Pray for Community Transformation

Across Africa and Asia, faithful brothers and sisters are taking the life-transforming love of Christ to hard-to-reach communities. They need our prayers as they continue in this good work. And, just as Jesus instructed His followers to do, we need to pray that God will raise up even more laborers who will go to people in need (see Matthew 9:37-38).

Pray for those already serving in needy areas—that the Lord will strengthen and encourage them and help them to not grow weary in their calling. Pray that God will show them the best ways to meet practical needs in their communities. Additionally, ask God to raise up more brothers and sisters to go to hard-to-reach areas. Pray that they will hear His voice and that they will have courage to follow where He leads.

Transformation starts on the inside as people embrace the love of the One who gives abundant life (see John 10:10). Every day, more people experience Christ’s compassion through avenues such as literature, income-generating gifts, church services or our missionaries’ prayers. As a result of these encounters, many people come to experience Christ’s peace and hope for the first time in their lives.

Pray that as people encounter Christ's compassion, they will embrace Christ’s love and have life in His name (see John 20:31). Pray that they will experience transformation in their own lives and that their newfound hope and peace will impact their families, too.

One of Jesus’ biggest ministries during His time on earth involved healing the sick. Today, poor health and hygiene continue to be major causes of suffering around the world, with millions dying from preventable or treatable causes every year. Through health seminars, free medical camps and, soon, a state-of-the-art hospital in Rwanda, GFA World provides help in Jesus’ name to families in desperate need of health care.

Please pray that families who attend health and hygiene training will implement the practices they learn and that they will be healthier and stronger as a result. Pray that God will provide the doctors, nurses and supplies necessary to host many free medical camps this year. Pray also that the Lord will provide the resources necessary for the completion and opening of the hospital in Rwanda. Finally, please pray that the Great Physician will heal both bodies and hearts through GFA’s health-care initiatives.

One of the most powerful tools in the fight against poverty is education. With education, children can rise above the cycle of poverty and get good jobs, charting a brighter tomorrow for themselves and their future families. Sadly, in many impoverished areas, education often has to take a backseat to more pressing needs, such as food. Through GFA World’s Child Sponsorship Program, we help meet those most pressing needs while also boosting children, their families and their communities toward a brighter future. Through practical solutions such as nutritional supplements, funding for school fees, family counseling and awareness events, we have come alongside 142,000 children, their families and their communities to help bring transformation—all in the name of Jesus.

Pray for each child currently in the sponsorship program—that they will thrive physically, spiritually, emotionally and mentally. Pray that as sponsored children, their families and their communities receive the help they need, they will be overwhelmed by the love Jesus desires for them to experience. And pray that God will provide the resources, relationships and staff needed for more sponsorship projects to open so that even more children and communities can have a brighter future.

Another powerful tool in the fight against poverty is income-generating gifts. Whether it’s a sewing machine, a pair of goats or a chicken, a simple gift can boost a family’s ability to make a more sustainable income. Each year, our field partners help about 150,000 families receive the means to break the cycle of poverty.

Please pray that each family who has received an income-generating gift will experience transformation, not just in their financial situation but in every area of life. Pray that gifts will remain in good condition, providing long-lasting blessing for recipients. And pray for more resources so that thousands more families can experience the life-transforming compassion of Christ.

In villages across Africa and Asia, the struggle for clean, accessible water is a daily reality. Many people spend hours fetching water—hours they could have spent earning an income or going to school—only to repeat the process the next time their water supply runs low. And even when water isn’t far away, it’s often unsafe, causing sickness and even death in those who drink it. The provision of clean, accessible water transforms life for entire villages, enabling people to live healthier, more productive lives. Since 2007, GFA World has installed 40,000 Jesus Wells and provided 39 million people with safe, pure drinking water—but the need is still vast.

Please pray God will provide the resources to establish even more clean water initiatives in suffering villages. Pray that the clean water initiatives we have already established will continue to serve families and communities for years to come. Pray that each water project will provide a continual reminder of Christ’s compassion—and that through these projects, many more communities will be transformed.