Partner in Prayer

The Bible tells us that God hears those who cry out to him, and "the prayer of a righteous man is powerful and effective" (James 5:16).  Prayer is one of the most important things Compassion sponsors can do. Your prayers can help to end the cycle of poverty, abuse and exploitation, as our struggle isn't against flesh and blood, but against the powers of this dark world (Ephesians 6:12).

Please partner with us in prayer by receiving prayer updates. This resource lets you stay informed of the pressing needs of children and Compassion centres around the world. Join us in lifting up God's precious children as a prayer partner in Compassion's Volunteer Network.

Recent Prayers

SHELTER PRAYER FOCUS

Home, sweet home. The place we hang our hats and put up our feet, the place we gather in and retreat to, the roof over our heads. Home is an important concept to all of us and is an essential need in our lives. It provides safety, rest and shelter for us.

COVID-19 has created an increase of housing instability for the most vulnerable around the world. This need may be created by lack of available work due to shut downs, illness or even natural disasters. It is a desperate need for many to find a safe place for their families and it is even more difficult to achieve this with social distancing.

Join us in prayer for the many children and families who need a safe and secure place to call home. Pray for the Compassion centres in their communities as they continue to work hard at providing for the most pressing needs of children and their families.

 

Prayer Points
1. Pray for those who have lost their homes due to lack of work. Pray that new opportunities will arise for them.
2. Pray for those who have lost their homes due to natural disasters. Pray that they will be able to find safe shelter during this time.
3. Pray for the Compassion staff as they seek to help children and families whose housing stability has been compromised due to COVID-19.

 

Lord, You are a safe place to run to. As we think of the children and families who need a safe place to call home, we ask that You provide for them. Shelter them in a time of great instability and provide help to those who need shelter. Grant these children a home where they feel safe and secure. Amen.
THAILAND PRAYER FOCUS

Extreme poverty in Thailand has created a very unsafe environment for many vulnerable children due to the sex trade industry. Poverty creates desperate need and therefore, desperate situations, choices and circumstances. Thailand is one of the world’s most popular sex-tourism destinations and this $12 billion-dollar industry capitalizes on those who are most vulnerable.

We may be gripped by overwhelm when we think of the vulnerable children in Thailand and the seemingly pervasive darkness. But take heart, God has placed His light in Thailand! The church is alive and active, bringing hope, stability and freedom to many children who face desperate need. The church is doing this through holistic child development; caring for vulnerable children’s needs physically, cognitively, socio-emotionally and spiritually.

We can stand together in prayer this month for the vulnerable children who have yet to be reached by the church in Thailand. We can praise God for the way that the church is responding to the desperate need and bringing light into children’s lives. Our prayers are powerful in bringing hope and encouragement to the Thai Church and to the precious children they serve.

 

Prayer Points

1. Pray for God’s light to break into the dark circumstances many Thai children face.
2. Pray for the pastors of Thai churches as they work tirelessly to bring hope to their communities. Pray for wisdom, discernment and resources.
3. Pray that God will work miraculously for the children caught in the sex-trade. Pray that He will deliver them from desperate situations or having to make desperate choices.

 

Lord, You are light. We praise You for how You dispel darkness wherever You are. We come to You and ask that You intervene in the lives of children in Thailand who feel hopeless and trapped in dark circumstances. Be their defense and their light. Free them from oppression and bring them into Your love. Be an ever-present help for the Thai Church as they shine Your light into their nation. We ask You to equip them to reach more children so that they will be released from poverty and all that it encompasses, in Your name. Amen.
COLOMBIA PRAYER FOCUS

“The tangible love of Jesus that the church showed changed their story of despair into a story of hope.”

Late last year, more than 4.5 million Venezuelans fled their country due to the ongoing social, economic and political factors that created a humanitarian crisis. They arrived in Cucuta, Colombia, displaced and desperate, with not much more than the clothes on their backs. Local church partners worked tirelessly to support Venezuelans through this crisis with food, shelter, medicine and other basic needs but now they are faced with yet another crisis: COVID-19. The critical needs of these migrant families has not gone away. They have only increased during this global pandemic.

COVID-19 has forced many Venezuelan migrants to cease all income-generating activities and this has created crippling financial stress. Pray for these brave migrant families. That they would rise above the pandemic with the support of Compassion and their local church community.That they would lean into the Hope of the world, for strength. Praise God that the local church has become a light to shine hope in the midst of their darkness.

