How Can I Pray for Children Living in Poverty?
Children living in poverty can be a regular topic in our prayers. God says in His Word, “Open your mouth for the speechless, In the cause of all who are appointed to die. Open your mouth, judge righteously, And plead the cause of the poor and needy.” (Proverbs 31:8-9). God loves the poor.
Here are some ways you can pray for children who live in extreme poverty. Pray for:
- Tangible needs – People living in poverty need help with tangible resources. Pray for God to meet their needs for food and supplies. Pray for God to give them consistent income and employment.
- Emotional needs – Poverty is difficult on a person’s mental health, including children. A hopelessness and a feeling of worthlessness often come with poverty. Pray that GFA missionaries would be able to share encouragement and hope in Christ.
- Environmental needs – When drought occurs, water is scarce and sometimes impossible to find. Pray for God to bring water to areas with drought. Pray for God to bring clean water wells to areas where clean water is not accessible.
- Spiritual needs – Hope for the future comes from God. Pray that people will accept Christ as Savior when missionaries, pastors and His people share the Gospel.
- Wisdom for organizations such as GFA World who are working diligently in South Asia and parts of Africa to bring tangible, emotional, environmental and spiritual help to children and their families. GFA missionaries and pastors are serving as lights in these areas, some where it is very difficult to be a Christian, and being the hands and feet of Jesus.
- GFA’s programs as we seek to meet tangible needs of children and their families – For instance, through child sponsorship, GFA provides assistance with the key needs children have. The program can supply things like nutritious food, hygiene supplies, clean water, help with required school supplies and more. GFA also provides income-generating opportunities like livestock, seeds and sewing machines which help families financially and make it more likely their children will be able to remain in school.
[1] “Child Poverty.” UNICEF. https://www.unicef.org/social-policy/child-poverty. Accessed November 23, 2022.
[2] Amato, Erin. “How Poverty Stunts a Growing Brain.” https://www.wilsonquarterly.com/quarterly/_/how-poverty-stunts-a-growing-brain. Accessed November 23, 2022.
[3] “Child Poverty Overview.” Public Health Scotland. https://www.healthscotland.scot/population-groups/children/child-poverty/child-poverty-overview/impact-of-child-poverty. Accessed November 23, 2022.
[4] Naeem Z, Shaukat F, Ahmed Z. “Child labor in relation to poverty.” International Journal of Health Sciences. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC3533357/. Accessed November 23, 2022.
[5] “Poverty and Education.” Child Fund. https://www.childfund.org/poverty-and-education/. Accessed November 23, 2022.
[6] “What is Child Poverty?” Compassion. https://www.compassion.com/poverty/child-poverty.htm. Accessed November 23, 2022.