The Watchword for 2022

Tell Archippus: “See to it that you complete the work you have received in the Lord.” - Colossians 4:17

Hands at Work begins each year with a Watchword; a guiding scripture which George, the co-founder of Hands, shares with the Hands family. This scripture is a promise, a challenge, an inspiration, an encouragement, and an opportunity to invite God to lead us throughout the year, expectant for what He will do in and through us.

This year, the watchword for 2022 comes from Colossians 4:17 - Tell Archippus: “See to it that you complete the work you have received in the Lord.”

Pray for the Watchword to speak directly into the hearts of each person who hears it! 

Praying for the local Hands at Work teams across Africa

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

Across Africa, Hands at Work has local teams comprising Christian men and women who have answered God’s calling on their lives to serve the most vulnerable. Each of these teams exists to encourage, challenge and support local volunteer Care Workers as they care for the most vulnerable children in the most broken and desperate communities across Africa. Their goal is to strengthen communities and to build their resilience for the future.

Coming into the new year, pray that they will have wisdom and discernment as they put into place the dreams and plans that were made in 2021. Pray for unity as they serve. 

Pray for the energy and strength needed to advocate and speak on behalf of the most vulnerable children, often in difficult circumstances. 

Pray that God will stir a desire in the hearts of more African men and women to sacrificially give of themselves to serve. Pray that they will be people of integrity, accountability, generosity and love.

Praying for the Global Hands at Work Family

‘As iron sharpens iron, so one person sharpens another.’ – Proverbs 27:17

The global Hands at Work family comprises volunteers from around the world, with some serving in Africa and others serving from their home countries of Australia, Canada, Germany, the United Kingdom and the United States.   

Pray that Christ will continually remain the foundation of everything that we do and pray that we will remain united in our calling to serve the most vulnerable children. 

This year, pray for each volunteer, whether they live in Africa or not, to go deeper in understanding what it means to serve the most vulnerable and their role in this work. 

Ask God to give us the eyes to see and the ears to hear the needs of the most vulnerable. Pray that each person will make it personal and fight for the lost one.

Praying for Our Care Workers as They Start the Year

Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, the new creation has come: The old has gone, the new is here! – 2 Corinthians 5:17 

Join us in praying for each one of our Care Workers across Africa, who are committed to caring for the most vulnerable children. Pray that they will feel strengthened and ready for the year ahead. Ask God to take our Care Workers deeper into understanding His love for them. Pray that they will be courageous in advocating on behalf of the children. 

Pray that God will bring new Care Workers to the communities who have a heart of grace and compassion, and long to bring the love of God to their community.

Praying for Our Primary Caregivers to Know God’s Love

He will be great and will be called the Son of the Most High. And the Lord God will give to him the throne of his father David. - Luke 1:32

Today, on Christmas Eve, as we anticipate the birth of our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ, we invite you to join us in praying for the spiritual healing and restoration of our Primary Caregivers. Pray that they will come to know the unconditional love of our Heavenly Father. Pray that as they experience His love, they will be set free from the bondage and brokenness in their lives. Pray that they will understand the truth of Jesus and who He is and can be in their lives.