2007 Prayer Gathering

2007-07-09T20:08:00.001-05:00

The 2007 Children's Cup Forty Days of Prayer Online Prayer Gathering is located at:

fortydays.childrenscup.org

Please join us - thanks for praying!

Be sure to check out Children’s Cup to do what we do. Those of you who support Children’s Cup through prayer, giving or even going to the field for short-term missions projects all are very very important to us. We are convinced that it is your prayers that have sustained us when we have needed strength, and provided the resources when they were most needed.

So today, we pray for the children by asking God to continue to bless you and the rest of the Children’s Cup Cupbearers. We pray for your families - for strengthened relationships, for healing, for strength during times when families are separated due to military service. We pray for direction in your lives. We pray for God’s protection on your children, and for His hand to be on them everywhere they go. We pray that God will bless your businesses, your employers and employees. We pray that God will make you beacons of light and God’s hope to your co-workers, neighbors and loved ones. We pray for anointing in your lives as God gives you opportunity to show people His love and grace. We pray that God will increase your capacity to serve Him in your local church. We pray for increased blessing on you so that you can bless others. We pray that the power of the Holy Spirit will fill you as you continue to pray for the children and for His blessing on your resources as you continue to provide for the work Children’s Cup is doing with them.

Today we have invited a great friend of Children's Cup to lead us in prayer. Lee Domingue is a tremendous example of being a 'CupBearer - his heart and passion for doing God's will in everything is both inspiring and a blessing to everyone around him. Lee recently was in Mozambique and Swaziland with a team from Healing Place Church.

Dear Heavenly Father, You are our Source! There is no other.

Lord, stretch us all to the knowledge of knowing that Your resources come to us only to go thru us. Your word says in II Corinthians 9:8 that all grace may abound to You, that You have sufficiency in all things but an ABUNDANCE for every good work. Your sufficiency is more than enough! Lord, I pray for creative efficient ideas and divine favor upon all the 'Cup team, the children and CupBearers. Open up doors that have been closed, restore relationships that have been severed, remove shame from our pasts so we can walk in the fullest of Your purpose for our lives! In Jesus name!

Thank You, Lord, for allowing our eyes to be opened and our comfort zone to be turned upside down. Let us see the children as You see them. Continue to give uncommon favor and access to Children’s Cup to make a difference in Africa. Cause even the government officials to find favor with what You are doing thru Children’s Cup. Cup is Your vehicle Lord to reach the children of Africa. We pray a blessing of exponential increase and sustained blessing to all CupBearers’ who have Your heart to pray, give and go. Give us grace so that our desires will line up with Your heart. Let us never limit You to our last blessing. You are El-Shaddai….the God of More than Enough!

We love You, Jesus!

If you have a prayer need that you'd like to include here, please add it to the comments on this post and we'll be sure to pray for you today.

And feel free to come back here to let us know of the answers to your prayers as God meets them.

Thanks again for praying. Please stay connected with Children's Cup through the 'Cup website (www.childrenscup.org) and the 'Cup team members' blogs:

Dave Ohlerking (daveohlerking.blogspot.com)
Jean Ohlerking (jeanohlerking.blogspot.com)
Ben Rodgers (benrodgers.blogspot.com)
Susan Rodgers (susanrodgers.blogspot.com)
Patrick Conti (patrickconti.blogspot.com)
Daran and Teresa Rehmeyer (rehmeyers.blogspot.com)
Charles and Kristen Young (charlesandkristen.blogspot.com)
Dan Ohlerking (danohlerking.blogspot.com)

God bless you for being such a blessing to the children in the broken and hard places of the world.

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According to a recent BBC report,

“Swaziland is one of the countries most severely affected [by AIDS]. Four in every 10 people are HIV positive. A decade ago life expectancy was 61. Now it is just 37. Soon it will be 30. By the end of next year it is thought a third of all children will be without parents.”'

Children's Cup is doing all we can to help alleviate the suffering brought to the children as a result of AIDS. But we also believe that there is another answer. We believe that God has told us to ask people to pray with us for miracles of healing for people with AIDS.

It is not too hard a thing for God to do. For the sake of the children, join us in prayer that God will begin to heal the men, women and children who we encounter - whether they are HIV-positive or have full-blown AIDS. There is nothing too hard for God. Let’s continue to ask together and believe.

Today, Dave Ohlerking, a veteran missionary of more than 36 years and well over 100 countries is leading us in prayer. Children's Cup was birthed by a directive from the Holy Spirit to Dave and his wife Jean nearly 14 years ago.

From our perspective, Lord, this is a big one—but not to You.

The 'Cup family is asking You to stun the world by healing AIDS. Start with the 5,000+ precious little ones You have given Children’s Cup to care for.

You know everyone of these precious children’s names—we recall them to You now and ask for Your sovereign intervention.

AIDS is an issue that is defining and measuring the church. How the Body of Christ responds to this global pandemic reveals how we really believe.

None of us doubt You have the power to do this. We have personally experienced your healing power. Is it because although we believe You can do it, we don’t really believe You will?

You said, “Ask in My name.”

None of us doubt Your Word that says You are “touched by the feelings of our infirmities” which means You felt the pain and grief of AIDS on Calvary.

In fact, Calvary was for this.

On the cross You said, “It is finished!” Be it even as You said.

Draw us closer to Your heart — past whatever it is in our hearts that limits the answer to our prayers for this miracle.

Lord, we do believe. Help us with any unbelief that stands in the way.

In Jesus’ name, Amen.

Thanks again for joining us in prayer. Tomorrow is our day of prayer for you. Please be sure to send us your prayer requests so we can include them in our prayer. And let's keep praying for the children - even when the 40 days are completed....

Thanks for your faithfulness to pray during the 40 days of prayer.
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Please pray for us as we begin to develop plans to hold church services in CarePoints. Pray that we will have favor with the communities and that we will be wise with each step we take. Pray for divine direction in this. And pray that each service that is held will be full of God’s presence and that people’s lives will be changed as a result. Pray for ministers - pastors, worship leaders, musicians, and workers of all types to join in the effort.

Pray that the additional resources will be there as they are needed. Pray that churches in the USA and other supporting countries will catch the vision and get behind the effort to take the Gospel to the communities where our CarePoints have opened the door by earning the trust of the people.

Lord, I believe with all that is in me that You are the originator of the strategy of "show and tell" evangelism. You did it yourself when you walked this earth as one of us - You healed the sick and hurting, showed astounding love and relentless mercy to people everywhere You went. This is what we're asking You to help us do today: The care given and relationships formed at the CarePoints that Children's Cup has established have created an opportunity to go the next step in ministering to the needs of these precious children and communities. Now that we've shown them Your love, the door is open to tell them who You are.

Adapting the CarePoints will require resources, leadership, workers, pastors, and a whole lot of continued prayer. But we know that You already have the answers to all of these needs ready and waiting. So we ask You to speak to people about their involvement. We ask you to send laborers into this very very ripe harvest. We ask for churches to catch the vision for this, and we ask that You'd give the Children's Cup team clear direciton about where and when and how to step into the ministry opportunity You have opened up to us.

Thank You for Your faithfulness - yet again, Lord.

Amen.

Thanks for praying with us today. Please be sure to join us this weekend for the final two days. We will be praying once again for HEALING FROM AIDS (DAY #39) and on DAY #40, we'll be praying for your needs. As our 'CupBearers, your needs are our needs - your concerns are our concerns, your loved ones are our loved ones.

So, between now and Sunday, be sure to let us know your prayer needs by sending us an email at info@childrenscup.org and let us know how we can pray for you.
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The precious lives of little children are touched at this CarePoint every time the doors open. There they encounter people who love them genuinely - unlike many of the adults they have met and been abused by. They are fed, taught about Jesus, given basic education, medical care, and a place to belong. And it is all about giving them an encounter with Jesus. Pray that as they encounter Him, they find the abundant life that He gives.

Today, a long-time friend of Children's Cup and pastor of Family Tabernacle, Matt Anzivino is leading us in prayer for the Mangwaneni Mbabane CarePoint.

