Prayer for Children and Families in Poverty

"In the poor, we find Jesus in distressing disguise." Mother Teresa

Did you know that 24% of Harris County children live in poverty and a total of 47% live in low income families? Texas is ranked 46th in percentage of children living in poverty, with only Alabama, Louisiana, New Mexico and Mississippi doing worse. Related to poverty, Texas has the highest percentage of uninsured children in the nation at 24.6%.

Prayer Targets for Day Two:

• Pray for God to give us His heart for the poor, Isaiah 58:6-8.
• Pray that we learn to minister to the poor as unto Christ, Matthew 25:37-40.

Prayer:

Almighty God, source of life and every good gift, we worship You as Savior, Lord and Provider today. In You the scriptures declare there is no want. Thank You that You love all people with an everlasting love, and that You are for us! Your heart breaks when people are in pain. Thank You for the many times You have met us during our times of physical, emotional, spiritual and material need. Thank You, awesome God! We thank You for programs and ministries that are effective in providing for the needs of the poor. Thank You for those who serve faithfully to empower parents so they can become financially stable and provide for their families.

Lord, we recognize that Your heart is moved by the cries of the poor. We add our voices to theirs and ask You to come to their rescue. Motivate Your Church across this city to turn their hearts and attention to the plight of the poor. Forgive us for our sins of apathy and indifference – when Your heart is filled with compassion. Help us to prioritize our lives so that we can better reflect Your heart.

Come, Lord, especially during this season of financial challenge. At every level of life and commerce, renew us with an urgent sense of faithful stewardship of money, time and talents. Help us make the needed changes in our lives, our work and our financial stewardship so that we can honor You. Come, Lord, today and deal with systems of injustice we have either created or allowed to perpetuate through passivity. Renew Your Church to the spirit and practice of loving our neighbors as You love us.

We praise and worship You as the One who guides and provides. In Jesus’ Name. Amen.

Prayer Concerning the Increasing Infant Mortality Rate in our City

Did you know that parts of Houston have Third World Infant Mortality Rates? As a nation, the infant mortality rate declined by 10% between 1995 and 2004: however, since 2000, the trend has reversed for Harris County. The U.S. ranks 29th in the world on infant mortality – tied with Poland and Slovakia, and behind Cuba.

Prayer Targets for Day Three:

• Pray that our city would understand God’s heart for each precious infant, Psalm 139:13-18.
• Pray that God would raise up more leaders to champion the cause of infants, Psalms 82:3.

Prayer:

God and giver of life, we praise and worship You today. We thank You that Your Word says we are fearfully and wonderfully made. You have not only given us life and breath, You created us with a special plan and purpose in mind. Thank You for providing mercy and grace every day - for the gift of eternal life and abundant life through Jesus Christ.

As we are blessed with many resources and equipped with the largest Medical Center in the world, we are deeply troubled by the steep rise in infant mortality among mothers in our city. We turn to You, Lord, for wisdom and discernment as we search for ways to reverse this trend. Come Holy Spirit! Show us what is needed to protect and bless the lives of all children at every stage of development.

We thank You for the people and programs You have provided in our communities and pray that You would encourage, bless and multiply their efforts.

Lord, grant grace and insight to uncover the social issues and injustices that must be addressed to create significant change in infant mortality in our city. As Creator and Sustainer of life, we ask You to address the environmental issues that affect life in the womb. Where human hands leave off and fall short of needed remedies, we ask that Your mighty Hand would intervene.

Forgive us for our slowness to see and understand this urgent need impacting families in our city. Help us to multiply awareness in our city so that new doors will open where mothers can find reliable prenatal care for their children. Continue to create in our lives and in Your Church and across this city a love and value for life at every age and every stage. In Jesus’ name we pray. Amen.

Prayer to End Human Trafficking

Did you know that the U.S. Department of Justice estimates 14,000 to 17,000 persons are trafficked into the United State each year? Human trafficking involves both international and domestic victims and can include labor and/or sex trafficking. The victims are largely women and children, with runaways being especially vulnerable. Houston is the American hub for human trafficking. The Church in Houston must stand up against this injustice. We cannot continue to worship in peace and safety while our city is being used for such an evil endeavor. That stand starts with prayer.

Prayer Targets for Day Four:

• Pray for God Himself to come to the aid of those being exploited, Psalm 146:7.
• Pray for the Church to rise up with one voice against this practice, Ephesians 5:11-13.

Prayer:

Lord, You alone are Holy. Father, You alone are worthy of all glory, honor and praise. We praise Your Holy Name for all that You have done in our city. We thank You for the growing unity in the Body of Christ in Houston. We thank You that You have brought to our attention the plight of those being forced into slavery.

