Day 9 – Climate Change

Let us hold unswervingly to the hope we profess, for he who promised is faithful. – Hebrews 10:23

Over the last several years there has been an increase in natural disasters and extreme weather events. Without the support infrastructure in place, and with little means to gain additional security, the most vulnerable are most affected when a crisis comes. Pray for each person who has been impacted by these crises. Pray for Hands at Work to continue to find creative ways to build resilience and self-sustainability in our communities, so that when a crisis comes they are better equipped to withstand it.

In February, many areas in Southern Africa experienced high winds and heavy rainfall. In Zambia, the Kabwe and Chisamba regions were hit very hard. There has been significant damage caused to a number of homes within the communities where Hands serves. In some cases, homes collapsed in the night, leaving families with nowhere to go. Mary, pictured here, is the Primary Caregiver for one of these families in the Chisamba region.

When the local Hands at Work team in Chisamba, alongside the Regional Support Team and the Care Workers, began walking in the community, they discovered that there were families whose homes were in danger of collapsing.

Mary’s home was one of those homes. What had been a small crack in her mud-brick home was getting worse as the rains came down. Care Worker Brenda came to check on Mary and her family and invited them to come and stay in her own home for a few nights, out of concern that Mary’s house would collapse.

The next morning, when they returned to Mary’s house, the roof had caved in and one of the walls had crumbled in the night. It was an answer to prayer that the family had been in the safety of Brenda's home when their house fell.

#40Days2022

Marys home when it collapsed.

Mary and her families temporary home.

Day 23 - Existing African Leaders

Then the Lord said to him, ‘Who has made man’s mouth? Who makes him mute, or deaf, or seeing, or blind? Is it not I, the Lord? Now therefore go, and I will be with your mouth and teach you what you shall speak.’ - Exodus 4: 11-12

Hands at Work is committed to developing African leaders who love God and long to speak as a voice for the voiceless in the most vulnerable communities across Africa. Pray for our African leaders as they lead in challenging circumstances. Pray for the Holy Spirit to give each leader a continually deeper understanding of the challenges faced by the most vulnerable, and of the role that they can play in bringing hope.

Ruth is a member of one of the local Hands at Work teams in Zambia and grew up in Chibote Community herself. Starting as a Care Worker in Chibote in 2011, Ruth grew into her role as an African Leader with Hands at Work. She has a deep understanding of the challenges faced in communities like Chibote and represents the men and woman that make up 13 Hands at Work teams across Africa, who are committed to caring for the most vulnerable in over 60 communities.

#40Days2021

Day 1 - Make It Personal

Rejoice always, pray without ceasing, give thanks in all circumstances; for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus for you. – 1 Thessalonians 5:16-18

As we enter into 40 Days of Prayer, we want to introduce you to Rosa, a 12 -year-old girl, living in the community of Chibote in Zambia. How can you make her story personal to you? Pray for the thousands of children cared for by Hands at Work, represented by Rosa. May they know the love of their Heavenly Father. Ask God to speak to you through the life of Rosa. Pray for your heart to be open and willing to be transformed as you intercede on behalf of Hands at Work and Africa’s most vulnerable.

#40Days 2021

Praying for the Discipleship and Skills programme in Chisamba Community, Zambia

Fear not, for I have redeemed you; I have summoned you by name; you are mine. - Isaiah 43:1 

At the end of our first week of the Discipleship and Skills programme in Chisamba Community, Zambia, the boys have begun to build relationships with each other and learn about Jesus. 

Please pray for:  

Unity, confidentiality and a spirit of openness amongst the boys as they share their stories and lives. 

Physical protection and the safety of everyone involved over the next few weeks. Please also pray for spiritual protection over the boys during this time. 

The boys’ relationship with Jesus to become personal. Pray for their character, that they will learn what it means to be Godly men and to bring transformation to their communities, and to develop life skills for the future.

Praying for the local Hands at Work team in Kabwe

If any of you lacks wisdom, let him ask God, who gives generously to all without reproach, and it will be given him. - James 1:5 

Today we invite you to join us in praying for the local Hands at Work team in Kabwe, Zambia, who serve 860 of the most vulnerable children. 

Within the communities that the Kabwe team serves are a number of children facing challenging circumstances, each requiring different responses. Please pray for the Kabwe team as it follows up each situation, that God will give wisdom, discernment and a sensitivity to the Holy Spirit to know how to respond. Pray for each child to receive the care that they desperately need.  

Hands at Work is committed to building into the lives of our youth through intentional times of connection, by teaching them skills and speaking the truth of the gospel and how it can impact their lives.  Please pray for the upcoming construction of the Chisamba Life Centre, as the youth will be involved in this. Pray that the time the Care Workers and Kabwe team will be spending with the youth will be fruitful and will bring spiritual and emotional support and encouragement. Pray for a spirit of unity as they work together. This is the first project in which the youth will be involved, and could have the potential to be replicated in other communities across Africa. 

In this season in Zambia, when the rains haven’t yet started, people are desperately struggling to survive and make it through, particularly in the communities of Miswa, Baraka and Susu. Pray for the most vulnerable families, that God will provide for them and see them through to the harvest in early 2021. 

Pray for the Kabwe team to continue to grow in its daily rhythms and, as they run towards problems, ask God to give each member of the team wisdom and discernment.