Father, as we come to You...we ask that you would cleanse us from all unrighteousness. As we approach Your throne in humility...we also come boldly...thanking You for the cleansing power of Jesus’ Blood. Even though most of us have a hard time spelling...let alone pronouncing where these children live...You know each of them by name...and they are precious in Your sight...it breaks our hearts to hear how they are abused...God, to think that anyone could do something so evil is beyond our comprehension...and yet, this is exactly why Children’s Cup is there...we believe that You have set up this CarePoint right in the middle of the enemy's camp...so that these children can experience...not just life...but abundant life. Father we know that our wrestle is not against flesh and blood...but against principalities and powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this age, against spiritual hosts of wickedness in the Heavenly places...so God bind the power of the enemy...and set at liberty those who are chained by the powers of darkness. As David prayed in Psalms 68; “Let God Arise...and Your enemies be scattered...as wax melts before the fire...so let the wicked perish at the presence of God.” Now Father we lift up to You each minister and faithful volunteer who work there...we pray that each one would be protected by Your angels and anointed by Your Holy Spirit. As they touch these children...touch through them...as they speak...speak through them...as they teach...teach through them...God we pray that as the children of Mangwaneni Mbabane encounter the ministers of Children’s Cup...we pray that these children would encounter You!

We pray this believing that You hear our prayers...and will answer according to Your perfect will...in Jesus Name, Amen!
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Nkobe is the newest of the CarePoints, and the first within the borders of Mozambique. Construction is just getting underway, but the first step was to install a well (locals refer to it as a “borehole”). Doing this has brought people to the property and we have already begun showing them the love of God simply by serving them, feeding them and giving them a cup of cold water in Jesus’ name. Pray for the leaders of this project to have wisdom in its development. Pray for resources to see the project through. Pray for those who will minister to hurting people at this facility. Pray for the new church that is being planned for inside this CarePoint. And pray that above all, God would be glorified through everything and that children and adults would find eternal life because of it.

Today we are especially blessed to have Joe Martin (pictured above), president of ITI Technical College in Baton Rouge leading us in prayer. Joe was recently able to visit the Nkobe CarePoint, and participated in the groundbreaking ceremony for the building which will serve as both a carepoint and a church with room for about 200 people to worship. At the groundbreaking ceremony, there were over 600 in attendance. Joe saw it and this is his prayer for the Nkobe CarePoint:

Heavenly Father, we are so grateful for the opportunity afforded us to preach the gospel in Mozambique. You called us to preach the Word in every nation and now You have given us this opportunity in the township of Nkobe. We thank You for the church property that is being developed into a community outreach. That will help the people build their own community. As the people come to the water well to satisfy their natural thirst, we ask that You impart to them a thirst for Your river of life. A river that brings fullness of joy by filling every desire of their heart. I ask that You touch the village leaders, that they accept the salvation of Jesus Christ and become spiritual leaders of their community.

We bind the spiritual darkness that has covered this area for generations. We bind it in Jesus' name. We bind generational curses, witchcraft, and false religions. Father, please touch these beautiful people who are so hungry for your love. Bless their crops, their homes, and their community.

We ask that the pastor You have chosen for this work would hear Your call, that he would be drawn to such a work as this. Bless this pastor physically, mentally, and financially to be set free to do Your will. Protect him and his family as they enter the harvest field We bind the enemy who would try to stop this work of God, we bind them in Jesus' name. Please continue to bless Children's Cup. Bless its leadership and ministers, protect them as they do your work in Africa. Amen.

Thanks again for praying with us today. In the coming weeks and months as you hear reports from the field of what God is doing - remember that it is your prayers that have paved the way for the miracles to happen, and made it possible for us to give people the opportunity to encounter God's extravagant love and his outreageous grace.
Be sure to check out Children’s Cup has grown rapidly, we have been blessed to maintain a small staff in the US office, playing a tremendously vital part in what Children’s Cup does. Please pray for this team (June Edwards and Dan and Vicki Ohlerking) that God will bless them with creativity, connections, resources, and anointing as they communicate what God is doing to supporters, and steward the business of Children’s Cup with integrity. Pray that because they do what they do, churches will engage, new missionaries will be sent, and supporters will be inspired - and as a result, more children will be led to a saving knowledge of Jesus.

Today we'd like to ask you to pray - each of you who are participating in this online version of the FORTY DAYS OF PRAYER FOR THE CHILDREN - if you would like to share your prayer for the stateside team, please click COMMENTS below and leave your prayer there.

Thank you so much for praying today, and for the last 33 days. Much has been invested in the spiritual realm during this time, and we can be sure that God will give us a great return on that investment in the coming days, weeks and months.
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Over the past year, the Children’s Cup team in Africa has more than doubled in size. This has allowed us to respond to the many opportunities that God has presented us. We also have several others who are lining up to join the team over the coming year. Please pray for the resources to get these people to the field and for the wisdom to assemble this team strategically so that the impact of each team member is the greatest it can be. Please pray for the people who we have already contacted us about joining the team, and pray for those who God will speak to in the future. Pray that the right people will be at the right place at the right time - for the sake of helping us reach hurting children with the hope of Jesus Christ.

Randy Hickman and his wife Patti pastor Family Christian Center in North Carolina, and today we are blessed to have Randy lead us in prayer:

Father, I approach You very boldly today knowing You want to give good things to Your children So I ask for healing for these, Your children, suffering today. We ask that the great and worthy task of caring for Your children, carried out in such a wonderful way by Your servants of Children's Cup, be made lighter by the visitation, comfort and direction of Your Holy Spirit. We have lifted up Your servants to You this month and believe that You are responding to our prayers in a powerful way and that the effects of our prayers are evident in Africa today. Today we pray for those who You are just now calling to this important work, be it to go or to send. We thank You in advance for those churches who will receive the vision and the call to get involved and expect a great harvest because of it. Truly the fields are white, please send laborers and stir the hearts of the whole world. Please bless our friends on the front lines in every way and may the sense of the fellowship of brothers be felt today.

In Jesus' Name,

So be it.

Thanks again for praying with us. Prayer is more powerful than many of us realize.
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The word "makholweni" means “the place of the Christians” and this area is named Makholweni because of the numerous churches located around it. Unfortunately, due to the large number of children and apathy among most of the local churches, the many fatherless children are left out. Makholweni is outside of the city limits so it doesn’t have access to many of the utilities and development of the city. Pray that as the children come to the CarePoint in Makholweni they not only find their physical needs met, but that they find the love of Jesus and the hope He gives. Pray that from this and other CarePoints will come leaders and world-changers - fully-devoted servants of Jesus Christ.

Let's pray together for the kids at the Makholweni CarePoint:

Jesus, we ask You today to touch the children in the Makholweni area. Those who have been "left out" of the attention of the local church - we know they have never been left out of Your thoughts. Each child in this area is a child that You died for - just as You did for us. They are precious in Your sight.

Lord, we ask for You to provide for them, to show them Your extravagant love and Your outrageous grace. Let these kids not only be rescued from the debilitating poverty many of them face daily, but also let them rise up and become leaders in their community - the kind of leaders who will spark revival in their part of the world. Change their world by changing them. And let the whole world see it and may many others be inspired to turn to You.

Let Your extravagant love and outrageous grace turn this community upside-down. And be glorified in doing so. It's about You. And it's about the children.

It's about Your children.

Thanks for praying with us today. Please feel free to leave a comment or include your own prayer here by clicking "comments" below.
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In Siswati, the local language of Swaziland, "moneni" means “place of jealousy.” This community is the home of several very powerful traditional leaders for this part of the country. Many children are left on their own here while the single parent tries to find work. Many of our children at this CarePoint are extremely creative and come up with some very inspiring plays. They have even performed their skits at several government functions. Please pray that the children of the Moneni CarePoint will continue to encounter Jesus Christ in very real ways. Pray that they will spread the love they have received from Him to their parents and other children in the community.

Today we're honored and blessed to have Rob Ketterling, a long-time friend of Children's Cup and pastor of River Valley Church in Minnesota, leading us in prayer for the Moneni CarePoint.

Father God,

We pray for the Moneni Carepoint in Swaziland. We're asking for You to continue to bless all of the children and staff at this CarePoint and that they would continue to experience You in so many real ways. As their name means "place of jealousy" I pray that they would become a place that others want to be like and that they could lead the way. May they use the creative gifts that You have given them to be leaders and to make inroads into places they have never been before. May others see the joy and the hope that they have and be filled with a desire to have what they have.

