HOPE PRAYER TEAM
HOPE IN HARD PLACES
H O P E P R AY E R T E A M
LIPY MARY RODRIGUES/WORLD VISION
APRIL 2015
Pray for Bangladesh When Sebika* was 14 years old, she found herself helping her parents prepare for a wedding. Little did she know, it was her own. Her parents sent her to the grocery store for some last-minute items before the celebration, but when she got there, her neighbors scolded her, asking why she would shop on her wedding day. “I was really astonished and became angry with that lady for telling such nonsense,” Sebika says. “But after returning home, I found the groom’s relatives coming with a wedding dress.” Due to their poverty, her parents feared for her long-term security, so they gave her away to a man about the same age as her father. Now, at age 17, Sebika already has two children, and her dreams of attending college and becoming a social worker have long disappeared. In Bangladesh, where Sebika lives, this is reality for so many girls. The country has one of the
highest rates of child marriage in the world, and 66 percent of women ages 20 to 24 were married before age 18, despite laws prohibiting it. But early marriage is just one problem that chil“But let justice roll dren in Bangladesh face that contribon like a river, utes to the counrighteousness like a try’s rank at 29 on the Fragile States never-failing stream!” Index. This month, join us in praying — Amos 5:24 for Bangladeshi children as they face so many issues keeping them from realizing life in all its fullness. *Name changed to protect identity.
Content and design by Content Curation, WVUS. To receive the Hope Prayer Team email in your inbox each month, sign up at worldvision.org/prayerteam.
PRAY for early marriage to end. LIPY MARY RODRIGUES/WORLD VISION
Because Sebika has seen her dreams fade due to her early marriage, she hopes for better for her two daughters. “I was married at a very young age and could not enjoy my childhood,” she says. “I have two daughters. I will let them live freely. I will make them educated. The dream I had dormant in me, I will surely fulfill through my daughters’ lives. I will never let my daughters be prisoners like me.” World Vision in Bangladesh won awards for its “Bride Not Before 18” campaign last year and works diligently to help prevent girls from being married off.
Father, our hearts hurt when we read stories like Sebika’s. Work in people’s hearts to show them there is a better way for their daughters. And for those women who married young, bring them peace and comfort in the midst of their pain. Convict leaders of the need to enforce laws meant to keep girls safe.
PRAY for decreased poverty. MUHAMED KHALIDUZZAMAN/WORLD VISION
Grinding poverty is a big reason parents marry their daughters off at early ages. In Bangladesh, 26 million children live below the national poverty line and many live without basic necessities, such as water, sanitation, nutrition, education, and shelter. World Vision’s sponsorship programs in Bangladesh help provide children and their families with these basic needs, while also helping make lasting changes for future generations.
Provider God, we know that You are able to do “immeasurably more than all we ask or imagine,” (Ephesians 3:20) so please, through Your power at work in the hands of World Vision staff, meet the needs of more people. Bring them hope in the midst of their suffering. And encourage hearts as people continue to make the effort to improve their incomes.
GLORIA DAS/WORLD VISION
PRAY for children not to work. When Liza was just 6 years old, she left home to work as a maid in the city of Rangpur in northern Bangladesh, earning just US$5 a month. Thirteen percent of Bangladeshi children are involved in child labor, which often denies them an education and leaves them vulnerable to violence and abuse. Liza hoped to be able to attend school while living in the city, but that hasn’t happened. Now as an 11-year-old, she attends a nonformal education center operated by World Vision so she can learn outside of her work hours.
Lord of hope, be with these little ones performing jobs not meant for children to do. Guide them to opportunities to learn and show their families how working hurts their children. Empower leaders to swiftly end child labor.
WORLD VISION
PRAY for children to attend school. Driving along a country highway in northern Bangladesh, it would be easy to ignore Khayerdara, a tiny ethnic minority village. But one of World Vision’s shining examples of educational progress resides here, in a country where less than 80 percent of students finish primary school, and only 46 percent of boys and 53 percent of girls attend high school. Khayerdara’s primary school has transformed the community. Prior to 1987, no schools existed, and children didn’t attend school, but soon World Vision opened the school with just two grades. Within months, attendance jumped from 35 to 85 percent. Throughout the last three decades, the school now has five grades and attendance is about 90 percent.
Jesus, we thank You for the amazing progress made in Khayerdara. Be with World Vision staff as they continue to open and operate schools throughout Bangladesh. Stir in parents’ hearts a desire to send their children to class and provide opportunities that keep children in school.
