Day 8 - Children across Nigeria (#40Days2024)

“For I know the plans I have for you,” declares the Lord, “plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future. Then you will call on me and come and pray to me, and I will listen to you. You will seek me and find me when you seek me with all your heart.” - Jeremiah 29:11-13

Within Nigeria, there are 515 children being loved and cared for. Today, we invite you to pray for children across Nigeria:

• Living in Nigeria, especially in the area of Lagos, can be unsafe. With many people living in such close quarters, it can be quite hazardous. Pray for the physical protection of the children and that they will be safe from accidents. Also, pray for protection from illnesses like chickenpox and measles.

• Pray that the children will hear their teachers and hear the gospel well. “Pray that they would be used as instruments of God. Pray for God’s mercies and protection over them.” (Toyin, Local Leader, Nigeria).

Favour* is one of the 515 children across Nigeria. He lives in the community of Eagles Wings.

Ten-year-old Favour’s* family spiralled into poverty after his father was in an accident at work, leaving him unable to work any further. Favour’s mother, Idowu*, started her own business selling food, but her work wasn’t sustainable. With all their savings spent on hospital bills and with little to no income, they could not afford their rent, and moved into a wooden structure in Ilaje.

It did not take long for Favour and his family to be noticed. Mrs. Joseph compassionately visited them and offered Favour and his brother a place at the Care Point and at the school. Idowu was supported by the Care Workers to restart her business selling fresh-cooked meals. She was drawn to what she saw in the Care Workers and the Care Point and decided to become a Care Worker herself at the nearby Temitope CBO, where her young daughter and grandson attend!

Day 26 – Church Mobilisation

But you are a chosen people, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, God’s special possession, that you may declare the praises of him who called you out of darkness into his wonderful light. – 1 Peter 2:9

Central to our vision is seeing the local church actively involved in caring for the most vulnerable children within their own communities. Through church mobilisation, Maranatha Workshops and Hands at Work’s foundations training, we are committed to helping our church leaders grow in their understanding of the Biblical mandate to care for the most vulnerable. Pray that our church leaders will participate and will be willing to learn about what it means to care. Ask God to give courage and wisdom to each person facilitating these trainings.

#40Days2022

Meet Adrian

Be kind and compassionate to one another, forgiving each other, just as in Christ God forgave you. - Ephesians 4:32

Adrian* is five years old and the youngest of four boys being raised by his mother, after the passing of their father. Her overwhelming grief led her to the abuse of alcohol, impacting her ability to earn an income, as well as to physically, emotionally and spiritually care for her children.  

When neighours noticed her inconsistent presence and lack of care, they brought the situation to the attention of the Care Workers. Acting with compassion, the Care Workers invited Adrian, and his siblings, to be a part of the daily activities of the Care Point. 

Last year, the family's house was completely demolished by heavy rains. Hands at Work was able to assist in building a new home for the family, which has had an incredible impact on Adrian's mother. Full of gratitude to God, she started attending church and making an effort to improve her well-being, and the well-being of her family. 

Today we encourage you to take time to pray for Adrian and the other children who you know by name. 

Urgent Call to Prayer - Zambia

The LORD is my light and my salvation; whom shall I fear? The Lord is the stronghold of my life; of whom shall I be afraid? - Psalm 27:12

Over this past week many areas in Southern Africa have experienced high winds and heavy rainfall. In Zambia, the Kabwe and Chisamba regions have been hit very hard.

There has been significant damage caused to a number of homes within the communities we serve. In some cases, homes collapsed in the night, leaving families with nowhere to go. 

Please join us in praying for the Hands at Work teams in Zambia as they work together with the local Care Workers to respond to this crisis. Pray for temporary housing to be arranged for each of our families, giving them a safe place to shelter. Pray for courage for each family who has been impacted in this season. Pray that they will experience the love of God through an outpouring of compassion and generosity from their surrounding community. 

“The rain was coming down heavy in the night. I said to my husband we need to run before the roof comes down. As we were leaving the house, the whole roof caved in. God protected us, but our home is destroyed.”  - Gogo Levina, Malakota Community, Kabwe.

Day 29 - Holy Home Visits

We love because he first loved us. – 1 John 4:19

The core of a Holy Home Visit is in what Christ has done for us. It is recognising the state of brokenness in which He found us, and then understanding the call that He has given for us to help find others. Visiting families in their homes is one of the key ways that we can identify what is happening below the surface. Pray that, together with the Care Workers, we will be bold in sharing the gospel and that, in everything we do, we will be attentive to the guiding of the Holy Spirit. Pray against any fear people may have in visiting or allowing people to visit them.

We read in scripture about how and why Jesus came into the world not only to fulfill what was written, but to bring a message of hope and peace to all who would receive him.

#40Days2021

Day 15 - Hands at Work Volunteers

While they were worshiping the Lord and fasting, the Holy Spirit said, ‘Set apart for me Barnabas and Saul for the work to which I have called them.’ Then after fasting and praying they laid their hands on them and sent them off. - Acts 13: 2-3

Hands at Work has volunteers from across the world serving on the ground in Africa as well as in International Offices in Australia, Canada, Germany, the UK and the US. Pray for each volunteer who you know by name. Pray that they will continue to grow in their spiritual maturity as they serve.

Today, as you pray for Hands at Work volunteers, we invite you to send an encouraging message to those who you know by name.

#40Days2021