As these children experience Your love may they pass it on and live in the abundance that there is no limit to Your love and that they will multiply it for others to share in it. May their friends and families be touched by You and I pray that this CarePoint would reach many people with the love of Jesus. Continue to bless all those that labor there and may they be refreshed and recharged as they serve You by loving the least of these.

I ask for favor on their CarePoint and for You to do exceedingly abundantly above all we could ask or think. Let their creativity lead the way as they follow You. Bring miracles and blessing to them in Jesus' name.

Amen.

Thanks for praying with us today! Only 9 more days in Forty Days of Prayer for the Children - press in hard during these last remaining days and ask God to do the impossible. He is able.
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Children’s Cup just recently began reaching into this country - another war-torn land. A decade ago, civil war saw some of the most brutal and terrifying genocide in the world’s history. Through partnership with Joyce Meyer Ministries, Children’s Cup has been able to be a part of an effort to minister every one of the 72,000 inmates of Rwanda’s prisons. Pray for the children of these inmates, and pray that God will use Children’s Cup to show them how much He loves them.

Today we have the incredible blessing of having Jay Miller, pastor of The Family Church in Lafayette, Louisiana lead us in prayer for Rwanda.

Father today we lift up the country of Rwanda to You - specifically, the 72,000 inmates in the many prisons. Father I thank You for the ministries that were able to sow seeds of Your great love into many of these lives and hearts in the recent past. We pray for the children of these many prisoners. Father give Children’s Cup the wisdom and favor needed to be able to reach these kids. May thousands of kids feel the love of their heavenly Father through the touch and outreach methods of Children’s Cup. Lord only You know of the pain and destruction of the heart that is caused by fighting, war, and civil un-rest. We ask that You would mend the broken, heal the sick, and set at liberty those who are in bondage. Father we thank You in advance for the miracle testimonies that we will come from this part of the world, due to the love that has been given them. Thank You Father for allowing us to be a part of the wide-world harvest of these last days.

Amen.

Thanks again for joining us in prayer. Be blessed today as you continue to pray for the children.
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Among Patrick Conti's many ministries, the “vacation” camps he hosts are maybe the most outstanding of all. School in Swaziland is on three months and off for one. During that off month, he, along with some other workers, hold camp for different age groups. The camps are usually 3 days, two nights. During this time the kids learn about Jesus, about AIDS and AIDS prevention; get proper personal hygiene instruction; play all sorts of sports; and eat good meals. Most that attend camp come back having given their hearts to Jesus. Pray that these camps can continue tobe effective in discipling Swazi kids for the Lord.

We are blessed today to have Debra Parker, the Elementary Principal from Parkview Baptist School lead us in prayer today.

Father: Praise You for loving, committed people who sacrifice it all to serve You in a land far from home. Thank You for the opportunity to be a part of their ministry through our prayers and support. Praise You for Children's Cup and the vision of its leaders. Continue to richly bless this ministry.

What an awesome idea to have vacation camps for the Swazi kids. All kids love camp, so thank You that You have provided this experience for these kids. I pray that You would use Pat and the other workers in a mighty way - that lives would be changed as children come to know Jesus personally, that His love would become real to the kids, that the kids would have a joyous time, and at the same time equip them with the knowledge and provision needed to improve their lives and health.

Father, provide all that is needed for the vacation camps, protect the children and workers, and send Your Holy Spirit to do a work in many lives.

I pray all this in the precious, most holy name of Jesus. Amen.

And again today, we have posted the prayer that Jean Ohlerking put on her blog for today's prayer topic.

Father, I well remember the summer Bible camps I attended. I made new friends and reestablished old ones.

We played sports and did handcrafts and had Bible lessons.

And we had church. Boy did we have church!

Lord I thank you for those wonderful times.

And now we are having vacation Bible camps for our CarePoint kids. How exciting!

I just pray that these kids come away from their days at the camps having made new friends, enjoying sports activities and handcrafts. And loving learning the old Bible stories and applying them to their own lives.

Especially I ask that the "church" services are a time of spiritual awakening. That their souls are enlighened to the ways of the Holy Spirit. That they join their voices together in praise and worship to our God.

That they are forever changed. That they determine to serve you the rest of their lives. That through these children you can bring revival to a beautiful country. That you can begin to work miracles in body and soul throughout the land...

...for your Glory.

In Jesus' name,
Amen.

Thanks for joining us in prayer today. It is making a difference - bank on it.
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Patrick Conti is one of the kindest, most polite, and most daring individuals you’ll as hugged dirty kids, prayed with hurting volunteers, listened to tales of sad life-stories, played soccer, and danced the Swazi dance (just to “impress” the kids at camp). Everybody loves Pat. Pray that he will continue to be anointed in his ministry to the youth, and that they respond to God’s love by making Jesus Lord of their lives.

We are honored today to have Ben Abu Saada, worship leader at Grace Church in Overland Park, Kansas lead us in prayer today for Patrick.

Lord,

Today we lift up Patrick Conti. We thank You for inspiring people like Pat to reach others with the love You have for them. We ask that You would continue to work in the life of Pat to reach youth. Give Pat the strength, wisdom, clarity and direction to reach a generation that at times has no hope. Let Pat share the hope that can only be found in You. We thank you for the blood You shed for us all and ask for Your special anointing and blessing today on Patrick Conti. In Your precious Name,

Amen!

Thanks for joining us in prayer today. Please feel free to leave a comment here and we encourage you to visit Ben Abu Saada's blog today and get to know more about him and Grace Church.
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Today we have posted the prayer that Jean Ohlerking put on her blog for the Mangwaneni Manzini CarePoint:

For all the children, the neighbors, the volunteers, the cooks, the teachers, the gardener, the missionaries...we ask for blessings of love and joy and peace. For health and happiness. For the contentment of knowing who they are in Christ. For a great passion for serving Jesus. For personal salvation. For the blessed Hope.

Especially, Lord, I am asking for that little girl I met the last time I was there. She was about 10 or 12 years old, wearing a green sweater. She was so happy to have me give her a hug. She came back and hugged me again and again. Her eyes were so full of sadness... Please give her the health she needs. Give her a safe place to sleep. Protect her from molesters. As she partakes of the food and healthcare and education we are so privileged to offer her at this CarePoint, I pray she accepts You as her personal Savior. Give her the peace that passes all understanding. Make her a soul winner and a peace maker. Use her for Your glory.

In Jesus' name,
Amen.

Jean Ohlerking has posted a prayer for each day of the Forty Days of Prayer for the Children - please visit her blog - her perspective from personal experience in Africa will help you understand more about the children we're praying for.
Be sure to check out Celebration Church in Round Rock, Texas lead us in prayer for the Murray Camp CarePoint.

Heavenly Father,

We thank You for Your love and care to those who are forgotten by the world. We thank You that You are a father to the fatherless, and a mother to the motherless; and because of that, we have hope today. We ask You to bless and move through these children in a mighty way. Your word declares, that You use the weak and despised things to confound the wise and the world. Through these vessels, we pray Your glory would manifest and make impact in the outskirts of Manzini. We pray that Children’s Cup would receive this day their daily bread: the bread of Your presence, the bread of Your strength, the bread of Your encouragement, the bread of Your provision, the bread of contacts and relationships, the bread of new opportunities, the bread of vision, the bread of love, hope and faith. In these days of pressure, we pray that they would be filled with wisdom to know what to do and when to do it and what to say and how to say it. Through this ministry, we pray that not only people are touched, but powers and principalities and rulers in heavenly places are affected and moved. Lord, we look to You for Your life to manifest in all of these children, workers and staff, so that Your light would be seen throughout this community and people would come to You. We ask for Your kingdom to come and Your will to be done in every area.

In Jesus’ Name, Amen.

Thanks for praying with us today.
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Pray for the children at this CarePoint in the Manzini area. Patrick Conti wrote this about a little girl he met one afternoon at this CarePoint: “She looked like a skeleton. Her eyes told the story of a hard 16 years even though her physical characteristics looked more like a 9 year old. She’s had diarrhea for as long as she can remember - which is usually a sign of full blown AIDS. Can we help this girl? If I go with percentages, its most likely she won’t make it another year...

