We’re talking 1.8 million. That’s the record-breaking number of people who swarmed the US Capitol grounds on January 20, 2009, to watch the inauguration of President Barack Obama. That number—1.8 million—is also the heart-wrenching number of orphans struggling to survive in Uganda, the small country in East Africa where I live.
Daily, I witness some of Uganda’s parentless children striving to make it to “tomorrow.” Some beg. Some are forced into child labor. Some drop out of school to care for dying relatives. Some are placed in orphan homes. Others, sometimes as young as 5 years old, are trafficked and sexually exploited.
Today, make a difference on behalf of the millions of orphans around the world:
• Pray that those who intend to prey on children will not succeed. Exodus 22:22-23 says, “You must not exploit a widow or an orphan. If you exploit them in any way and they cry out to Me, then I will certainly hear their cry.”
• Pray for God’s people who are seeking justice on behalf of the orphans around the world. Ask God how you can support these little ones. “Give justice to the poor and the orphan; uphold the rights of the oppressed and the destitute. Rescue the poor and helpless; deliver them from the grasp of evil people” (Psalm 82:3-4).
• Ask God how you can help the orphans in your city or region. “Leave [a portion of your crops] for the foreigners, orphans, and widows. Then the Lord your God will bless you in all you do” (Deuteronomy 24:19)
Remember, “Pure and genuine religion in the sight of God the Father means caring for orphans and widows in their distress and refusing to let the world corrupt you” (James 1:27).
More:
• Deuteronomy 24:19-22
• Psalm 68:5
Next:
How does God view orphans? What needs to change in my view of them, and how will this change affect my actions?
garymax on November 5, 2009 at 8:58 am
Thanks Roxanne. I work in a ministry to orphans and deeply appreciate your comments. Certainly we are all living in challenging economic times but even the “poorest” of us, are extremely prosperous compared to those who have nothing. Donations to all ministries are down, ours too, though the needs are greater. I encourage every Christian to thank God for their comparative “wealth” and to remember orphans and others, who have so much less. Pray about and look for a “helps ministry” you can personally help support. Even a little, consistently given, means so much. We honor God when we remember the poor, even when we feel money is tight, or perhaps ESPECIALLY when we feel money is tight. God loves a CHEERFUL giver. Find some ministry helping the poor that you can come along side to support.
purestrength on November 5, 2009 at 9:29 am
On Monday night at our church a young woman shared with us about her life in an orphanage in Eastern Europe. Though she was 5 years old she remembers what it was like to be tired and cold and so hungry, Her life was changed when she received a shoe box one Christmas and she turned her life over to Jesus. The shoe box filled with good things came from Operation Christmas Child. Check out the website to see how you can become involved. http://www.samaritanspurse.org/
mtshawaii on November 5, 2009 at 2:12 pm
There’s a ministry that works specifically with people who are abused in the trades of slavery, sex trafficking, sexual violence and more. It’s called International Justice Mission (IJM). Their Pres/CEO Gary Haugen spoke at our church. They do incredible work. But they seem to need all the help they can get. You can find out more at their website:
http://www.ijm.org/