June 16th was the Day of the African Child. June 20th was World Refugee Day.
Though time has passed since both of those days, I wanted to shine the spotlight on these two very important people groups, both of which are important to this blog.
They usually get forgotten and left behind otherwise; that is why it is so important to pay them the focus that they so desperately need. According to Humanitarian Aid Relief Trust, “In the north of the country [of Nigeria], poverty levels are 40% higher than in the southern states. Nigeria has the highest number of children out of school in the world, and many of these are in northern Nigeria.” As if it wasn’t worse enough, many of these impoverished parents and children have had to become refugees within their own nation, or in surrounding nations, due to Boko Haram and Fulani Herdsmen violence.
This is incredibly sad. But why does it matter? Well, when you think about it, Christ, being fully man, knows exactly what these people have gone through. In the way that Jesus truly had “no place to lay his head” while on this earth, Christ knows what it feels like to be refugee.
In the same token, though He was not born in Africa, He faced the troubles that come with living in this broken, shattered world.
He came to fulfill the Father’s work, so that all those who believe on Him can say, “It is finished.”
He came to perfectly obey, so that we would not have to to earn “a place in Heaven.”
He sacrificed Himself, and suffered, so that we could have life– and life abundant (John 10:10).
He did all of it of His own volition– gladly.
Because He Loves you, oh sinful woman.
Because He cares for you, oh marginalized man.
Because he sees you as precious in His Sight, oh forgotten one.
We have all been these people one time or another. Christ knows these people, and they– we– are very close to His Heart.
“God sets the lonely in families,
he leads out the prisoners with singing;
but the rebellious live in a sun-scorched land.”
(Psalm 68:6, NIV)
To live in horrible conditions does not automatically mean that a person is rebellious; rather, it is a promise that those who rebel against Christ, such as Boko Haram, have their judgment coming to them, guaranteed.
In light of this amazing Love Jesus has poured out on us, let’s lift up these vulnerable people, so that Jesus might do what only He can do. May they be protected, provided for, and blessed in the deepest, most pressing ways.
Today, will you spend some time– be it a minute, an hour, or a day– lifting up these vulnerable, precious people to Jesus? If you can, like/comment on this post if you have prayed for these people so that we can get a tally of who is praying for them!
As always, thank you friends, for your Love, Support, and Prayers!
Do you know Jesus?
Jesus– who is both God and Man– give it all so that He might have us, and save us forever. Learn more about Jesus, and what He has done, here.
Please pray for…
- The men, women, and children of Africa. That they would receive the help and relief that they so deeply need.
- Those who are currently refugees. Pray that they, too, would receive the help and relief they so desperately need and look to. May they find an ultimate home and refuge in Jesus!
- The Chibok girls and Leah Sharibu. That they would come home soon. See their names and pictures, here.
ISAIAH 62 PRAYER MINISTRY 