I can’t go with percentages, we can’t turn a blind eye, we can’t turn from her because we want to protect our hearts from pain...from what seems like a certainty for her, death...we can’t turn and do nothing. I don’t know how this story plays out, but I know we will pray for this girl, love this girl, and help this girl as much as we can. I also know that when Charles & I were playing with the children she was in there with the rest of them. God allowed us to see her smile, to see her laugh and play without the weight of life on her shoulders. What a privilege it was to give this girl a day of good memories, of joy, of hope. Please pray that we can get the assistance this girl needs. HIV is horrible, I hate it...but I gotta stay in this fight, I got to keep on loving, I got to show people hope & love...I got to help train a new generation how to live the right way, a way that leads to abundant life, that avoids HIV/AIDS.”

Today we are incredibly blessed to have leading us in prayer the children's pastor from Healing Place Church who has been to Africa several times to work with these children - Sherrie May.

How do I begin God…? How am I supposed to pray? It is not so simple …

I know You see all things, and You certainly see this child and so many… too many, that she represents. I can’t begin to understand her pain. I can’t begin to understand how she feels in her heart and body, but You God know all things. Together, with others who read this, we join our hearts and our faith together on behalf of this little girl. See past our emotions and lack of words to express what we are feeling and see this little girl right now... We pray today based on Your word that You are first of all a God who heals. We are not shyly asking for anything short of a miracle on her behalf. Together, we are believing for a total and complete healing of her body and circumstances. Your word says You are the same yesterday, today and forever. I just ask now that Your heart be moved to help this child. Let her life be a witness of the power and healing found only in You and that it be manifested in the flesh as she finds the happiness and peace and freedom she deserves as one of Your children. Bring her into the blessed life I know You have for her. As much as our hearts ache today for this little girl, I know Your heart hurts even more. We stand together in agreement with Jesus, that You are meeting her needs even now.

Thank you for praying with us for this little girl - and for hundreds - thousands more like her that we are reaching out to through the CarePoints in southern Africa.
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This is the largest urban/peri-urban community in Swaziland. It covers a vast area so the kids at this CarePoint have to walk long distances to get to it. The communities at Ngwane Park really are actively involved in making the ministry to the children a success. Located on a large piece of land down by a small river, they have planted a big garden to help supplement the food provided by Children’s Cup. Please pray that through this CarePoint, God will touch hundreds - even thousands - of precious children and give them a future and a hope in Jesus.

Today, Steve Ware from the staff at Parkview Baptist High School is leading us in prayer.

Jesus, we lift up the Ngwane Park CarePoint and ask for Your blessings. Reveal Your love to the children of this area through the meals that are provided. Touch their hearts as their bellies get fed. We pray that the children would come to know and worship You. Give them hope and show them Your hands of grace and mercy.

Lord, provide food and workers for this CarePoint. May there always be an abundance of Your blessings in this area. Bless the land, touch it with Your power, and raise up this community as You touch Swaziland.

We love you Jesus! Amen!

Join us in prayer today - click COMMENTS below and enter your own prayer for the children at the Ngwane Park CarePoint. Thanks for praying!
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Knowing that God had called her and her husband Charles to Africa, Kristen willingly put the comforts of home in America behind her, trusting in the Lord’s protection, and embraced their new lives in Swaziland. Now she serves with Teresa Rehmeyer in the medical clinics and helps Charles in his work with the youth. She also uses her skills to bless the other missionaries with really great haircuts! Pray that she and Charles continue to thrive in their ministry. Pray that thousands of Africa’s children will know the love of God because Kristen followed the call of God with her husband on their lives to go serve on the mission field.

Today we have invited Colleen Thorp, an Elevate student who was part of the team we prayed for on Day 3, to lead us in prayer for Kristen.

Lord God, we thank You so much for Kristen Young and her heart to serve Your children in Africa on the Children's Cup team. Thank You for her obedience to Your call and her love for the hurting. We pray that You would continue to stengthen her physically, mentally and spiritually. Give her guidance and instruction in the tasks of every day. Holy Spirit, fan in her a passionate flame for this ministry, and overflow her heart with Your love and compassion for the people of Swaziland. Jesus, I pray that You would bless and protect her marriage with Charles. As they draw closer to You, bring them closer to one another. Please provide for Kristen and Charles financially so that they can continue in the work You have called them and that they will always trust in You alone.

I thank You sweet Jesus that you have made Kristen as a woman after God's own heart. Encourage her this day and always.

Join us in prayer today - if you want to leave a prayer here, you can click COMMENTS below and enter your own prayer for Kristen and the children she's working to reach.

Also, if you'd like to be included on the Children's Cup mailing list, send an email to us at info@childrenscup.org.
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Charles and Kristen Young have recently joined the Children's Cup team and have already made a huge impact on the youth of Swaziland. Charles has organized a day of prayer for the high schools (with total cooperation from the schools) and was able to go in and preach, invite kids to accept Christ, and pray with them. He has been invited back to speak to individual classes. Pray that God will keep these doors open and that He will open similar doors everywhere Charles goes. Pray for Charles that he will be full of the love and grace of God as he speaks, and that he will communicate the Gospel clearly in a way the students will readily understand and accept. And pray that many children will be in Heaven one day because of Charles.

Jesus, thank You so much for putting Charles on the Children's Cup team. Thank You for his energy, his dreams, his passion for You and his drive to reach the lost. We ask that You would continue to open doors for the Gospel through his efforts, and that You'd give him wisdom to see opportunities that You are creating. Draw him closer to You than ever before in his walk with You, and show him the things You have in store for him and his wife. Bless him as a husband, bless him as a servant of the Gospel, bless him as a son, and bless him as a part of the Children's Cup team. Anoint him as he shares Your love with the children and other hurting people in Africa. Populate Heaven through his service to our King.

If you'd like to join in and pray for Charles, you can do so by clicking COMMENTS below.
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It is here that Children’s Cup began operations in southern Africa. Today, the nation is being ravaged by political, economic and social unrest, serving to compound the overwhelming crisis brought on by AIDS. Specifically, we are praying for Tongogara and Chambuta - two primary schools where much of our work in Zimbabwe has been focused. Also, pray for our friends and family living in Zimbabwe, many of whom risk their lives daily to continue the work of the ministry there. Finally, pray for an end to the unrest and for God to keep the doors open for Children’s Cup to continue to provide help to the hurting people of Zimbabwe.

It is a huge honor to have Mark Batterson, pastor of National Community Church and author of In a Pit With a Lion on a Snowy Day, lead us in prayer today.

Lord,

You are the One who begins good works. And You are the One who carries them to completion. Thank you for what You have started in Zimbabwe with the Children's Cup. May this good work have a ripple effect across the country and continent of Africa.

I pray specifically for the two schools in Tongograra and Chambuta. Lord, anoint the teachers. Give them supernatural strength and divine wisdom. And bless the children. May they grow in wisdom and stature and in favor with God and with man. I pray that they would grow up to become country changers and history makers. Give them vision beyond their years.

Lord, put a hedge of protection around your servants. Let them find favor. Open doors of opportunity beyond human ability for your glory and honor.

In the name of Jesus, Amen.

Got a comment or want to join us in prayer? Click on COMMENTS below and you can type in your prayer for the children and Teresa right here.
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As an RN, Daran’s wife Teresa helps with the basic medical needs of the children coming to the CarePoints for meals and education. On a daily basis, she not only tends to the physical hurts, but because of the love that brought her to the team, she also gives the children a glimpse of Jesus and His love for them. Pray that the children she treats will continue to encounter God’s love, and that Teresa will be able to give them the care they need - physical and otherwise. Pray for workers and resources to help her touch even more children with the love of God through medical care.

Today, we have invited Dr. Cheri LeBlanc who leads the Healing Hands Medical Ministry of Healing Place Church, to lead us in prayer for Teresa Rehmeyer.

Heavenly Father,

Today we lift up Teresa to You. You have chosen her to fulfill a special role in the lives of these children, the workers in the CarePoints, and the 'Cup team. Lord, she serves them all with all she has. Let her see that it is Your hand that is extended when she touches a child that is ill. And as she places her hand on that sick child let her know in her heart what needs to be done, beyond her years of training and natural wisdom. Father, You promise us that when we do all we can in the natural, You will accomplish the supernatural. We pray for miracles of salvation and healing to flow through her obedience to You.