Lord, we declare that this cannot stand. We choose to unite as Your people against the trafficking of human beings throughout our city. Houston is a city of freedom. As the Church in Houston we stand in the gap against this injustice.

Father, we pray that You will expose the trafficking rings, especially those in charge of the trafficking. We pray for the Houston Police Department and all law enforcement agencies in this city. We ask that You give them wisdom in locating and breaking up all the trafficking rings. We the Church of Houston declare freedom for all those forced into this system. In the Name of Jesus Christ, we decree that all the captives must be set free.

Father, forgive us for our ignorance, apathy and complacency. Forgive us for not taking up this cause and standing against it in a greater measure. Father, help us to pray, invest, and stand against this activity in our city. No longer will Houston be known as the hub of human trafficking for North America. We say, “Come, Kingdom of God. Be done, will of God. Let Your Kingdom reign and Your will be done in Houston as it is in heaven.”

Father, let your Name be exalted in this city. May Your Name be glorified as this city rises up to defeat human trafficking. In Jesus’ Name we pray. Amen

Prayer for our Educators and Educational Systems

Did you know that we have only a 48% freshmen-to-senior same school graduation rate in Houston? Only 15% of Texas students will complete a four year degree. In Houston that means that out of 58,000 students who are 18, only about 8,700 will finish college within 6 years. (44 states scored higher). Our education system is broken. Education is the way out of poverty. If we want to see those we reach out to break the cycle of poverty, we need to insure all children have a quality education.

Prayer Targets for Day Five:

• Pray for God’s Spirit to rest upon those responsible for our educational system, Isaiah 11:2-3.
• Pray for the Church in Houston to become salt and light in the school system, Matthew 5:14-16.

Prayer:

Lord, You are great and greatly to be praised. You simply spoke, and the worlds were created. We give thanks to You for a nation that makes education a priority. We thank You for the public and the private education in America. Father, we thank You that every child born in this great nation has an opportunity to receive an education.

Father, the educational system in our city is in need of Your healing. The problems are overwhelming. We ask You to raise up wise leadership to address the systemic problems so that the children of our city will complete both primary and secondary school. Give school administrators and government official’s Your wisdom and understanding. Give every teacher and administrator Your heart for the children they serve.

Father, forgive Your Church where we have not wanted to invest our time and resources in our educational system. Forgive us for our failure to make education a priority in our homes. Lord, help us to work together so our children will be motivated and achieve more.

Lord, restore our educational system in Houston. May You be glorified as our children’s test scores rise, as our drop-out rate declines, and as our educational system becomes an effective system to develop the full potential of each child.

To You, Father, be all honor, glory and majesty. In Jesus’ Name we pray. Amen.

Prayer for Parents of At-Risk Children

Did you know that contrary to popular opinion, most parents of at-risk children are not the problem? Most parents in poverty are actively seeking help to “do the right thing.” In fact, 82% of children in low-income families in Texas have a least one parent who is employed full or part-time. However in Houston, many parents have a low educational attainment; often do not speak English; live below poverty level while both parents work; and do not reach out for government assistance.

Prayer Targets for Day Six:

• Pray for God’s heart to fill the hearts of the parents of at-risk children, Mark 10:16.
• Pray for the Church in Houston to find effective ways to reach and strengthen the parents of at-risk children, 1 Peter 4:10.

Prayer:

Lord God, You are a father to the fatherless and a mother to the motherless. We thank You for Your loving care. You alone possess the qualities of a “perfect parent.” We are blessed to be able to draw strength from You as parents. We thank You, God, for parents and for the family system you have created. Thank You for providing parents and parent- figures to help when biological parents are missing.

We ask You today to bless and strengthen the parents of our city, especially the parents of children at-risk. Visit them with Your Presence. For those who are discouraged and despondent, provide fresh courage and vision for their role as parents. Enable them to provide for the material, emotional and spiritual needs of their children and families.

Come to make up the difference in each family and in the lives of each child. We pray today for single parents and for the heavy load they carry. Provide help, special friends and advocates for them through the Church and other organizations. Bless and knit extended families and neighbors together in ways that will further support their children.

Forgive us as parents for neglecting our responsibilities by holding others responsible to train our children – whether that is the Church or the school system. Forgive us when we have not prayed for our children. Help us to instill godly values in each life so they will discover their full value and purpose in You. Protect parents of at-risk children and keep them from all evil. Empower them with great grace, patience and wisdom.

Yours, O Lord, is the Kingdom, the power and the glory. It is Jesus’ Name we pray today. Amen.