Monthly Prayer Focus

In some communities in Asia and Africa, women and children in need are often overlooked. If a woman’s husband dies or abandons her, she must suddenly find a way to provide for herself and her children, despite hurdles such as illiteracy, discrimination and being exiled to the fringes of society. South Asia has almost 40 million widows, women who often go from being referred to as “she” to “it.” Meanwhile, some children do not have a safe place to call home. They may have run away from home, been orphaned or even been abandoned by their parents. They don’t know where their next meal will come from or who they can trust, as many people may take advantage of children in such desperate conditions. They are greatly at risk for being trafficked or forced into child labour. Join us in prayer this month as we ask God to be the widow’s help and the safe refuge for children in need.

In places such as Asia and Africa, the widow is often blamed for her husband’s death and viewed as a curse, so society shuns her. This is especially grievous for elderly widows because they cannot work as hard as they could in their younger years. They are more fragile. They do not have the hope for the future they did when they were younger. But GFA missionaries treat these women with respect and give them hope.

Please pray that elderly widows, in their time of grief and uncertainty, may know the peace that passes all understanding, and that they may minister to younger widows and give them encouragement. Also, pray that society will remember these women and be kind to them.

When a young woman’s husband dies or abandons her, she must suddenly provide for herself and her children. Some women may return to their parents’ home or remain with their in-laws. While this gives them a place to live, these family members sometimes add to the widow’s grief by mistreating them or by taking advantage of them. Other widows or abandoned women may be completely on their own, with no help to care for themselves or their children.

Please pray that God will protect these women and open doors for GFA missionaries to minister to them. Pray for young widows, who are trying to navigate a new stage of life, to be filled with peace.

Sometimes parents either die or abandon their children, leaving them to fend for themselves. In these tragic instances, children often find themselves on the streets, begging for food and trying to find shelter. They become easy targets for unscrupulous people who might take advantage of them. GFA missionaries look out for such children in need and partner with local authorities to provide them with needed care.

Please pray for the safety of the children still on the streets. Pray that God will protect them and arrange for them to encounter GFA missionaries, who can help give them an opportunity to start a fresh life.

GFA missionaries offer widows and abandoned children hope in their difficult times, but it takes a lot of time, energy and resources to properly minister to those in need.

Please pray that God will strengthen GFA missionaries and give them the resources they require to continue to help widows and abandoned children in dire need. Pray that God will open more doors for these missionaries to reach even more people.