Father, protect Teresa's mind from thoughts of discouragement as she is faced with so many medical needs. As she goes to sleep at night, guide her thoughts to all the things she WAS able to do that day, and not the things that she had no provision for. Let every person she was able to minister to that day think of the loving Jesus they saw in her smile and gentle touch.

Father, we ask for You to give her Your vision of how to care for their medical needs, and we ask for favor to provide the resources needed to realize that vision. Medical care is such a need in that country and provides an awesome avenue to show the love of Christ, one precious person at a time.

Lord, protect her and her family, keep them healthy. In the name of Jesus we come against any distraction that would try to keep her from the task You have given her. Give her peaceful rest each night. Give her joy each morning as she fulfills her calling of being a mother, wife, and leader; for our joy is our strength. May each day‚s challenges bring her closer to You.

We ask all this in Jesus' precious name, Amen.

Got a comment or want to pray? Feel free to join in this prayer gathering by clicking COMMENTS below and leaving a note.
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As an accomplished engineer, Daran brings to the team a strong element of construction planning know-how. A large amount of his time is spent helping with the current construction and facilitation of new and existing CarePoints in Swaziland. Since arriving just about a year ago, Daran has already been a tremendous blessing in several projects, with many more underway and in the planning stages. Please pray that Daran will continue to find creative ways to “get the job done” in what is often a very challenging environment for development, and that because of his work, more and more children will be given the chance to encounter the love of God first-hand.

Today, we've been blessed to have Pastor Jerry Stone from The Life Church at Charlotte, to lead us in prayer.

Father, I thank you for Daran, Lord, remind him today of what a blessing he is to You and those that he is serving. Bless him with the strength and foresight to "get the job done," but also to continue to keep the children the heart of all the projects. We pray that Daran is blessed in all that he does and sees the eternal rewards even today as he selflessly serves You and those around him. In Jesus name, Amen!
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Our Medical Director, Teresa Rehmeyer, would like to see sinks installed at each of the CarePoints. It’s so hard to see these kids eating the meals we give them with dirty hands. “We are teaching the children good hygiene habits, and with sinks, we’ll give them a way to practice these habits and as a result, they’ll be ealthier.” Pray with us for the resources to install sinks in each of the CarePoints. And pray that the children will be healthier and safer because of it.

Today, we have invited Jamie Prunty, a college student from Illinois, to lead us in prayer.

Dear Lord, today I ask You for something that may seem so small to everyone here, but so big to the people over at the CarePoints and the children. Right now, I am sitting on my computer thinking how lucky I am that I do have running water and technologies to help with my daily life, these kids are not that lucky. I pray that Your awesome power may help provide sinks for these children's use over at the CarePoints. They need Your help in becoming healthier and their safety insured in result of this. I also pray for the amazing people over at the CarePoints who are giving everything they have to follow You and help these children in becoming healthier because of better hygeine habits. Thank You for all that you do, in Jesus' name, Amen.

Thanks for praying with us today. Don't forget to leave a comment or your own prayer in the comments section below.
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There is a terribly horrifying reality that we have seen in one area of Swaziland. Children who are alone and on the street are offered food and basic survival needs by wicked adults. The children, having nothing and nowhere else to turn become part of a hellish business of child prostitution and are abused in exchange for the provision and “protection” they receive from the adults. It is a horrendous evil that Children’s Cup is doing all it can to counteract, but it is vital that we pray that God will intervene and help us truly rescue the children.

Possibly the most tragic part of all is that this is not an isolated situation. Orphans and vulnerable children being sexually abused by adults is a harsh reality across the region. Please pray for the children who are already ensnared - that they will be freed, and pray for those who are succeptible to this entrapment - that we’ll be able to give them Hope in Jesus before it’s too late.

Today we are honored to have Carole Turner, a volunteer leader at Healing Place Church to lead us in prayer.

Jesus, thank You. My heart is broken right now. I know You see these children and Your heart breaks more then I can even imagine.

Hold them Jesus, dry their tears, bring them the comfort that only You can bring. I ask Jesus that You put barriers between them and their captors. Convict their captors, that they will not harm these children. Please Jesus provide a way out for them. Send Your laborers to these children. You said in Matthew 25, "What you have done for the least of these you have done unto Me..."

Lord, right now I ask that You lay these children on the hearts of Christians everywhere. Wake the sleeping mother in her warm bed to pray for the child that finds no sleep after abuse. Wake the teenager that loves You to pray for the teenage slave that has never even heard of You. Wake the small child that sleeps in a house full of love, tell them to pray for the child that is so beaten they can't sleep and has never known love.

Please Jesus, I ask You to stir in us all the desire to help the least of these as You commanded. And help us all to help these children, Lord. Thank You for the light You have placed in Swaziland. Give these laborers strength, fill them with Your love and bless them Lord, bless them Lord. Give them wisdom, provide resources and open doors so they can show You to these Children. Push back the powers of hell that have this area in it's grasp. We ask that You show yourself strong in Swaziland by many means but today I ask for the enslaved children, meet them Lord, in their pain, comfort them, let them see you and find freedom in You.

Thank You, Jesus.

If you'd like to join in the prayer, please click on COMMENTS and add your prayer to today's gathering.
Be sure to check out Dave Ohlerking has felt a special connection with the people of Vietnam since 1975 when he was on the ground during the final days before the end of the Vietnam War. He was there as a missionary and promised to return one day when God opened the door. That door began to open again in the early 1990’s and Dave returned, this time with the first of several ocean containers of hospital equipment and supplies being donated by friends of Children’s Cup. The gifts have presented some tremendous opportunities to share the reason for the kindness (our answer is always, “It is what our God teaches us to do - to love those who have been called our enemies”).

It is still a very delicate situation, but lack of details won’t limit God’s ability to hear your prayer for the children of Vietnam. Pray for the children in Viet Duc Children’s Hospital, and for the “Agent Orange” children (victims of the chemical effects of some of the weapons used in the Vietnam War). And pray for wisdom and guidance as we continue to try to show God’s love to the children of Vietnam.

Today we have invited Mike Haman, a pastor on staff at Healing Place Church to lead us in prayer.

Lord,

We thank you that Your love knows no boundaries. It reaches across oceans, beyond borders, through streets and neighborhoods, and into the reality of where people live. May Your love splash all over the children of Vietnam today, especially those in the Viet Duc Children’s Hospital who are suffering due to circumstances beyond their control. If a sparrow cannot fall to the ground with You noticing, then we are comforted by knowing Your mercy watches over us, even in our pain. Thank you for the power of compassion and the ability You give us to express that in a world that so desperately needs it. May Your favor continue to rest on Children’s Cup, giving them the strength and creativity to shine light into darkness and bring hope and healing to even the hardest places.

Please feel free to join in prayer with us by entering a prayer in the comments area below. Thanks for praying with us today!
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The Ka Khosa community is “the place where prostitutes and thieves are made” according to many locals. It is probably the roughest location of any of the CarePoints, but it also shines as a very bright light. In a community where alcoholism, drug abuse, and child abuse are rampant, there is a place of refuge for the children. Pray for the safety of our workers there, and pray for protection for the children who live there. Pray that God will touch lives and turn this community around through the testimonies of the children whose lives are rescued and developed at the Ka Khosa CarePoint.

Today we are blessed to have Eric Jaffe, the pastor of the Orange Park Campus of Celebration Church of Jacksonville, lead us in prayer for the children.

Lord,

We pray for Ka Khosa and it’s people. It has been said that the Ka Khosa community is a place where prostitutes and thieves are made. Well, my bible says that Jesus’ name is above every other name, so right now we join in prayer believing for Your name to now be the banner over that place.

That all spiritual strongholds of darkness would be broken and forced to abandon that place. That Christian men and women would rise up. That it would no longer be called a place of darkness, but a place of light. That people would have a concern for the next generation, that their hearts would turn towards Jesus, the God of the universe and that their hearts would turn from their wicked ways.

Lord, even as You have done in my own life, removing the darkness of drugs and alcohol from me. Lord You would were good enough to take away my obsession to drink and use drugs and turn it into an obsession to serve You. Might you do the same for the people of that district! Your word says that You are no respecter of men. Lord, I am the least of all men, as You did it for me, Lord please do it for them.