 

Prayer Points

1. Pray for the protection of vulnerable children during this pandemic. Many are victims of abuse, living in overcrowded homes with many family members.
2. Pray for provision of critical supplies and support through church partners who are aiming to meet the most urgent needs of children and their families during this difficult time.
3. Pray for the salvation of many as they recognize their value as God’s beloved children.

 

Lord, thank You for the tenacity of migrant Venezuelan families who are striving, against all odds, to build a better life in Cucuta, Colombia. We come to You to ask for protection and safety in this foreign land, that they would be warmly welcomed and supported by Colombians in their new communities. We pray that they will run to You to find the peace and security they seek. Grant them opportunities, Lord, to grow closer to You through the outreach of the local church and find everlasting hope in You. Amen.
MOTHERS PRAYER FOCUS

There is a strength in mothers. They serve one of the most essential roles in all of human culture. In this challenging season, they are essential to their families in so many ways – working hard to provide their families with safety and wellbeing amidst circumstances they have never faced before.

We invite you to pray for mothers – both here and around the world – as they weather these new dynamics affecting their families. Pray for expectant mothers – that they would have peace to soothe anxieties. Pray for mothers with young children who are feeling overwhelmed right now – that they would have patience and grace for each moment. Pray for the single mothers – that they would find strength in the Lord and endurance in this season. Pray for working mothers who are weary from trying to balance work and home life – that they would find rest.

As we think of those prayer requests and the burdens that mothers are shouldering in this time, we can see their incredible strength and resilience. It is not always easy for a mother to see this in herself in the midst of all that she is juggling and caring for. We lift up mothers in prayer this month to honour the essential work that they do for their families and to encourage them in a season when they need it most.

 

Prayer Points

1. Pray for the mothers that you know and the needs you are aware of. Perhaps reach out to one of them to find out how you can pray!
2. Pray for the mothers in Compassion countries. Pray that they will find grace in this time and provision for their family’s needs.
3. Pray for Compassion’s Disaster Relief Fund as it impacts mothers and caregivers around the world.

 

Lord, we come to you today to lift up mothers in this challenging season. Thank you for the gift that they are. We ask, Lord, that you will supply their every need. Encourage them through Your Word and Your people. May they know that their role is essential and incredibly valuable. May they find grace where they feel inadequate. Give them hope, strength and dignity as they care for their families. Bless them and keep them. Amen.
COVID-19 PRAYER FOCUS

It has been a prayerful season. All across the world we are facing turbulent times and unprecedented situations. We have all been interceding in many ways. In some ways, we intercede for the things that are close to home. In others, we intercede for the Lord’s intervention on a global scale.

We recognize that you have already been in prayer for the COVID-19 crisis. We want you to know that we are joining you too, in prayer for yourselves, your family and your loved ones. We invite you to continue to pray for serving in the front lines, for government leaders, pastors and public servants. We are partnering with you in prayer for all of these things that are close to home.

Although not close to home, we know that Compassion countries are close to your heart. A great burden for children across the world is resting on our hearts as we join you in interceding on their behalf. We think of Compassion staff in these countries who are courageously and selflessly caring for children in this time. Our minds turn to children as we lift them up in prayer for protection, health and safety. We join you in prayer for their families, asking God to provide what they need and to intervene on their behalf.

Thank you for your prayerful commitment to Compassion. We are always grateful for your heartfelt intercession as you lift up this ministry in prayer. In this season, more than ever, we are honoured to join you on our knees to lift up this ministry and these precious children.

 

Prayer Points

1. Pray for Compassion sponsors. Pray that they will be secure in the Lord through this time.
2. Pray for Compassion staff around the world. Pray that God will keep them safe as they continue to serve children.
3. Pray for protection and health for Compassion children. Pray that the Lord will provide their every need and keep them in His care.

