One Million Changed Lives

Ali Anderson, one of our ambassadors to the future,* shared this prayer at our 1 millionth child celebration last Friday. We thought we’d share it with you, along with another video from the celebration.


“For nothing is impossible with God.” – Luke 1:37 (NIV)

Most Holy King,

We stand before You right now in complete awe. In awe of who You are, of what You have done, and what You are doing.

group of men and women gathered in a church

Thank you for being so visibly present in the circumstances of today. We are so humbled by Your greatness and by Your presence in our lives. You are the Creator of the heavens, the orchestrator of the orbits, and the breath of life.

Thank you for being so present in our individual lives. You are so faithful to us and to this ministry. You are faithful to FELLOW, as You are to each of us.

Lord, as You have brought Compassion to this incredible point of growth, we turn it back over to You. This is not our ministry, we do not want to run it our way. Rather we desire Your direction and guidance.

You have brought this ministry so far and have used it to touch so many lives. I ask that You would continue to use it in such a manner.

Jesus, I pray for all of the workers of Compassion as we continue to grow. I ask that You would meet each of us where we are, regardless of country, language, and circumstances.

I ask that You would allow each person to be so individually centered on You that You would inevitably be the core of the ministry.

I lift up to You the children enrolled in the Compassion program. Allow the faith and heart of the employees to influence and teach these children — that every child would inherit a passion for Christ that is continually growing. Give them faith of great warriors that they might penetrate the dark world they live in and be a light for You to everyone around them.

God, You have told us that we do not have because we do not ask, and we do not receive because we don’t have right motives. We come boldly before You today and ask this: Please purify our motives that we might honor You in our request.

one million sponsored children bannerAnd we ask that You would bless Compassion International in ways that we have never dreamed of.

Lord, I ask that You would bring us to a point where there are 2 MILLION precious children receiving spiritual and physical healing and growth. Use Compassion to spread Your truth to countless hearts.

You are a Lord of impossibilities. Jesus, You came to Earth fully man and fully God, you have caused miracles to happen on every level, you cause our lungs to draw breath, and you hear the whispered prayer of every tiny child on the face of this planet.

Please make the impossible possible and give Compassion exponential growth, not for our own sake Lord, but rather that your truth and your love would reach every corner and every person on this earth.

You, God, are what makes life worth living. You are the reason for our joy. You are the reason for Compassion’s success. Thank you. Thank you for FELLOW, for his new mother and for every sponsor-child relationship.

Lord, this ministry is Yours. I ask that You would remain the core purpose and inspiration of every person here. All glory is Yours for this incredible moment. May You receive all the honor for Compassion International and for its wide-reaching impact.

Thank you for allowing us to be a part of Your story.

In Your Holy and Precious Name, Amen.

Watch Changed Lives and subscribe to Compassion YouTube for more stories.

*Wess talks about our “ambassadors to the future” — Ali Anderson and Amman Beeftu — in our What the Future Holds video.

14 Comments |Add a comment

  1. Sam Llanes October 2, 2009

    Same prayer from me, a guy who works for Compassion International Guatemala, seen first hand the impact our program has on the lives of our sponsored children and to their families, a guy who utterly believes and prays for our this wonderful ministry and a guy who thanks God for having thought in me for granting me the privilege of serving God in this awesome ministry! =)

  2. Linda Pass July 4, 2009

    One more question: Is it appropriate to send presents for other members of the sponsored child’s family?

  3. Mike Stephens June 26, 2009

    “For nothing is impossible with God.” – Luke 1:37 (NIV)

    Hallelujah!!!!!!!

  4. Robin MacLearn June 22, 2009

    What the Future Holds video is awe-inspiring. I am so proud and privileged to be associated with Compassion Int’l. Keep up the great work!!

  5. Juli Jarvis June 19, 2009

    Love it! Great video!

  6. Mike Stephens June 18, 2009

    Amazing!!!!!!! Simply AMAZING!!!!!!! I really wouldn’t understand what they are saying unless I had visited Osmari in Nicaragua and Jay-poy, Reneboy, and Angelo in the Philippines. I do not always know the impact I am making but I try to be a tidal wave of prayer and encouragement through letters, CASH ;), and prayers and visits!!!!!!!

  7. Dana June 18, 2009

    What a wonderful celebration! I can’t wait for the 2 millionth child. I am so privileged to be a part of Compassion and see the work that that God is doing in the lives of Compassion children and their sponsors.

  8. Chuck Guth June 18, 2009

    Amen! Both the prayer and the video are amazing….

  9. Jenny June 18, 2009

    “I ask that You would allow each person to be so individually centered on You that You would inevitably be the core of the ministry.” I never really thought of this before, but it totally makes sense…not just a Christian ministry in name, but because the people involved are striving to be more Christ-like…

  10. Amber Van Schooneveld June 18, 2009

    Thanks, Wendy! It just took about 15 takes. 😉

  11. Wendy W June 18, 2009

    it is great! I am so blessed to be part of this in so many ways.

    PS to Amber V – you have my eye roll down.

  12. Jill Foley June 18, 2009

    BEAUTIFUL!

    The end really got me – now I’m in tears!

    Again, I love Compassion’s commitment to Christ and their desire to glorify HIM in everything!

  13. Compassion dave June 18, 2009

    Amen in deed…

  14. Amy Wallace June 18, 2009

    Can’t wait to hear about the 2 million children celebration 🙂

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