Day 14 – International Church and Partners

Give, and it will be given to you. Good measure, pressed down, shaken together, running over, will be put into your lap. For with the measure you use it will be measured back to you.” – Luke 6:38

Hands at Work believes that, together with the local church in Africa, the International church has been called to stand up and speak as a voice for the voiceless. Praise God for each of our partners, who remain committed to caring for the vulnerable, despite facing many challenges. Pray that they will experience God’s peace and provision in their lives. Ask God to fill them with the strength that they need to keep advocating for those in Africa and within their own community.

Read more about the way that advocates in the UK are staying connected to the work that is happening on the ground in Africa: www.handsatwork.org/newsroom/2022/3/4/knowing-their-names 

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Day 13 - Pastors

Pay careful attention to yourselves and to all the flock, in which the Holy Spirit has made you overseers, to care for the church of God, which he obtained with his own blood. - Acts 20:28

Within our communities, pastors are highly regarded and have a strong influence. Pray that they will understand the truth of who Jesus is, and the responsibility that they have in caring for the vulnerable in their community. Pray that they will be a voice of truth in the midst of challenging circumstances and that they have the courage to speak against things that are unbiblical.

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Day 12 - Care Workers

“Then they will reply, ‘Lord, when did we see you hungry or thirsty or a stranger or naked or sick or in prison and didn’t do anything to help you?’ Then he will answer, ‘I assure you that when you haven’t done it for one of the least of these, you haven’t done it for me.’” – Matthew 25:44-45

Thank God for the volunteer Care Workers and their families, who are committed to sacrificially giving of themselves to serve the most vulnerable children. Pray that they will have the courage to advocate on behalf of the children and their families, even when this goes against the cultural norm. Ask God to give each Care Worker the spiritual eyes to see what is happening in the lives of the children. Pray that they will build relationships of trust and love.

The local Hands at Work team in Nigeria reflects on Sis Moji, one of the Care Workers in Temitope Community, Nigeria, who is caring for some of the most vulnerable children.

“When we first met Sis Moji, she was really struggling. We did a Holy Home Visit at her home and told her about the ‘Jesus We Know’ and also what God wants us to do for the orphans and the most vulnerable children in our community. After hearing about the vision, she decided to join as a Care Worker. And since she joined, she has not regretted it because God is always making a way for her.

She is always happy when she is playing with the children and when they are close to her. The children are happy when they see her, and that makes her happy. She sees the Care Point as her home. She loves caring for the children.”

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Day 11 - The Local Church

Poor persons will never disappear from the earth. That’s why I’m giving you this command: you must open your hand generously to your fellow Israelites, to the needy among you, and to the poor who live with you in your land.” – Deuteronomy 15:11

Hands at Work is committed to helping the local church in Africa to fulfil the Biblical mandate of caring for the orphans and widows in their distress. Ask God to open the eyes of each church leader across Africa to see the needs of the vulnerable around them. Pray that they will be filled with love, compassion and generosity. Pray for the local pastors and church leaders to rise up and take responsibility for the most vulnerable children and their families – acting as the hands and feet of Jesus.

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Day 10 – Corruption

Do everything without grumbling or arguing, so that you may become blameless and pure, “children of God without fault in a warped and crooked generation.” Then you will shine among them like stars in the sky – Philippians 2:14-15

In many of the poorest communities and countries the government systems are susceptible to corruption, creating an even greater level of desperation in the most vulnerable families. Pray for those in positions of power and influence across Africa to have grace and compassion for those they have committed to serving. Pray for the church to be a voice of truth in these challenging situations, and pray that they will advocate on behalf of the most vulnerable. For those who are victims of oppression, pray that they will see God’s hope and love in their lives.

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