 

Lord, we come humbly before Your throne and recognize Your sovereignty and goodness. We ask, by Your name, that you will care for Your people in this time while we navigate the COVID-19 crisis. We think of all of the Compassion sponsors and the diverse way that this situation is affecting each of them and their families. Be near them, oh Lord. We also think of the Compassion staff around the world. Bless them for their love and commitment to each and every child. Keep them safe as they serve. Lord, above all, we lift up each child to You. You know them intimately and care for them deeply. We ask that in Your affection, You would keep them and their families safe, healthy and provided for. Show mercy and compassion to them. Amen.
LETTER-WRITING PRAYER FOCUS

Compassion’s ministry is unique and effective in that it focuses on holistic child development. It means we don’t simply respond to poverty by handing out food or Bibles. Instead, we seek to develop children in all the different aspects of their lives—their minds, bodies and relationships—while equipping local churches to share the love of Jesus with them.

Relationships are crucial to a whole and healthy life. It is vital for children to have mature adults in their life who affirm their value, express love and give wise counsel. Many parents deeply love their children but poverty often necessitates that these parents work demanding and time-intensive jobs to provide for their families. This is part of many children’s realities and it can rob children of these types of relationships.

This is why letter-writing is so valuable to Compassion children. This is a need that a loving sponsor can fulfill through their letter-writing relationship. There are also people who dedicate time to write to children whose sponsors are unable to correspond in order to bring this type of relationship to these children. Words of affirmation, love and counsel have a profound impact on the lives of these children. Letters contribute to the holistic child development that Compassion seeks to employ in partnership with the local church.

We pray that these relationships will bear much fruit in the lives of children. That these sponsors and correspondents will come to understand the impact of the words passed back and forth. It is a vital part of this ministry.

 

Prayer Points

1. Pray for sponsors and correspondent volunteers to feel that their letters are making a difference in children’s lives.
2. Pray that the Holy Spirit will guide these relationships and conversations between child and sponsor.
3. Pray that these letters will have great impact in the lives of children and their families.

 

Lord, we pray for the relationships that are built through letter-writing. Thank you for the impact that life-giving words can have on a child’s life and for the rewarding ministry this can be for sponsors. We pray that this profound tool will be used by sponsors to participate in the holistic development of Compassion children. We pray that the words found in these letters will bring much affirmation, love and counsel into the lives of children and that they will receive it with open hearts. Amen.
CANCER PRAYER FOCUS

Cancer. A hard word. A difficult diagnosis. Many of us have had come close to this word at some point in our lives. It is personal and illicits many complex emotions.

February 4th was World Cancer Day and we want to acknowledge those who have come face to face with this diagnosis. We honor those who have fought a cancer battle, those who have walked this journey with family members and friends and those who have lost loved ones to cancer. As we invite you into prayer for Compassion children this month, we also invite you to use these prayer prompts for those in your own homes, families, churches and workplaces who are fighting a battle with cancer. We are praying that God’s grace will be evident in every situation and we join with you in praying for those you love.

This month, join with us in prayer for children who face this diagnosis in the challenging context of poverty. Compassion works to get good health care, treatment and support for those children who are diagnosed with cancer. We want to pray that God will be ever-present in their situations and that they will find grace, hope, support and healing in the name of Jesus.

 

Prayer Points
1. Pray that children fighting cancer will find deep connection and support in their local churches.
2. Pray for resources and wisdom for caretakers of children with cancer.
3. Pray for healing for these precious children.

 

Lord, we pray for children who are facing cancer. Minister your hope to them and encourage them. Bring people to support them and speak life to them. Uphold their families and loved ones as they walk this journey. Lord, we ask that you will intervene in your sovereignty and heal them by your hand. You are a miracle-working God, a healing God and a God who cares deeply for these children. We commit them to your care. Amen.
HAITI PRAYER FOCUS

“To survive in Haiti, you must be resilient. We have no choice.”
Ephraim Lindor, a Compassion Haiti Senior Tour and Visits Specialist, shares about the strength the Haitian people have developed.

Resilency and hope. Haiti is a beautiful country that has had to lean heavily on these two things. Ten years ago, Haiti faced a catastrophic earthquake which deeply impacted the nation. Six years later, in 2016, Haiti endured another natural disaster in Hurricane Matthew. Haitians had no choice but to develop resilency in the midst of incredibly difficult situations. They had to grasp on to hope when they faced circumstances that were out of their ability to control.

Reflecting on these past ten years for Haiti, let’s remember that Haitan children have grown up in the wake of these challenging circumstances. This has a profound impact on them as their parents, families and communities have been shaped by these things. We continue to pray for them to find their hope in Jesus and the future that He has for them.

