Help us change lives

Could you inspire prayer for the persecuted church?

Why is it that we are surprised when God answers prayer? In 2008 I was on an Open Doors ministry trip visiting a Children's Centre that provides a safe haven for children affected by the violence and persecution in Colombia. Many of the children have lost parents or siblings because of their families' Christian faith; others were at risk of being forcibly recruited into the illegally armed groups.

Children like Braulio* and Fercho*. When their mum took them to the safety of the Children's Centre, their older brother had already been killed and their sister Sandralí* and brother Alfonso* had been recruited and taken by an armed group.

While adults talk in complicated terms about why the illegal armed groups persecute Christians, Fercho's thoughts are simpler. He knows that the guerrillas are 'bad men' who lead young people and children to murder. Fercho felt strongly convicted to pray, particularly for Sandralí.

"I had asked God for her to leave these people and return to my mom. At the Children's Centre I have time to pray, and since our pastor taught us that whatever request we bring to the Lord with faith would be done, I kept praying."

The answer to this prayer came in 2009 when Sandralí escaped the armed group and visited her brothers at the Children's Centre. God has used each staff member at the Children's Centre to encourage Fercho to continue believing and trusting in God's promises. Fercho is aware that Alfonso could be killed just as Mario was, but he has learned to pray for his brother and to ask God to change his life.

After seeing his sister Braulio said, "Now, I also want Alfonso to leave those people... if I keep praying, I believe that God can do it."

Over the past two years some of our Church Reps have been encouraging their churches to support these children in prayer and practical ways. Over 500 cards of encouragement – including Christmas cards – have been sent to children like Braulio* and Fercho* assuring them of the love and support of their Christian family around the world. They have been prayed for and money has been raised to help support the Children's Centre.

It has been amazing for me to see so many people reaching out to these precious children and being part of God's answer. If you would like your church to help with a specific project like the Children's Centre, please email info@opendoorsuk.org to find out which projects need your help in 2010/2011.

Become a Church Rep and inspire your church to pray for persecuted Christians.

Sarah

*names changed for security reasons