Prayer is not preparation for the battle. Prayer is the battle. -Brother Andrew
The more time I invest in my young refugee friends, the more I learn about their personalities, interests, and potential. But I also become more aware of their individual needs and the issues in their communities. I realize just how powerless I am in myself in the midst of the spiritual war being waged over kids' souls. They are vulnerable to harmful influences all around: unforgettable haunts of the past, possible abuse at home, bullying & peer-pressure at school, less-than-desirable role models, drug deals, human-trafficking, "games" they somehow learn that are nothing short of witchcraft, and the deceptive, ever-present religious organizations (which often put us to shame with their evangelistic efforts), not to mention parents who may question & restrict their interaction with Christians. Honestly, it's easy to let hopelessness creep in.
I'm so thankful for God's constant reminders through His Word and fellow believers this week that it's not up to me to protect, heal, save, or transform their lives. Our God loves each one so much more than I ever could; He knows their past, their problems, their joys, their spiritual journeys, and their futures. God just wants me to faithfully show and tell them about that Love and to pour my fighting energies into praying for them and praying against those schemes of the evil one.
Below I have outlined how you can join me in praying over these children's specific neighborhoods.
-for an end to war in their homelands
-protection of Christians and a testimony of unity & forgiveness to unbelieving neighbors
-God's provision for physical, spiritual, emotional needs
-unbelievers' hearts to be opened to Truth, to desire to seek Jesus, Christians, and the Bible
-children to keep coming to For the Nations Summer Reading Program, to learn & grow in knowledge of Jesus and the gospel
-parents' softened hearts to allow children to attend this summer
-young hearts guarded against lies & deception they hear on a daily basis
I have been especially burdened to pray over a large neighborhood of Afghans, Iraqis, Ethiopians, Eritreans, Congolese, etc.:
-for an end to the violence & killing in their homelands, salvation of terrorists & victims, free/stable governments, protection of relatives still in danger, freedom for Christians & testimony of love & forgiveness
-continued open doors for relationships & ministry, including swimming lessons (many refugee kids drown here each year)
-new believers: physical/spiritual/emotional protection, growth, discipleship, bold & loving testimony among neighbors & family
-unbelievers' hearts to be opened to Truth, to desire to seek Jesus, Christians, and the Bible
-children to keep coming to For the Nations Summer Reading Program, to learn & grow in knowledge of Jesus and the gospel
-parents' softened hearts to allow children to attend this summer
-protection of children from evil influences, abuse, false religion, witchcraft, drugs, gangs, and effects of unhealed trauma
"With all prayer and petition pray at all times in the Spirit, and with this in view, be on the alert with all perseverance and petition for all the saints, and pray on my behalf, that utterance may be given to me in the opening of my mouth, to make known with boldness the mystery of the gospel... that in proclaiming it I may speak boldly, as I ought to speak." Ephesians 6:18-20
*Names changed for privacy reasons. To respect the privacy of individuals mentioned in this post, please do not share this information in a public setting or on social media.*
