SPEAK UP FOR THOSE WHO CANNOT SPEAK

"Speak up for those who cannot speak for themselves, for the rights of all who are destitute. Speak up and judge fairly; defend the rights of the poor and needy." Proverbs 31: 8-9 (NIV©1984)

I thank the Lord our God. Our son came home from Afghanistan yesterday! His children and I picked him up at the airport with joy. We all chattered and tried to catch up on six months of being apart.

James has been an International Police Advisor for more than two years and gets home for a few weeks about every six months. On his Facebook page, the conversation often turns to the plight of the Afghan children. He describes how they rummage for anything they can eat in the filthiest of surroundings. His thoughts remain with the children when he is home.

We are witnesses to this generation on behalf of the Lord. We speak up in prayer for those who cannot speak. We bear witness to those who have impacted our lives, to those who have not seen and those who have not heard what we have seen and heard. We are the only people who have had our own, personal experience. It is our responsibility and privilege to serve God by telling others about those in need, and placing their names before the Lord in prayer.

Who, in your neighborhood, is the least among others? What child cannot afford the baseball cleats or the piano lessons? Work toward lifting their load. Perhaps you could partner with another to meet their needs. Raise up their name in prayer to God. That is our calling. Let us pray:

"Loving Father of us all, some do not know you as Abba. The only Father they know is the vengeful, uncaring description they have seen in the Daddy in their lives. Some are fatherless due to a death or other situations. We ask that we may present your love and your presence in a new way to those around us. To many in the world, Love did not come down at Christmas, redemption did not hang on a cross or was raised from the dead. Here at Easter time, put your own words in our mouth so that we may speak your truth in ways that will not offend or make others defend their beliefs. Forgive us when we have been silent. Give us the courage to speak up for those who have no voice. Let us love them into your presence, so you can love them into salvation. In the name of Jesus, our Lord and Savior, we pray. Amen"

Doris
"God gives us stories that testify to His love. Let me tell you mine." Copyright 2013 Doris Gaines Rapp

For children and teens, go to: http://inmyprayerchair.blogspot.com And . . .
https://www.facebook.com/pages/My-Prayer-Chair/476665319066226 (copy and paste to address line if needed)