H O P E P R AY E R T E A M
LIPY MARY RODRIGUES/WORLD VISION
APRIL 2015
Pray for Bangladesh When Sebika* was 14 years old, she found herself helping her parents prepare for a wedding. Little did she know, it was her own. Her parents sent her to the grocery store for some last-minute items before the celebration, but when she got there, her neighbors scolded her, asking why she would shop on her wedding day. “I was really astonished and became angry with that lady for telling such nonsense,” Sebika says. “But after returning home, I found the groom’s relatives coming with a wedding dress.” Due to their poverty, her parents feared for her long-term security, so they gave her away to a man about the same age as her father. Now, at age 17, Sebika already has two children, and her dreams of attending college and becoming a social worker have long disappeared. In Bangladesh, where Sebika lives, this is reality for so many girls. The country has one of the
highest rates of child marriage in the world, and 66 percent of women ages 20 to 24 were married before age 18, despite laws prohibiting it. But early marriage is just one problem that chil“But let justice roll dren in Bangladesh face that contribon like a river, utes to the counrighteousness like a try’s rank at 29 on the Fragile States never-failing stream!” Index. This month, join us in praying — Amos 5:24 for Bangladeshi children as they face so many issues keeping them from realizing life in all its fullness. *Name changed to protect identity.
Content and design by Content Curation, WVUS. To receive the Hope Prayer Team email in your inbox each month, sign up at worldvision.org/prayerteam.
PRAY for early marriage to end. LIPY MARY RODRIGUES/WORLD VISION
Because Sebika has seen her dreams fade due to her early marriage, she hopes for better for her two daughters. “I was married at a very young age and could not enjoy my childhood,” she says. “I have two daughters. I will let them live freely. I will make them educated. The dream I had dormant in me, I will surely fulfill through my daughters’ lives. I will never let my daughters be prisoners like me.” World Vision in Bangladesh won awards for its “Bride Not Before 18” campaign last year and works diligently to help prevent girls from being married off.
Father, our hearts hurt when we read stories like Sebika’s. Work in people’s hearts to show them there is a better way for their daughters. And for those women who married young, bring them peace and comfort in the midst of their pain. Convict leaders of the need to enforce laws meant to keep girls safe.
PRAY for decreased poverty. MUHAMED KHALIDUZZAMAN/WORLD VISION
Grinding poverty is a big reason parents marry their daughters off at early ages. In Bangladesh, 26 million children live below the national poverty line and many live without basic necessities, such as water, sanitation, nutrition, education, and shelter. World Vision’s sponsorship programs in Bangladesh help provide children and their families with these basic needs, while also helping make lasting changes for future generations.
Provider God, we know that You are able to do “immeasurably more than all we ask or imagine,” (Ephesians 3:20) so please, through Your power at work in the hands of World Vision staff, meet the needs of more people. Bring them hope in the midst of their suffering. And encourage hearts as people continue to make the effort to improve their incomes.
GLORIA DAS/WORLD VISION
PRAY for children not to work. When Liza was just 6 years old, she left home to work as a maid in the city of Rangpur in northern Bangladesh, earning just US$5 a month. Thirteen percent of Bangladeshi children are involved in child labor, which often denies them an education and leaves them vulnerable to violence and abuse. Liza hoped to be able to attend school while living in the city, but that hasn’t happened. Now as an 11-year-old, she attends a nonformal education center operated by World Vision so she can learn outside of her work hours.
Lord of hope, be with these little ones performing jobs not meant for children to do. Guide them to opportunities to learn and show their families how working hurts their children. Empower leaders to swiftly end child labor.
WORLD VISION
PRAY for children to attend school. Driving along a country highway in northern Bangladesh, it would be easy to ignore Khayerdara, a tiny ethnic minority village. But one of World Vision’s shining examples of educational progress resides here, in a country where less than 80 percent of students finish primary school, and only 46 percent of boys and 53 percent of girls attend high school. Khayerdara’s primary school has transformed the community. Prior to 1987, no schools existed, and children didn’t attend school, but soon World Vision opened the school with just two grades. Within months, attendance jumped from 35 to 85 percent. Throughout the last three decades, the school now has five grades and attendance is about 90 percent.
Jesus, we thank You for the amazing progress made in Khayerdara. Be with World Vision staff as they continue to open and operate schools throughout Bangladesh. Stir in parents’ hearts a desire to send their children to class and provide opportunities that keep children in school.
