40 Days of Prayer

Day 12 - Meet the Luanshya and Kitwe Service Centers (#40Days2024)

My help comes from the Lord, the Maker of heaven and earth. He will not let your foot slip - he who watches over you will not slumber. - Psalm 121:2-3

Across Africa, Hands at Work has local teams comprising of 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. We call these teams Service Centres.

In the Luanshya Service Centre are: Belita, Mavis, Quinn and Sylvia. They serve eight of the most vulnerable communities across Africa.

• “Katetaula is one community where there is a spiritual struggle. There was a church, but it is no longer in operation because no one was going there. Pray for us to have guidance on how we can work with the leadership of the community so that there can be a church in that community. If there is no church in Katetaula, it is not healthy for the children because they need to know Jesus, and only hearing it at the Care Point is not enough.” (Sylvia, Local Leader, Zambia)

In the Kitwe Service Centre are: Clara, Cosmas and Emeldah. They serve seven of the most vulnerable communities across Africa.

• Ask God to give discernment to the team as they address the many health challenges that the children are facing in the community. Pray for the team as they implement what they learned about supporting the Primary Caregivers at our annual meeting in Zambia. “We want to ‘walk in Shema obedience’ (hear to do)”. (Haggai, Regional Support Team, Zambia)

Day 11 - Welcome to Zambia (#40Days2024)

if my people, who are called by my name, will humble themselves and pray and seek my face and turn from their wicked ways, then I will hear from heaven, and I will forgive their sin and will heal their land.
- 2 Chronicles 7:14

Zambia is one of eight countries Hands at Work is serving in across Africa. Zambia has a population of 20,488,240 people, with 58% of the population living in extreme poverty. Ranking 154 out of 187 on the Human Development Index, there are 66,000 children living with HIV/AIDS and 580,000 children who have been orphaned because of this life-threatening illness. –Sources: UNAID, UNDP, World Poverty Clock

As we start the week, please join us in praying for the country of Zambia:

  • “In Zambia, we can be praying against illnesses like cholera, malaria and typhoid. Pray for our children who are drinking water in the community, which is not safe, that God will protect them.

  • We can pray for the rain. Since the rain started, we have experienced some drought in some areas for two or three weeks, and, in some areas, the rain didn’t come on time. We can pray that we receive enough rainfall so that people can have a good harvest and have food for their families.

  • We can also pray that our church leaders across Zambia will stand for the truth. Some church leaders or pastors can be caught up, misleading the politicians and not speaking on behalf of the most vulnerable people and their communities. Pray that the church will stand for the truth.” (Michael, Local Leader, Zambia)

As you pray, remember the International Offices in Australia, Canada, Germany, the UK and the US who serve with Hands at Work to care for the most vulnerable in Africa. Pray for each of the advocates and churches in these countries that partner with with Hands at Work. Pray that they will remain steadfast in their calling to serve. Pray that they will be encouraged even in times of difficulty.

Day 10 - Care Workers and Primary Caregivers across Nigeria (#40Days2024)

In many communities in Nigeria and across Africa, the Care Workers are also the Primary Caregivers of the children that they are serving. A Primary Caregiver is the mother, father, grandparents, aunts, uncles, older siblings or other relatives of the children coming to the Care Point.

• “Pray for the Primary Caregivers in Nigeria who are in a season of harvesting palm oil. Pray that they will be safe, there will be no accidents, and they will earn a good profit, which is used to provide for their family.” (Toyin, Local Leader, Nigeria)

• Pray for protection from ill health for each Care Worker and Primary Caregiver, as many of them suffer from swollen legs. “Sometimes I wonder if it is physical, spiritual, or both.” (Vivian, Local Leader, Nigeria).

Kehinde (pictured far right) represents many of the many Care Worker and Primary Caregivers in Nigeria. Toyin shares "she has a heart to serve the most vulnerable and often lets the children come and stay in her house over the weekend. She will wash the children’s clothes on her own time and has a passion for serving. The way that she cares is on a different level.”

Day 9 - Care Workers and Primary Caregivers across Nigeria

In Nigeria, there are 46 Care Workers who have committed to caring for the most vulnerable children.

• “Pray for the Care Workers in Nigeria, that they will have a sincere heart and commitment to knowing Jesus.” (Toyin, Local Leader, Nigeria)

• Across Nigeria, it is common for women to carry the burden of providing and caring for their families. Pray that they will be safe and experience God’s love in their lives.

• Thank God for the Care Workers who come to the Care Point every day to care for the children. Pray that they would be encouraged and pray that God would provide for them.

Ebeere is one of the 46 Care Workers across Nigeria. She says, “my name is Ebeere and I have six children. I have been a Care Worker in Temitope Community for six years. I want the children’s future to be bright because I love children. I heard the voice of God to work with children. I feel happy seeing the children and teaching them in the way of the Lord.”

#40Days2024

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!