Prayer

Praying for the Democratic Republic of the Congo and Malawi

For the word of God is alive and active. Sharper than any double-edged sword, it penetrates even to dividing soul and spirit, joints and marrow; it judges the thoughts and attitudes of the heart. - Hebrews 4:12

A huge challenge in the DRC is the cost of school fees. Pray for open doors for our children to attend school and for the local Hands at Work teams in the DRC as they support their children in this area. 

The local Hands at Work teams in the DRC want to help our youth grow in skills like gardening and construction, recognising that these skills will be beneficial in the future. Currently, plans are being made to start discipleship programmes to teach these skills and also share about the heart of Christ. Care Workers who are skilled in gardening and construction will be involved in these projects. Additionally, this year, there have been Maranatha Workshops for the youth in Luhonga, Buhimba and Kambove communities with the purpose being to share about the ‘Jesus We Know’ and what it means to grow into a healthy adult. Pray for the seeds that were planted during these workshops to bear fruit and pray for continued spiritual growth and an eagerness to serve their community. 

In Malawi, many families struggle to see the importance of their children receiving an education and, in some cases, take them out of school so that they can help their families work in the fields to earn a living. When children are able to attend school, they often have to walk a long way and, in many situations, on an empty stomach. Just a few weeks ago, schools reopened in Malawi for the first time since they closed in 2020. Pray for the most vulnerable families as they hear from the local Hands at Work team in Dedza the importance of their children receiving an education. Pray that they will have receptive hearts. Pray for the children to be safe as they walk to school, and that they will have strength and endurance. 

Understanding the importance of the healthy growth and development of the most vulnerable children, several Care Points in Malawi have under-fives programmes. Here, children under the age of five receive breakfast and have an opportunity to play with their friends while learning basic things like letters and numbers. Pray for these programmes to continually grow and develop into



Praying for Zambia

“So do not fear, for I am with you; do not be dismayed, for I am your God. I will strengthen you and help you; I will uphold you with my righteous right hand.” - Isaiah 41:10

Many challenges make obtaining an education for the most vulnerable children in Zambia difficult, from simply a lack of access and overcrowding in classrooms, to families struggling to understand the importance of their children getting an education. Some families instead prioritise their children working over the safety and security that going to school can provide. Pray for the local Hands at Work teams across Zambia as they continue to invest into the most vulnerable families and emphasise the importance of children receiving an education. Pray for parents and grandmothers as they grow in their security and understanding of the role that the Life Centres, Care Workers and the children’s daily meal play in their lives. 

Wanting to be intentional about investing into our children, the local Hands at Work teams in Zambia host youth camps for small groups of our youth from our communities throughout the year. These are set-aside times to dig deeper into the word of God and learn about what it means to be a servant leader while giving the space for our children to simply be children, free from the responsibilities at home. Pray for these camps to be a safe place where the youth can learn about Jesus and His love for them.

Praying for Mozambique and Zimbabwe

“Be on your guard; stand firm in the faith; be courageous; be strong.” - 1 Corinthians 16:13

In most countries across the world, schools were completely disrupted over the last year because of the COVID-19 pandemic. In Mozambique, this has resulted in children being pushed ahead a year in school without completing the grade they were in during 2020, meaning they will fall further behind. Pray for the local Hands at Work team in Chimoio as they address this challenge. Pray for our children, that they will have the courage and determination needed to study hard despite this significant setback. 

Over the next few months, the local Hands at Work team in Mozambique, together with the Care Workers, want to grow in how they invest into the youth in the communities. Pray that as they spend time with the youth, they will find unique ways to build into their lives, not only spiritually but also practically, teaching them life skills that will be helpful in the future. 

A huge challenge in Zimbabwe is the cost of school fees. Pray for open doors for our children to attend school, even when the cost of school fees is unattainable. Pray for the local Hands at Work team in the Honde Valley to have opportunities to build connections and relationships with education services and that God will open the doors necessary for our children to have the possibility of education opportunities. 

In Sakubva Community, the daughter of the Community Based Organisations coordinator Priscilla, took it upon herself to teach several of the young girls basic baking skills, with the hope that these skills will be helpful in the future. Pray that our girls will develop in these skills and that the CBO will continue to be a place of safety where they can learn about Jesus.

Praying for Nigeria

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 3:17

With a limited number of schools and teachers in Nigeria, schools are often overcrowded, leaving teachers with limited capacity to provide one-on-one care for their students. In some families, boys attending school is seen as a greater priority than girls, while in others, children are forced to work and help provide for the family instead of attending school. Pray for the local Hands at Work team in Lagos as they speak into these situations, that they will have wisdom and a sensitivity to the Holy Spirit. 

One way that the Lagos team have been investing into the youth in their communities is by involving them in building projects when the need arises. Having this time with the youth teaches them basic life skills like carpentry, and also gives the Lagos team the opportunity to have a Bible study with them. Pray for the Lagos team to have wisdom and discernment as they build into the youth, both practically and spiritually.

Praying for Eswatini and South Africa

Whoever dwells in the shelter of the Most High will rest in the shadow of the Almighty. I will say of the Lord, “He is my refuge and my fortress, my God, in whom I trust.” - Psalm 91:1-2

In Eswatini, children often journey over two hours each way to school, walking over rocky hills, in the rain or shine, and more often than not, on an empty stomach. Pray that God will give children the strength and endurance they need to walk to school each day. Pray protection over our children as they often are walking in the dark.

Understanding the value of health and hygiene, the local Hands at Work team in Eswatini have been sharing with the children the importance of hygiene and the role that it plays in keeping them safe and healthy. Pray that the Eswatini team will continually grow in their creativity and understanding of what it means to holistically care for the most vulnerable.

Although education is free in South Africa, undocumented children face repeated interruptions to their education as schools force them away. Often this happens when families come from the neighbouring countries of Eswatini, Mozambique or Zimbabwe in hope of a better life. Pray for the local Hands at Work teams in South Africa as they seek to better understand the challenges faced by the most vulnerable and that God will make a way for them to access consistent education.

In 2020, the South African Regional Support Team began intentionally investing into four boys from Sommerset Community, teaching them life skills like construction and what it means to be a follower of Christ. Now, the boys are continuing to be a part of building projects across the communities where Hands at Work are serving, while also being built into spiritually. Pray that they will continue to grow and develop in their relationship with Jesus and that they will have a positive influence on the children that they meet.

Join Us in a Week of Prayer for Holistic Education (May 24th to May 28th)

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Join us for a week of prayer from May 24th to May 28th, focusing on holistic education and the role that it plays in the lives of the most vulnerable children. 

Follow along with our prayer guide as we share some of the challenges surrounding education in each of the countries that we are serving and how we are committed to helping the most vulnerable children grow into healthy and whole adults who hope and believe that they have a future.

Download the prayer guide or follow along with our prayer app for daily prayer requests.