We ask that You send great people, full of the Holy Spirit into that area to be a light in the darkness. Lord let Your Holy Spirit go too and fro in that area calling people to repentance. Let Your might and power be shown and more than evident so that the powers of darkness must flee.

Lord we plead Your blood over that city. Might the violence stop for good. Might Your angels protect its inhabitants.

Lord, we plead and intercede for that city. Let freedom ring in that place. Let Your love abound...

Jesus we honor You and praise You. May Your will be done in Ka Khosa.

It is in Jesus' name we pray!

Don't forget to leave a comment or prayer here by clicking COMMENTS below. Thanks for praying with us!
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Sharon was also born and raised in Africa. She has served in ministry wtih Dave throughout their marriage. She has seen her husband risk his life in some of the most dangerous situations imaginable in order to provide relief to hurting children, and she has upheld him in prayer through it all. God has used her greatly in personal evangelism as well - she has a passion and a great awareness of opportunities to share the love of Jesus through personal relationships. Please pray for her safety as she travels with her husband, and for continued good health. The Van Rensburgs have two children. Ty is 26 and currently lives in the United States, and Melanie is 24 and lives in Zimbabwe. Please pray for this family as they are in different parts of the world that they would continue to be closely connected as they always have been. And pray that God will continue to bless them as they touch the hurting children of Africa.

Today, we have asked Michelle Gros, Director of Elevate at Healing Place Church, to lead us in prayer.

Father we come before You in prayer on behalf of Sharon Van Rensburg. We thank You for how You have used her and her family to bring Your hope and love to the hurting in Africa. Father we ask that You bless Sharon right now, that You would reach down from Heaven and touch her. We ask for greater favor upon her life, that she would grow in wisdom, stature, in favor with You and with man.

We ask for the power of the Holy Spirit to fill her right now- that You would increase her faith, her boldness, her love, her trust, her passion. We pray for bigger dreams, new visions to reach the people of Africa for Your Kingdom. God use her to heal, to set free, to proclaim Your Word. We believe that through her You will bring healing to those with AIDS, those who have been abused, those who suffer from poverty- oh that You would use her to bring Your hope.

We ask for Your blessing upon her as a wife and a mother, for divine wisdom and strength to support her family in a way that honors Your name. Thank You for her commitment to Your plans, to Your commission. We know You are smiling upon her and her family as they pursue Your heart to set free the oppressed, the orphaned, the sick, the widowed- bless them Lord for their commitment to Your will. In Jesus name- Amen!

Don't forget to join us in prayer each day right here. You can leave a prayer, thought or testimony here simply by clicking COMMENTS below. Leaving a prayer is a great way to let the team and the children know you're in this with them. Thanks for praying!
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Dave was born in Africa and has lived there all his life. For the past 12 years he has worked in Zimbabwe, Zambia, Malawi and Mozambique. He and his wife, Sharon, are presently living in Swaziland, but their ministry finds them traveling extensively for Children’s Cup in southern and central Africa. Their main focus is coordinating the Relief Aid and Development projects for Children’s Cup within this region. Please pray for his continued safety and good health as he continues in this vital role.

Today, we have asked Johnny Green, the Highland Campus Pastor for Healing Place Church to lead us in prayer.

Father, we pray for Dave Van Rensburg as he demonstrates your heart for the children in Africa. We thank you for his vision, compassion and courage in the face danger and resistance. Please give him supernatural wisdom in all his efforts. Guide him step-by-step.

We ask for favor as well, favor with government officials, tribal and community leaders and anyone he would need to open a door for him. Go before him and clear the way for your love to reach the hurting.

We also ask for strength and encouragement. Let him feel your presence as he rises early and goes to bed late. We pray that the joy of the Lord will be his strength. Thank you for his example of your love and devotion.

Please join us in prayer today and we invite you to leave a prayer or thought here in this online prayer gathering by clicking COMMENTS below. Thanks for praying!
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The CarePoint cooks are volunteers. They come faithfully to the CarePoint in their own neighborhoods every day to start the fires and put on the pots, filling them with water and maize - preparing for the neighborhood kids who have no one to cook for them. At some CarePoints they prepare for several hundred kids every day. Knowing they are the only adult supervision in some of these kids’ lives, we are teaching them to show the love of Jesus. Pray with us that each one of our CarePoint cooks will accept Jesus as their personal Savior so they can truly be a picture of Jesus to our kids in every act of service that they perform.

Today, we have asked DeLynn Rizzo, who is Healing Place Church's Worship Pastor and the leader of Healing Place Women, to lead us in prayer for these special ladies.

Dear Heavenly Father, I ask You today to pour out a mighty blessing on the lives of the CarePoint cooks in Africa. I pray that You would place a hedge of protection around them and their families with an army of Your angels. Keep them physically and spiritually strong in the power of Your might. We know that it is not by might, not by power, but by Your Spirit that we are protected and blessed. Please allow them to call to mind Matthew 25:40 and know that when they have done a deed to the least of these they have done it unto You. Let them reap a harvest beyond their imagination for the seeds they are helping to plant in the lives of these children. It is all for Your glory and I just ask that You bless and multiply every meal they make in order to nourish the precious little children. I ask all these things in the precious name of Jesus. Amen!

Please join us in prayer today and we invite you to leave a prayer or thought here in this online prayer gathering by clicking COMMENTS below. Thanks for praying!
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The Rehmeyer family

The Rodgers kids

These MK’s are definitely a part of the 'Cup team in Africa. They enjoy visiting the CarePoints, playing games with the children, giving out stickers and candy, and putting on puppet shows that share the love of Jesus. Some of the older MK’s hold a Bible study for other young people in the area each week, and God is using them all to help reach the hurting people of Swaziland. Pray that they will be deeply aware of the love of Christ in their lives as they share that love with others. Pray for their education. Pray that they love and serve Jesus all of their lives. And pray that many African children will be in Heaven one day because of the Rehmeyer and Rodgers children.

We have invited Joel Dyke, pastor of Life Church West Monroe to lead us in prayer today.

Today we will pray for the missionary kids. Missionary kids are unique. They often do not seem to fit anywhere. In North America, they are too foreign. Overseas they are considered too American. Actually they are a blend of their parents’ North American culture and the foreign culture in which they are reared. Consequently they have been described as third-culture kids.

The missionary kids did not choose their lot. They only accompanied their parents who were answering a call from God. As a result, they were forced into situations that most of our children never face and often face problems many of us would never consider. They are children keenly in need of prayer. Let’s pray for them now…

Father, today we ask You to be with missionary children around the world and especially the children of missionary families Rehmeyer and Rodgers. We ask that You protect them, and help them grow in their knowledge of You. May they be used of You to reach other children in their culture. We ask that they would love the land they are called to. Bless their family with joy, peace, financial blessings and much success. Help them in their studies and make them fluent in both languages. May they never feel they are missing out, but instead are greatly blessed to be chosen by You. Protect their physical, emotional, mental and spiritual health and let them flourish. Give them favor with all and many good friends, and may they never feel lonely or isolated but instead sense how close You are to them. Keep Your hand upon them and guide them.

Father, we pray that the family would take quality time to spend together to nurture each child and that the parents would encourage their children and involve them in their ministry as much as possible.

We also pray that the missionary kids would establish their own spiritual lives and may each child recognize his need for a personal walk with God—to really know God, not to just learn about Him.

We pray that each one would be filled with the Holy Spirit and walk with Him daily.

We pray that they would have a thankful heart for all of God’s abundant blessings and that they would keep their priorities straight. God, we You to place a call on their lives as well and to help them discover God’s perfect will for their lives and be convicted when they displease God.

Heavenly Father, protect them from the bad influences in their lives.

We ask You to give them the victory over feelings of isolation from friends and family in the homeland. God, may they never feel sorry that they are MKs or harbor bitterness, revenge, or retaliation and give them compassion for the nationals of the country in which they live.

We ask You to provide opportunity for the MKs to receive a good education. We pray for the MK’s academic, social, emotional, and physical needs along with their spiritual needs (Luke 2:52). We ask you to guide them concerning their further schooling, career choices, and life partner.

Finally Father, we ask for Your Divine protection over their lives. We thank You that none of these MK’s will ever be used by the enemies of the gospel to try and discourage the parents or sow fear into their hearts. No weapon formed against any one of these kids will prosper but God… You will overthrow every enemy! In Jesus’ name! Amen.

