Matthew 25: Prayer for children’s protection
Children are a precious gift from God. As adults, we have the privilege and responsibility to care for them, pray for all children’s protection and safety, and help children around us live the full and abundant life God desires for them. Sadly, love and security aren’t the reality for hundreds of millions of children who suffer from sexual exploitation, labor in hazardous conditions, or unbearable living conditions on the streets.
In some places, warfare can separate children from their families, leaving them vulnerable to exploitation. Children can be forced to join armed rebel groups to serve as soldiers, porters, sex slaves, and more. Extreme drought and hunger can force families to make desperate choices about putting children to work or girls into child marriages.
Despite being outlawed in many countries, girls are still undergoing female genital mutilation (FGM). In other places, children are trafficked for sex, sent to work in dangerous factories, or locked into domestic servitude. And in some countries — the U.S. included — gang violence tears families apart and creates a culture of violence that draws youth into harmful activities.
Child abuse, neglect, exploitation, child labor, bodily harm, child marriage, and other forms of harm against children — even murder and child sacrifice — are among the greatest evils in the world. Join us in prayer for the protection of children, for an end to all harm against children, for the children who remain trapped in this nightmare, and for World Vision’s work to protect children around the world.
“I have come in order that you might have life — life in all its fullness.”
Pray for supernatural protection for children.
The criminals who exploit children roam the world like the predators they truly are, looking to prey upon the vulnerable. They use lies, threats, coercion, and violence to force children into sexual and other kinds of exploitation. This is an evil business of supply and demand. Ask God to eliminate the demand and blind their eyes from seeing potential “supply” in children.
Dear Lord, Your Word is filled with accounts of miraculous protection. We claim that power for vulnerable children. Make Your little ones invisible to people who seek to exploit them. Whisper in the ears of the children to run and hide until the danger passes.
Pray for the safety of children working in hazardous conditions.
At the beginning of 2020, nearly 1 in 10 children were involved in child labor. That same report states that almost half are involved in the worst forms of child labor, including mining, construction, scavenging, domestic and factory work, and agriculture. Hazardous conditions endanger children’s health, safety, and moral development. Ask God to keep children from harm as they struggle under heavy loads and work with unsafe tools and harsh chemicals.
Lord, we know You love all children, and we pray that when they must work, that You would protect children’s growing bodies. Please keep them safe and free of injuries and toxins. Deliver them from oppressive bosses and hazardous conditions. Make it possible from children at risk to stay in school.
Pray for an end to child labor.
Child labor can be fought at many levels:
- Governments can enact or strengthen laws around human trafficking and labor.
- Corporations can ensure that children are not exploited along their supply chains.
- Communities can take greater responsibility for collectively protecting children.
- Families can value their children’s well-being above economics.
Pray for the power of God’s love to counter greed and desperation to change the hearts of people who can create better circumstances for children.
Lord, You are our provider, and we know all good things come from Your hand. Help families to find reliable incomes so children don’t have to work. We pray that laws and cultural practices would help protect children from a childhood of abuse and suffering.
Pray to eradicate the root causes of child exploitation.
Child exploitation means using a child for profit, labor, sexual gratification, or for some other personal or financial advantage. At the heart of child exploitation are complex issues, including extreme poverty, that can lead parents to make heartbreaking decisions to sell their children in the hopes of a better life. Sometimes moms and dads are tricked into believing that their children will work in a wealthy person’s home and will be treated fairly. But many are held in a slavery-like situation. Throughout the world, sin leads people to put their evil desires above all else, ignoring how they destroy the lives of innocent children. Ask God to do what only He can — soften people’s hearts and heal their minds.
Dear Lord, Your Word calls us to hunger and thirst for righteousness — a righteousness that leads to compassion for the poor and a renewing of minds. Lead us to this kind of faith that works to make a better world for all children.
Pray for an end to human trafficking.
Human trafficking is modern-day slavery. It's estimated that over $150 billion per year profit is made by criminals who exploit trafficked victims for both sexual and economic purposes, with two-thirds of that profit coming from forced sexual exploitation. Many are sold into prostitution to pay off family debts or abducted from the streets and forced to work in brothels. Children who escape or are rescued face a difficult physical and emotional recovery process — often suffering with PTSD, anxiety, depression, and substance abuse.
