Uganda
· Give thanks and praise to God for the work of the Invisible Children movement and the efforts of thousands of young people in this country who are raising awareness about the plight of children in Northern Uganda.
· Please pray for peace in Northern Uganda and an end to the 20-year-old conflict that has displaced millions of people and killed and harmed hundreds of thousands of children. Pray for all children affected by this violent conflict.
· Give God thanks that 400 children are now receiving an education in Northern Uganda and 150 people are employed in the IDP camps, thanks to the efforts of Invisible Children, Inc.
· Pray for the 50 young people traveling throughout the United States with the Invisible Children road tour and pray that hearts and minds of the audiences that see the film are open to the needs of the children in Northern Uganda.
Sudan
· Please pray for children in the Boma area of southern Sudan (near the Ethiopian border) who have never been able to attend school or had a school in their region. Pray that the efforts of Sudan Partners International will be successful and that they will be able to build and staff a school in Upper Boma.
· Please be in prayer for the children of the Darfur area of Sudan where violence is increasing not only against the displaced people of Darfur, but against humanitarian aid workers as well. Pray for peace and an end to this conflict.
India (Dalit Freedom Network)
· Please pray that the Dalit (untouchable) children of India will find freedom in this lifetime from caste-imposed spiritual, physical and emotional slavery. Please pray for the health and safety of all Dalit children and their families. Hindu fundamentalist organizations regularly and systematically persecute Dalits and support anti-conversion legislation that doesn’t allow them to become Christians.
· Pray that Dalit children and their families will hear the Good News—that they will know God loves them unconditionally and that they were made in God’s image. Pray for the safety and welfare of Christian individuals and organizations who witness this gospel message to the Dalits.
· Pray that enough schools will be constructed in order that all Dalit children may receive an education. Please pray that the organizations and individuals working to build 1000 schools for Dalit children will be successful in their efforts.
· Please pray that many people would be moved to sponsor 4000 Dalit children in the coming year, providing them with a bilingual education, uniforms, midday meals and textbooks.
China
Two little girls supported by Vision for China have been undergoing medical treatment over the last year. Katie, 2, has a heart defect and needed surgery last June. She has made a very good recovery and is gaining weight, but her development has been slightly delayed by her illness. Cheryl, 4, has a condition affecting her spine and rib-cage, and has been fitted with a brace to keep her bones aligned. She needs an operation, but as she has had TB recently she cannot have surgery yet.
· Thank God that Katie has recovered from her operation, and pray that she will stay in good health until the heart defect can be properly corrected in five years' time.
· Pray for Cheryl to get used to her body brace and to be well enough to go through the operation she needs.
· Pray both of these little girls will find loving homes and families who can give them the support and security they need.
Cambodia
We often start the New Year full of plans and hopes, working out how we can make them a reality in the course of the year. This month, the Chab Dai network in Cambodia is calling supporters to think about the dreams and aspirations of women and children who are being sexually exploited, or who have gone through that trauma in the past. Often they lack the opportunities and resources to shape their futures, and feel that their lives cannot turn around for the better.
· Please pray that all those who have been trafficked or exploited will realize that God has plans to give them a hope and a future. Pray that they will not be afraid to pursue their dreams.
· Thank God for Chab Dai's partners working to reintegrate people into normal life, after they have been freed from abusive situations. Pray for God to restore them and give them a brighter future.