Three of the Children's Cup MK's have blogs - check them out (and leave a comment of encouragement while you're there): Gabby Rehmeyer, Kayla Rodgers, Levi Rodgers

Thank you for joining us in prayer - remember, you are invited to leave a prayer, thought, or testimony by clicking COMMENTS below.
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Susan is blessed with the gift of hospitality, feeding and serving others... encouraging other missionaries from all over, holding Bible studies, hosting government officials and national pastors. No one leaves her house without having filled their stomachs as well as their hearts full of good things. She says her first calling is that of wife and mother—supporting Ben with prayer and encouragement, and raising their children to know and love Jesus. Pray for Susan’s health, strength, and wisdom, as she gives her best for the Lord. And pray that as she does, the children of Africa will be blessed because of the strength she provides to the Children’s Cup team that serves them.

Today we have invited Terri Anderson, from the staff of Healing Place Church, to lead us in prayer.

Father God, we lift up Susan to your capable hands. Lord, as she gives unselfishly to her ministry, her husband, and her children may Your joy be her strength! Bless her, Lord, with radiant health! Fill her with Your wisdom and Your life-giving words as she prepares the way for the Children's Cup team to push forward with their progress.

Remind her, Lord, that she is a princess and that she is precious to You. Father, we ask that the brillant Light inside of her shine upon every man, woman, and child that her ministry reaches.

Bless her, her family and their efforts, We give You all the praise, all the glory and all the honor in the name Jesus! Amen!
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Ben is the Africa Director for Children's Cup. One of his primary goals is to expand our orphan care program to other countries in Sub-Saharan Africa. God has blessed him greatly as he has developed the current system of CarePoints to reach the hurting children in Africa. God alone knows how many lives have been impacted by this young missionary’s obedience to the call of God on his life to serve. Pray that the children he is reaching will continue to encounter Jesus as a result of the medical attention, food, education and Bible training they are given at the CarePoints. And pray for continued good health for Ben and for wisdom as he directs Children’s Cup operations in Africa.

Today we have invited Scott Aughtmon, pastor of Pathway Church in California, to lead us in prayer today.

Lord, we thank You for the ministry and compassion of Children's Cup for the people of Africa. We thank You for bringing Ben to be a part of this ministry. Keep giving him the wisdom he needs to expand and develop the CarePoints. Let each CarePoint be Your hands, feet, and Your voice - showing and telling Your love to the children in Africa.

Give Ben new creativity, energy and excitement for his job as he plants seeds that will produce eternal fruit. Increase his gifts and expand his influence and reach. Use all that he's going through to make him into who You've created him to be and to prepare him for what You have for him in the future.

Bless Ben and his family. Provide for all their needs. Protect them mentally, physically, emotionally and spiritually from all the devil's attacks. In Jesus' name, amen.
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God is using this one.

How are you doing the forty days of prayer where you are?
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NOTE: The Fonteyn CarePoint lost its roof during the windstorms that swept through Mbabane last week - the worst in Swaziland's history. It is clear that we are facing a spiritual battle for the lives of the precious children in this area.

Pray for the children at the Fonteyn CarePoint that God will help us find ways to touch their lives with the love and hope He gives. Pray for their healing. Pray that as they encounter Jesus, they will in turn become “evangelists” - taking the good news to the rest of the community.

Today we've invited Travis Johnson of Life Pointe Church in Florida to lead us in prayer.

God, we come to You now with thankful hearts for Your salvation, provision and restoration. We thank You for the children at Fonteyn CarePoint. We thank you for the ministry that is taking place there. We thank You that there is no situation that can possibly frustrate Your Grace.

Father, I pray that as this area and these wonderful people reorganize and recover from disaster, you would demonstrate the miraculous grace of Christ in their lives. Bring healing, deliverance, safety, health, wisdom, and salvation. Let the presence of Your Spirit be more powerful than any storm.

I pray that You would send more laborers and resources to Fonteyn CarePoint. Bless and increase those who are serving there. Make this place into a light that blazes brightly for You. I pray this in the name of Your Son, Jesus. Amen.

Please join us in prayer today and we invite you to leave a prayer or thought here in this online prayer gathering by clicking COMMENTS below. Thanks for praying!
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Jean Ohlerking is “Meemaw” to hundreds if not thousands of children all over. She has an overwhelming passion to simply love the kids who Children’s Cup cares for in southern Africa. Holding babies in her arms, she sings to them, rocks them, and gives them a very real picture of the love of Jesus, just as she did for her four children (one of whom is Susan Rodgers - serving as a Children’s Cup missionary with her husband Ben). Please pray for Jean’s continued good health and protection as she and Dave “go everywhere and tell everybody” about the hope that only Jesus gives. And pray that each child she holds will soon come to a saving knowledge of Jesus, and sing with her one day, “Thank you Lord, for saving my soul....”

Jesus, thank You for my mom. thanks for the way she used to spend time with us at night tucking us in, singing to us, praying for us, quoting scripture to us, and pouring truth and love into our souls when my sister and brothers and i were kids.

now i get to pray for her. i pray that You will continue to enable her to communicate Your love to these children by holding them, signing to them, and giving them scripture. Your word will always make a difference when it is shared.

bless her, Lord - with insight, wisdom, protection, physical health, and many many more opportunities to hug and sing to the children in the broken places of the world, and to share the love that runs so deep through her to the children who need hope so desperately. populate Heaven with people who saw You in her.

Don't forget to join us in prayer each day right here. You can leave a prayer, thought or testimony here simply by clicking COMMENTS below. Leaving a prayer is a great way to let the team and the children know you're in this with them. Thanks for praying!
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The community of Zakhele is on a ridge overlooking the city of Manzini. The community is known for its high rate of marijuana (“dagga” is what the locals call it) use and the common occurrence of theft. There are good people in the community, though, and we were blessed to find some wonderful ladies to be volunteer cooks at this CarePoint. Pray that we are able to help this community overcome its challenges and for an awesome opportunity for transformation.

Today we have invited Pastor Mark Noren of St. Luke's Church in Faribault, Minnesota to lead us in prayer.

The Christ of the Andes statue stands high above the once warring nations of Argentina and Chili. It is a reminder to the people of the need for the entire world to be consecreted to Christ the Redeemer. The statue stands as a reminder of Christ's words, "And I, if I am lifted up from the earth, I will draw all men unto Me."

"Precious Lord, stand in your might on the ridge above Zakhele. A battle rages there for the hearts and souls of children- Your children.

Guard and guide Your servants that feed and bless the children. May Your holy presence encourage them. Walk, dear Lord, among the pains of the people. Demonstrate the power of Your love by breaking whatever bondage this community and the adjoining city of Manzini might be experiencing.

Thank you, Lord, for hearing and answering our prayers, in Jesus' Name, and for His sake, Amen"

Thank you for praying with us. Please remember to continue to pray for our team in Swaziland - currently still out of contact due to power loss during a storm that swept throught the city last Wednesday night. You can read more about it here. Thanks again for praying, and thanks to those of you who have left comments and prayers on this site. It is a great encouragement to the team and our partners. If you'd like to join in, feel free to leave a prayer, comment or testimony here bu clicking COMMENTS below.
Be sure to check out Kristen Young, one of the team in Mbabane, Swaziland regarding the devastation from the storms last Wednesday, and the team that we prayed for a couple days ago.

OK, so we were EXTREMELY busy with the elevate team for the past ten days!! But at the same time, it was some of the best days we have had since we've been here. The team was so awesome!! They really worked hard and accomplished a lot. They held a youth service where there were 40 first time decisions for Christ. Thank you Lord. They also really ecouraged us A LOT!! Thanks to all of the team we miss you so much already.

Now, for everyone who doesn't know yet, Wednesday, when we returned from Mozambique, all of thee power in Mbabane had been out all day. Then, Wednesday night, we experienced the absolute worst wind storm in Swaziland history. It was like a hurricane with no rain. I was literally afraid in my bed that something was going to fly through the window.

When we woke up Thursday morning, freezing because we still had no electricity, and began to drive around, we started to really see all of the damage. It was Katrina all over again. Huge trees were ripped out of the ground from the roots, houses were completely blown over. If you can imagine the amount stick houses that are here, plus all of the clay houses, they were all blown over. These people have never even heard of insurance and much like a lot of Katrina victims, thay have lost everything. Literally.