Dear God, there are times when it is right — and righteous — to be angry. It is right to be angry about people who exploit children. Let that righteous anger fuel action, Lord. Don’t let it fade into complacency.
Pray for female genital mutilation (FGM) to stop.
World Vision and other organizations are educating and empowering girls and their communities to end FGM, often substituting positive rites of passage for teen girls and boys. But unless efforts to end FGM are increased, 4.6 million girls are estimated to be at risk by 2030.
Lord God, help families that practice FGM see its damaging effects on girls and young women. Motivate these families to turn away from inhumane practices and protect their female children from all forms of harm, including FGM. Renew efforts to promote alternative rites of passage that were stalled during the pandemic so that more girls won’t undergo FGM. Lay a hand of protection over girls at risk of FGM.
Pray for an end to child marriage.
At the age of 16, Sumaiya was preparing for exams when she learned that her aunt and uncle — who were caring for her — wanted to marry her off. Their family faced extreme poverty and felt that giving her in marriage would relieve the burden on the rest of the family
Fortunately, Sumaiya is a member of World Vision-led adolescent club where they receive training about how to avoid child marriage and become change makers in their community. The club advocated on her behalf and got the wedding called off.
In developing countries, one in five girls under the age of 18 are married or in an informal union. Fear of premarital pregnancy, rape, hunger, homelessness, and harmful traditional practices are all drivers of child marriage. Girls also marry because of threats and coercion. Of the 25 countries with the highest rates, the majority are affected by conflict, fragility, or natural disasters.
Girls trapped in child marriage tend to be under-educated and live in impoverished rural areas where birth and death rates are high and conflict is common. They are more likely to experience domestic violence, forced sexual relations, and poor reproductive health.
World Vision helps organize local leaders, parents, educators, law enforcement, and social services to support girls in pursuing education and delaying marriage. And World Vision children’s clubs empower girls like Sumaiya with information, particularly on child rights and healthy physical development.
Lord, we echo the psalmist’s confidence that You will deliver those who cry out to You for help. See to the needs of precious girls and boys vulnerable to child marriage or already trapped in its grasp. Hear and answer their cries for help. Protect those who are most at-risk for child marriage. May cultures where it is accepted and encouraged learn of the harm it causes to children and change these societies.
Pray for children to find their identity in Christ — not gangs.
Drug trafficking, gang activity, easy access to guns, and ineffective justice systems have contributed to high levels of crime and violence in Central America and urban areas worldwide. Even people living in small towns fear being robbed, threatened, extorted, or kidnapped. A 2024 report released by The Citizen Council for Public Security and Criminal Justice — a Mexico City-based advocacy group — says 42 of the 50 most violent cities in the world are in the Latin or South America. Pray for World Vision’s work, which helps young people find their identity in Christ — not gangs — and teaches them vocational skills so they can better resist the temptation of easy money from criminal activities.
Lord, chaos and fear cripple communities overrun by gang violence. Thank You so much for the gift of Your Son. Through Him, we truly become a new creation. We claim Jesus’ blessing for peacemakers in Matthew 5:9. Help young people see themselves the way You see them, so they can help bring peace and hope to other people’s lives.
Pray for World Vision’s work to protect children.
Inspired by World Vision founder Bob Pierce’s prayer, “Let my heart be broken with the things that break the heart of God,” World Vision works to protect children from all forms of harm. This includes preventing children from being trapped in abusive circumstances; protecting children with shelter and healthcare; and restoring children through life-skills training, education, and reintegration with families. Pray for strength and courage for staff at the forefront of this work and for donors to give generously to help even more children.
Prince of Peace, You know the challenges our brothers and sisters face in helping people and working for peace. We ask that You give grace to World Vision’s staff to fulfill the responsibilities You’ve placed in their hands. Thank You for empowering them to be Your hands and feet.
Tatiana Ballay of World Vision’s DRC staff and Lipy Mary Rodrigues of World Vision’s Bangladesh staff contributed to this story.
Help protect children around the world.
Article updated on May 28, 2024
Built with Shorthand