 

Prayer Points
1. Pray that children in Haiti will feel a sense of security in Christ despite the turbulent circumstances that have been a part of Haiti’s recent history.
2. Pray that the parents, families and communities surrounding these children will embody resilency and hope to them.
3. Pray for the local churches as they continue to rebuild the communities around them and provide safe places for children to flourish.

 

Lord, we think of Haiti and all that it has gone through in these past ten years as a nation. We come to you and ask you to be a shelter and a safe place for Haitian children to build their lives. We give you praise for the resilency and hope that has developed in this nation in the midst of all of these circumstances. We ask that you continue to do a good work through the church so that Haitian children can grow, learn and develop the good purposes you have for them. Amen.
ADVENT PRAYER FOCUS

The multi-dimensional themes of advent are accessible to every age. Hope, peace, joy and love are gifts given in the person of Jesus and this season we take time to unwrap them. It is a significant reflection to participate in. How much more significant for the heart of a child to begin to grasp these rich advent themes! We invite you to pray that children across the world will experience the hope, peace, joy and love that Jesus provides.

Hope. Think of the children who have grown up within the narrative of poverty which has made them feel hopeless. Think of the children who have yet to experience the hope of salvation.

Peace. Think of the children who are in vulnerable situations and need to be protected. Think of the children who carry the worries of this world. Think of the children who have yet to experience the peace that Jesus gives.

Joy. Think of the children who have faced tragedy this year and need a reprieve from grief. Think of the children who need to hear that they have a bright future. Think of the children who have yet to experience the deep residing joy that will carry them through every circumstance.

Love. Think of the children who need to know that they are known and loved. Think of the children who do not know their worth. Think of the children whose hearts need to be captured by the love of Jesus.

This advent season, may we carry these precious themes in our hearts and in our prayers for children all over the world as they celebrate Christmas at their Compassion centres.

Prayer Points
1. Pray that children will have the opportunity to receive the good news of this season.
2. Pray that every child will come to deeply understand the themes of advent in their lives: hope, peace, joy and love.
3. Pray for the local churches as they embody the hope, peace, joy and love of Jesus in their communities. Pray for their ministry in this season.

Lord, we invite you into this Christmas season for children all over the world. Thank you for the ministry of the local churches who are sharing the important themes of advent to children, their families and their communities. We pray that Your hope, peace, joy and love will fill the lives of children and as they put their faith in You. Amen.
LEADERSHIP PRAYER FOCUS

Succession has been somewhat of a buzzword around Compassion Canada for the past year. There has been much excitement and preparation as the organization anticipated a grace-filled, celebratory moment of ushering in new leadership. Compassion Canada, along with the global Compassion family, officially welcomed Allison Alley into her role as President and CEO at the end of October.

We know that the Bible calls us to pray for our leaders. We want to express gratitude and give God praise for His faithfulness during Barry Slauenwhite’s season in leadership. God has done great things! We want to pray with great anticipation of what God will do as a new chapter begins with Allison’s leadership. We are asking God to show His favour and inspire our future by giving our leadership team continued vision and unity.

 

Prayer Points
1. Praise God for His faithfulness to this ministry!
2. Pray that Allison will be strengthened, encouraged and supported as she carries the mission of Compassion forward in her new role as President and CEO.
3. Pray for new opportunities, fresh perspective, and deep impact as God continues to go before Compassion Canada.

 

Lord, we come to you with grateful hearts for your faithfulness to the ministry of Compassion. Thank you for the way you used Barry in his season of leadership and for the amazing growth we have seen as an organization. We ask that you will continue your faithfulness to Compassion as Allison leads us onwards in the mission of releasing children from poverty in Jesus’ name. Bless her and the leadership team of Compassion Canada and give them wisdom and grace in this season. Amen.
BRAZIL PRAYER FOCUS

Brazil is a country that has been under the spotlight in the global scene for the past few years. Hosting the 2016 Summer Olympics and the 2014 soccer World Cup, the world has been able to get an inside look at the vibrant, colourful culture of Brazil. These events gave us a glimpse into the beauty of this country, the diversity of it’s people and the excitement of it’s celebrations. We all got to see Brazil’s shining moment.

