“Giving Thanks Lightened the Burden in My Heart”

Susan is posing outside with a group of children.

When I reached out to our staff across the globe to share messages of gratitude for Compassion’s Prayer Calendar, I didn’t expect to be as touched by their stories as I was.

The letter below is from Susan, who works in our Compassion Kenya office. She shares the impact of shifting from a heart of frustration to a heart of gratitude – and what that does for her spirit.

Continue Reading ›

Odette in Burkina Faso: “Would You Please Pray?”

Odette and another woman in Burkina Faso are wearing brightly colored clothing and standing outdoors together. One woman is holding two ceramic bowls

This month, I want you to meet Odette, a supervisor in our Compassion Burkina Faso office. Odette shared about her own childhood, growing up in rural Burkina Faso in a large family that struggled in desperate poverty … I was touched by her story, and as a sponsor, I was incredibly moved by the way she compares the staff in Compassion Burkina Faso with the love of her amazing mother.

Continue Reading ›
Elfego is happy because a neighbor saved his dogs, he was worried about them after he saw how the water covered his home.

When God Answered a Guatemalan Family’s Prayers

It has been such a pleasure sharing stories of thanksgiving from our field staff this year as part of the Compassion Prayer Network’s focus on gratitude. This month, I want you to meet Lidia, who works in public relations in our Compassion Guatemala office. Lidia shared with us the story of a Compassion-assisted child and his mother, Amelia. Lidia’s letter beautifully weaves together the disaster and the hope that Elfego and his family faced. I hope you find encouragement in this story and that it reminds you to look for the hope in the midst of difficult circumstances.

Continue Reading ›
A woman wearing a white dress and cape with red plaid decorations. She is standing outside with her hands together in front of her and her eyes closed.

Let’s Make 2021 an Epic Year of Gratitude and Praise

The only way through hard times is … well, through it. You can’t go over, under or around difficult seasons. You simply plow through, one step at a time. Last year was hard. And that didn’t go away because the calendar flipped to 2021. But there is good still in the world.

Continue Reading ›
Fortune, wearing a blue and white shirt and black pants, is sitting to the right of her mother, who is holding Divine, Fortune’s sister, on her lap. Fortune's mother is wearing an orange shirt and blue skirt.

These Kids in Togo Need Your Prayers This Christmas!

This Compassion center in southern Togo knows how to throw a memorable celebration at Christmastime. This year, however, a shadow of uncertainty is cast over the children and their families. COVID-19 restrictions have been enforced across Togo, prohibiting the center’s traditional Christmas gathering. Kids at the center are still grappling with what this Christmas will look like. Read their words below, and lift up a prayer for children like them around the world who are grieving this year.

Continue Reading ›
young boy with a huge smile sitting

4 Prayers of Praise During a Pandemic

Over the past several months, we’ve asked you to join us in praying specifically for the children and families living in poverty who have been disproportionately affected by the COVID-19 pandemic. You answered. And so did God. Today, we want to lift up prayers of praise to our God who has answered our prayers — and who will never forget the hungry, the forgotten or the oppressed.

Continue Reading ›
Densy is wearing a blue and white dress and is standing in front of her home. She is putting her hand up on the brick to show where the water was.

Why These Flood Survivors’ Heads Are Above Water

February feels like a lifetime ago now, doesn’t it? But on Feb. 29, we posted this prayer request in Compassion’s monthly prayer calendar: “Pray for the families of 1,558 children in Sri Lanka affected by recent heavy rains and flooding. Pray for grace and provision.”

Grace and provision. Those are things that we need today, too. That’s why we wanted to share with you some GOOD NEWS about Densy, whose family was among the thousands affected by flooding in Sri Lanka. As a reminder that God hears our prayers. He never stops listening.

Continue Reading ›
A girl runs toward the camera.

Children Answer the Question “What Makes You Happy?”

Children are good at finding joy in any situation, aren’t they? That’s why we asked Compassion-assisted children from across the globe to share with us the things that make them happy. We pray this will inspire you to look for the little things that you can praise God for today.

Continue Reading ›
A girl in a green shirt prays, with her hands to her face.

8 Verses to Pray Over the Child You Sponsor

These are uncertain times. Here are eight scriptures to guide you as you pray for the faith, safety and strength of the child you sponsor.

Continue Reading ›
A girl lies in bed while someone holds her hand.

You Prayed … and Jenny Mae Is Walking Again!

Compassion’s Prayer Network regularly prays for urgent needs around the world. Here is an inspiring update on one of the children we’ve prayed for!

Continue Reading ›
A girl holds a floral scarf, blowing behind her, while she turns and smiles at the camera.

International Literacy Day: A Tale of Two Girls

Every child deserves the same access to quality education. But they don’t all get it. Meet two girls, both who live in poverty but whose educational stories are very different.

Continue Reading ›
An up-close of fingers making the peace sign. Text: The Enneagram, the Gospel and Poverty

Can the Enneagram Help You Respond to Poverty?

We serve a God who cares deeply for the marginalized in society. The Bible is filled with holy calls for justice and compassion. But sometimes this call seems so colossal, we don’t know where to begin. But when we understand how we’re wired, our journey in helping those around us can become much more robust and tangible.

Continue Reading ›