The orphanage that Charles and I visit rather frequently had just completed a new girls dorm. It is destroyed. The elevate team really stepped up to the plate Thursday, spending the entire day with relief efforts. We cut trees out of the road, off of peoples houses and began repairing roof tops, including some of our CarePoint roof tops.

I know a lot of you can sympathize, so please pray as a lot of people here are without houses, electricity and water. It is crazy to be going through this all over again. Please pray for money to come in to help us repair houses and CarePoints. Charles and I are very fortunate that we had no tree damage and received power and water late Friday night. A lot of our missionary friends here are still without power and water so please keep praying for them.

Kristen Young
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A tiny kingdom of about one million residents, this beautiful land is also facing its own battle with the AIDS pandemic. Nearly half the population is HIV-positive. And as you can figure, the children are the hardest-hit by the effects of AIDS. There are children who work as prostitutes in order to buy food for their younger siblings. Living on the street, doing whatever they must do to survive. Children’s Cup has its Africa headquarters here, and has established eleven CarePoints throughout the country - centers where the children can come and experience the love of God, be given medical attention, a meal, and learn about Jesus Christ. Pray for these children. Pray that God will heal their bodies. Pray that God will continue to give us favor with officials so that we may expand our capacity to help the children. And pray that the resources will be there for us to be able to walk through those opportunities.

Today we have invited Mark Ammons from the staff of Healing Place Church to lead us in prayer.

Matthew 21:22 "If you believe, you will receive whatever you ask for in prayer."

Father God may Your blessings be poured out over the 'Cup team. We thank You for the calling You have placed on their lives. May Your will be done each day as they reach out to the lost and hurting of Africa.

We lift up the African people:
Heal their hurts.
Heal their hearts.
We ask for their salvation.

Father, we ask that You heal the hurting, comfort the lonely, save the lost and open doors of opportunity to continue Your work.

We ask all of this in Your mighty name.
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Dave Ohlerking and his wife Jean founded Children’s Cup in 1992 and have served over thirty years as full-time missionaries. Dave has been blessed to travel extensively, directing ministry projects in 56 countries, and visiting another 51 countries. He has seen the world at its best and at its worst, and has dedicated his life to making a difference in the lives of the children - the often-forgotten ones. Please pray for his continued wisdom as he leads Children’s Cup and pray for good health to persist despite the challenges of diabetes.

Today we have invited Matt Fry, lead pastor at Cleveland Community Church to lead us in prayer.

God we come to you to day to lift up your servant Dave Ohlerking. We praise you for men who have a heart like Dave’s to reach out to hurting children. Would you give him strength and endurance to run the race you have called him to run. Help him not grow weary when he looks at all the hurting children and all there is to do, but give him a hope that all things are possible with God. Raise up some Aaron’s and Ur’s that will come along side and hold up his arms when the battle gets tough. Continue to give him vision for the calling you have placed on his life. Raise up young men and women that Dave can pour into that will carry the mantel of Children’s Cup so that the ministry and vision you have given Dave Ohlerking will reach many generations for the cause of Christ.

We pray all this in Jesus Name,

Amen.

Thank you for joining us in prayer - remember, you are invited to leave a prayer, thought, or testimony by clicking COMMENTS below.
Be sure to check out Dave Ohlerking at childrenscup.org regarding the devastating storms that tore the roof off one of our CarePoints last night in Swaziland. Click here.
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Pray with us for the team of students from Healing Place Church who will be on the ground in Africa for several days during these forty days of prayer for the children. They will be doing many various types of projects - from painting CarePoints to giving the children Bible lessons, preaching and holding an area-wide youth event. Pray that God will use the Elevate students to give hope to everyone they come in contact with. Pray these students will return as ambassadors for the children of southern Africa.

Today we have asked Tom Bougher, LIFE group pastor at The Rock Church Family Worship Center, to lead us in prayer.

Lord, what a privilege it is to be able to call on Your name! So many in our world have yet to hear and know the power in Your name. We are so grateful to You, for allowing the Healing Place Church to send workers into the harvest fields of Africa!

We are asking You to go before HPC’s team of students.
- Open doors for them to minister!
- Give them favor with governing officials & school administrators!
- Prepare them with power and discernment to know exactly what to say and how to love these children!
- Send them supernatural tools and the wisdom to use them!
- Direct their every step – just as You’ve promised!
- Make their words powerful and life-giving!
- May their actions bring Your touch and healing to this broken land!

We are asking You for miracles!
Mend their broken hearts and lives!
Place a never-ending song of joy in their hearts!
Father, confirm Your Word with signs and wonders!

We agree and believe with all of the 'Cup team in asking You for souls!
We agree and believe with all of the 'Cup team in asking You for resources!
We agree and believe with all of the 'Cup team for asking You for territory!
We agree and believe with all of the 'Cup team for You to raise us Samuels and Queen Esthers to speak supernatural Life back into their nation!

Now to Him who is able to do immeasurably more than all we ask or imagine, according to His power that is at work within us, to Him be glory in the church and in Christ Jesus throughout all generations, for ever and ever!

Amen

Thank you for joining us in prayer - remember, you are invited to leave a prayer, thought, or testimony by clicking COMMENTS below.
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This war-torn country has only recently begun its recovery from a long and brutal civil war. As such, their need is great - and their need for a Savior is even greater. The children of Mozambique are still hurting. Land mines are still littered throughout much of the countryside, and other dangers such as AIDS and malnutrition also threaten the youngest Mozambicans.

Just a few weeks ago, we were able to break ground on our first facility in Mozambique - a joint project with Mission of Mercy, Healing Place Church and The Family Church. Pray that this new facility (a church and a children’s center) will not only be a center of hope for the children but also for the entire community. Also pray that other churches in the USA will partner with Children’s Cup to reproduce this type of project many more times.

Today we have asked Dino Rizzo, Lead Pastor of Healing Place Church to lead us in prayer in this online prayer gathering.

There are times when you visit a place on God's earth where you just know that God's faithfulness is the only answer for the need. Mozambique is such a place. Let's pray for Mozambique:

Lord, I know what You want for the people of Mozambique - to love, to care for and to save them. I pray that they find all they search for in You. Let Children's Cup and its partners have Your wisdom to help bring the breath of God to that nation. Let Jesus sweep across every effort, plan, idea and ministry action. Thank You, Jesus, that You have not forgotten a people that have often felt forgotten. Jesus, save Mozambique - all for You.

Please feel free to participate in this online prayer gathering by leaving a comment, a prayer or even a testimony here by clicking COMMENTS below.
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It'll be a little bit of the good "old" prayer meeting flow for people from all over the planet - brought together through good "new" technology.

But in it all, let's keep in mind the purpose of this whole thing - it is to approach the throne of grace boldy with prayer for the hurting children of the world. We're asking our Heavenly Father to use us to make a difference in the lives of these children - His children - whom He loves far more than we can imagine.

It's about the children.
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Wide (16:9): click here to download (100kb)
Be sure to check out Let us know if you're going to be praying with us. We'd like to add your name to the list on the sidebar on the left. Send an email to info@childrenscup.org. Thanks!
Be sure to check out Children's Cup's "Forty Days of Prayer for the Children."

Beginning on August 1, and continuing daily through September 9, this site will be updated with a daily prayer emphasis - all focused on praying for the AIDS orphans and OVC's we work with in Africa. You can find out more about these precious children and what we're doing by visiting the Children's Cup website.

We'd appreciate any comments - your thoughts, prayers or encouragements - as we join together for this time of unified prayer.

For more information about FORTY DAYS OF PRAYER FOR THE CHILDREN, click here.

If you'd like to be included in the list of those who have committed to pray during these forty days, either leave a comment below or email us at info@childrenscup.org.

If you are willing, we'd appreciate it if you'd help us spread the word by including a link to FORTY DAYS OF PRAYER FOR THE CHILDREN on your site as well. Here's some code you can use to access our custom tag:

<a href="http://www.childrenscup.org/40days/40menu.htm"><img src="http://www.childrenscup.org/childrenscuptag.jpg"></a>

The link will look like this:

Thanks for being a part of what God is doing through Children's Cup - your support and prayers are what makes it all possible.
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