Prayer for Children in Conflict

A boy wearing a blue and yellow shirt sits among wood and rocks in the Philippines.

When crises such as war and natural disasters happen, it’s easy to feel helpless. We have no control over the situation. But there is something we can do: We can pray.

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A Call to Prayer for Ukraine — My Country, My Home

the blue and white Ukraine flag is flying against a blue sky and treeline sillhouette

My whole world came to a halt the moment I read the news of Russia’s invasion of my homeland. I scrambled for my phone to contact friends and family in Kyiv and southwest Ukraine, praying that they were safe. Tears filled my eyes as I thought of my niece — the child I held in my arms when she was just a baby. A temporary sense of relief washed over me when I received word, one-by-one, that each person I know was safe — for now.

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Raphael is wearing a yellow shirt with blue, white, and yellow plaid shorts. He is siting outside his home with his mother and siblings. They are praying before they eat. Each of them has a bowl of food in front of them.

How to Pray for Children

How and why people pray vary by church, culture and life circumstances. Prayer doesn’t need to be a formal, ritualized practice. It’s simply a conversation with God that we can strike up in any number of ways. Still, it’s interesting to considerthe many reasons, places and times people pray, and the wide variety of methods used. 

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Girl wearing a pink shirt. She is inside her home and is praying. She has her hands folded in front of her chest.

About Prayer

Prayer is an integral part of our programs and work. Here’s what the Bible says about prayer and why we believe prayer is so important.

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5 Reasons Why Children Are the Heart of Compassion

There are a lot of ways to fight poverty and share the love of Jesus. At Compassion, we focus on children. They are the heart of everything we do. Here are five reasons why.

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Susan is posing outside with a group of children.

“Giving Thanks Lightened the Burden in My Heart”

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.

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

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

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.

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Meshack: Living His Best Life After 6 Surgeries and Many Prayers

Fourteen years ago, Elizabeth had never heard the words “nasal encephalocele.” The Kenyan mother sat in a hospital ward, looking down at her baby. She noticed a small lump under his nose but didn’t worry. Her husband, Tunaiyo, was completing the hospital discharge process to take home their baby boy, Meshack. As the delighted family settled in at home with their new baby, they noticed that the lump under Meshack’s nose kept growing.

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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.

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Suchat, a boy in Thailand, smiles and holds his hands in prayer. He is wearing a white collared shirt. A rural home and plants are seen behind him

6 Weekly Prayers for Children in Poverty This Lent

For the next 40 days (plus Sundays), Christians around the world will recognize the season of Lent. Please enjoy this mini Lent prayer guide that includes a portion of Scripture, thought and prayer for each week over the next six weeks. Also, because we know that you’re busy and juggling multiple priorities, we’ve included a set of prayer reminder cards!

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Antonio is wearing a blue shirt and red shorts. He is standing outside with a rice field behind him and he is holding up a sign that says God Bless You.

25 Children in Poverty Share Encouraging Messages for Hard Times

After one of the most challenging years of their young lives, children from all over the world still have inspiring messages of hope.

Just as their families and Compassion tutors have supported them through the struggles caused by the pandemic, the children have handwritten, heartfelt signs of encouragement to share with YOU. Their message — from Nicaragua to Tanzania, Bangladesh to Ecuador — is beautiful: You are loved, you are not alone, and you will get through this.

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Samuel, in a white shirt, María Salome, in a fuchsia t-shirt, and Maria Angelica, in denim overalls, are running home along a dirt, gravel road while holding the Illustrated Bibles they received at the project.

Just the Message of Hope You Needed Today

I love words and always have. Early on, I began collecting the words of others. From famous quotes I integrated into my papers to the collection of handwritten notes I gathered from beloved family members, the beauty of words were clear to me. And yet, as a young woman with a sensitive heart, I also felt the pain of a harshly spoken word or a message delivered with a cold attitude.

During this tumultuous time, specific words are needed — the gospel, a message of hope.

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