 

However, these events came with the price of increased exploitation of Brazil’s vulnerable children. Many children in Brazil live in dangerous slums (called favelas) and experience hopelessness. Poverty exposes children to many difficult situations such as abuse and even risk of abduction. This fear squelches dreams. In the midst of this bright and lively nation, poverty casts a shadow on the future of many of Brazil’s children.

 

Pray that every Brazilian child will find the holistic care that nutures vibrant, colourful dreams. This beautiful, diverse country has a future to be excited about when it’s children are protected, valued and loved. Pray that the light of Christ will bring hope into the lives of the Brazilian children facing the dangers of poverty so that they can live out their fullest potential!

 

Prayer Points

1. Pray that vulnerable children in Brazil will be nurtured by meaningful, life-giving relationships.
2. Pray that the local church in Brazil will fight for the rights of children in their areas and help protect them.
3. Pray that Brazilian children will recognize their value and come to see the gifts and abilities God gave them to make a difference in the world.

 

Lord, we pray for the children of Brazil. Thank you for the wonderful culture and rich diversity that these children belong to. Help them to know how precious they are and how bright their future is when they put their hope in you. Protect them from the dangers of poverty and bring them into the care of loving, nuturing relationships that will help them to dream in ways that honour You and contribute to their communities. Amen.
EDUCATION PRAYER FOCUS

The start of a school year looks different for many countries around the world but going back to school in September has Canadians thinking about education. Regardless of when a school calendar begins and ends, we can all agree that education is very important for children all over the globe. Education deeply affects a child’s whole life. It gives them opportunities, skills and develops their reasoning and critical thinking. It prepares them for the future. We often think of these particular benefits when we think of education.

 

But, there is a significant side of education that we often overlook, especially regarding those in poverty. This is the fact that education is also preventative. It can prevent dangerous situations such as child trafficking, child marriage, child labour and even deaths during childbirth. Education plays a vital role. It protects and provides a future for a child who is vulnerable to these evils.

 

This month, pray that the tool of education will open opportunities for children in poverty and do its part in protecting them. Many children have a deep desire to learn. Let’s pray that they are able to attend school and achieve the purposes and plans that God has for their lives.

 

Prayer Points

1. Pray that more children will receive the opportunity to have an education.
2. Pray for educators and the valued role they play in the life and future of a child.
3. Pray that the darkness of poverty will be counteracted by education and that communities will be transformed by the opportunities that education provides.

 

Lord, we pray for this crucial, life-changing need of education and the deep impact it brings into the lives of children across the globe. Thank you for the protection that education brings to vulnerable children and for the future that it provides. Bring teachers to mind this month as they invest in children and communities and bring students to mind as they diligently set their minds on their studies. Amen.
ECUADOR PRAYER FOCUS

Culture. A significant part of all of our stories. Culture is a deeply significant part of our world. It is the patchwork that humanity is made up of. Like in every corner of our globe, the country of Ecuador has its beautiful mosaic of culture and people groups and every part of the mosaic matters in the grand design. This month’s International Day of the World’s Indigenous Peoples is a wonderful occasion to pray for the nation of Ecuador, where many indigenous tribes reside. We recognize the rich and diverse cultures that are found within the country and pray that every ethnic group will be valued and experience the love of Jesus.

Ecuador was home to the Inca Empire before 1532 when Spanish conqueror Francisco Pizarro invaded. The country then went through centuries of colonial rule until Ecuador became independent in 1830. There is rich history, many people groups and an assemblage of languages found with its borders. All of these factors are valuable and significant parts of every Ecuadorian child’s world.

We can pray that these significant components which shape Ecuadorian children’s lives are validated and honoured. We can invite Christ to work in every ethnic group within Ecuador so that children are released from poverty in Jesus’ name. We can grow closer in partnership and community in ways that are Christ-like and reflect His Kingdom!

 

Prayer Points

1. Pray for the development of resources in indigenous tribe’s native languages.
2. Pray for the local church as it works within its cultural settings to meet pressing needs and share the love of Christ with families living in poverty.
3. Pray for children to recognize the unique ways that they contribute to the Kingdom of God.

