seen their father since. The family is dependent on their older sister finding odd jobs in the community to support their basic needs. Thankfully, the Care Workers are committed to not only providing them with food and basic health care, but also sharing the love and hope of the gospel. - Chinku Community, Malawi 

Today we invite you to pray for children across Africa, like Grace, who are in desperate need of Christ’s hope and transformational love.

Praying for the Hands at Work Community

‘They devoted themselves to the apostles’ teaching and to fellowship, to the breaking of bread and to prayer. Everyone was filled with awe at the many wonders and signs performed by the apostles. All the believers were together and had everything in common. They sold property and possessions to give to anyone who had need. Every day they continued to meet together in the temple courts. They broke bread in their homes and ate together with glad and sincere hearts, praising God and enjoying the favour of all the people. And the Lord added to their number daily those who were being saved.’- Acts 2:42-47

Across Africa, as Hands at Work volunteers, we live and serve together, following the call of Jesus to live in community and follow him, not as individuals, but as the Body of Christ. We are of different ages, cultures and personalities. We have very different testimonies of our walks with Christ, but we all feel called to serve the most vulnerable here in Africa.

• Pray that as a Hands at Work community, we will grow in our desire to serve one another and sacrificially give of ourselves. 

• Pray that we will grow in accountability, love, compassion, grace, wisdom and generosity.  

• Ask God to continue developing in people a heart of servanthood and vulnerability. 

Hands at Work Teams and Partners

And do not forget to do good and to share with others, for with such sacrifices God is pleased."
- Hebrews 13:16

Hands at Work believes in the local and international church working together to care for the most vulnerable children across Africa. For years, our partners from across the world have been sending teams to Africa to encourage, support and build relationships with the Care Workers, Primary Caregivers and children in the most vulnerable communities. In 2020 however, many of those partners were unable to send teams due to the pandemic, and 2021 is looking very similar.

• Pray for each team that was going to come in 2021. Pray that they will have peace and find creative ways to stay connected to the community with which they partner with Hands at Work to support.

• For teams who are still planning to come, pray that they will trust in God’s timing and His plans for their team.

• Pray for each of Hands at Work’s partners to feel encouraged and uplifted. Pray that they will continue to grow in their understanding of what it means to serve the most vulnerable.

Praying for Our Youth

Don't let anyone look down on you because you are young, but set an example for the believers in speech, in conduct, in love, in faith and in purity. – 1 Timothy 4:12

One of the most significant impacts of the COVID pandemic in Africa is the closure of schools, which has stripped children of a healthy routine of learning and structure to occupy their days. This is a particular challenge for adolescents and teenagers as they search for meaning and belonging. While some of our most vulnerable youth have found purpose in increasing their involvement at our Care Points by helping prepare and serve food or caring for younger children, others struggle with the constant draw around them to unhealthy lifestyles and relationships.

• Thank God for those youth who are becoming more involved at their Care Points. Pray that they will continue to seek ways to serve the Care Workers and the other children.

• Pray for the youth who have been a part of youth camps and intentional discipleship programmes. Pray that they will continue to seek Christ and have the courage to share what they have learned with the other youth in their community.

• Pray for our youth who are struggling, not only in their relationship with God but in their ability to make healthy life choices. Pray that they will experience the love of God and understand the implications that these choices have on their future.

• Ask God to fill each member of the local Hands at Work teams across Africa with wisdom and a sensitivity to the Holy Spirit as they spend time with the youth. Pray that, together with the Care Workers, they will be a source of hope and encouragement as the youth experience many challenges in their communities.

Praying for Protection against Waterborne Diseases

The Lord will keep you from all harm - he will watch over your life; the Lord will watch over your coming and going both now and forevermore. - Psalm 121:7-8

In the most vulnerable communities across Africa, access to clean water is limited and many families are forced to drink dirty water. These sources are often streams and rivers which are also used by families for washing clothes and bathing, and by animals. Drinking water from contaminated sources can lead to people becoming ill with waterborne diseases such as cholera and typhoid.

Today we invite you to pray with us for the families who have no choice but to drink dirty water. Pray for protection of their bodies, and that God will keep them safe. Pray that as Hands at Work we will have wisdom in knowing how to address this challenge and that God will make a way for clean water sources to be available.