malaria hope
Pray the News – October 10th, 2021
This week, the news item that tugged at my heart was the astoundingly good news that after 30 years of research and development, a vaccine for malaria (RTS,S) has been recommended for widespread use for the first time in history! For centuries, malaria has stalked sub-Saharan Africa, causing immense personal suffering. In that part of the world, malaria remains a primary cause of childhood illness and death. More than 260,000 African children under the age of five die from malaria each year. Let’s pause and let that sink in. That’s over 700 precious young children every single day. But this malaria vaccine is good news, really good news, because help is on the way. Will you join me in praying for the help to reach the children who are in need?
Lord, we thank You for giving us minds to think and that many people over many years have worked together to find ways to prevent or treat diseases. These are good gifts from You and we praise You!
We ask that You would remove hindrances and barriers that might stand in the way of children and their families receiving these life-saving vaccines. Where there is corruption, we ask You for justice. Where there are transportation problems, we ask You to make a way. Where there are financial troubles, we ask You for provision. Where there are shortages of healthcare workers, we ask You to send willing hands to help. Where there is despair, we ask You to send hope. Where there is darkness, we ask You to shine the light of Your presence and power.
We pray that You would protect all sub-Saharan African children from malaria and bless them to grow into healthy adults. We pray boldly for all of the countless millions of people who are at risk for contracting malaria, that You would bring Kingdom transformation so that each child and each adult would live out the full number of days You have designed for them in fullness of health. Let Your kindness lead each one to You, Jesus. We cry out to You because You are good! We are overwhelmed by the magnitude of the suffering. It’s too much for us to bear or even comprehend. But we trust You and are confident that You have everything that each precious child needs. Come, Lord Jesus! Come, Holy Spirit! We want to be overwhelmed by You. Yours is the Kingdom and the power and the glory now and forever, Amen!