 

Lord, help us pray for the children of Ecuador in these next few weeks. Show us how to pray for children whose culture and context is different than our own. May they find hope, joy and purpose in the love of Christ, as we seek to overflow with Your love in our own lives more and more each day. Bring Ecuadorian children to mind everyday so we might deeply minister through prayer to their hearts this month. Amen.
PRAYER FOCUS: UNSPONSORED CHILDREN

Remember the feeling of anticipation you had as a child when you were waiting for good news? Perhaps this was waiting to find out if there would be a snow day, waiting for a parent to come home from a trip or waiting to find out if you got the birthday gift you were hoping for. Remembering that feeling of hope and anticipation in our own childhood can help our hearts deeply respond to children at Compassion centres around the world who are waiting for a sponsor. Sometimes we respond to this reality by sponsoring a child or sharing about Compassion with a friend or family member. This month, we are inviting you to respond in prayer.

For those children who are newly registered at a Compassion centre, we can thank God that they now have access to support through Compassion’s program while waiting for a sponsor. We can pray that they feel loved and supported by the Compassion staff and that they quickly make friends with the other children. We can pray that these children will soon be connected with a loving sponsor who will build relationship with and encourage them.

For those children whose sponsor had to make the difficult decision to stop sponsoring, we can thank God for the provision and love that sponsor was able to provide. We can pray that the child will feel safe to talk about how they feel with the Compassion staff, not being disheartened by their circumstances. We can pray that they will be connected with another sponsor who will continue encouraging and supporting them. And for those children who are close to graduating from the program, we can pray that they will have the determination to continue pursuing their dreams.

There is much we can pray for. We know that every prayer helps support and encourage the children who are waiting for the good news that they have been sponsored.

 

Prayer Points

1. Pray for children to be connected with loving sponsors.
2. Pray for good relationships to be built with Compassion staff and the other children at each centre.
3. Pray for deep encouragement in this season of waiting.

 

Lord, help us pray for unsponsored children in these next few weeks. Show us how to pray for those children who are waiting to be connected to a loving sponsor. May they find peace in the waiting and may their hopes be fulfilled. Bring unsponsored children to mind everyday so we might deeply minister through prayer to their hearts this month. Amen.
GUATEMALA PRAYER FOCUS

Have you ever felt insecure, misplaced or looked down upon? This is a reality for many Guatemalan children today. This month, we are taking time to pray that every Compassion child in Guatemala will find their identity in Christ as a child of God.

The country of Guatemala still feels the lingering aftermath from past seasons of injustice and discrimination. From the mid-19th century until the 1980’s, Guatemala has faced dictatorships, insurgencies, coups and stretches of military rule. As a country, they had very little in terms of representative government in their recent past. This turmoil has been detrimental, particularly towards girls, as this unsettled history has often perpetrated violence towards women. We pray that this generation of Guatemalans will stand secure in the love of Christ and find their place in the family of God.

With a new generation rising up, we recognize that our prayers will make a difference in their lives and the nation of Guatemala. Every child who grows up with a grounded sense of who they are in Christ and a deep connection to their local church has the potential to bring new life to this beautiful country full of rich tradition and culture. Every child has value, a voice and a place in God’s Kingdom. Let’s pray that they come to understand this truth.

 

Prayer Points

1. Restoration of identity in Christ for this new generation of Guatemalans.
2. Sense of belonging within the family of God and nourishing church communities.
3. Opportunities for Guatemalan girls to grow in skills and confidence.

 

Lord, help us pray for Guatemala in these next few weeks. Show us how to pray for our brothers and sisters who are a part of the family of God to which we all belong. May there be restoration of what was broken, lost and discouraged due to discrimination and injustice. Bring Guatemala to mind everyday so we might deeply minister through prayer to the hearts of Guatemalan children this month. Amen.
RWANDA PRAYER FOCUS

Did you know that April marks 25 years since the genocide against the Tutsi people in Rwanda? This significant anniversary has our hearts and minds turned to our Rwandan brothers and sisters.

 

Join us in praying for the deep healing, forgiveness and reconciliation that is still taking place in this beautiful country. We also want to pray specifically for the ongoing trauma counselling that young Rwandans are being offered through Compassion child development centres.

 

Prayer Points:

1. Ongoing Trauma Counselling
2. Forgiveness and Reconciliation
3. Continued healing—emotional, spiritual, and mental

Lord, help us to remember the people of Rwanda this month. Show us how to pray for our brothers and sisters who have so much to teach us about your divine healing, reconciliation and peace. Bring Rwanda to mind everyday so we might deeply minister through prayer to the hearts of Rwandan children this month. Amen.