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There's a Missing Child Who Needs Your Help--Will You?

The power of prayer has been proven for thousands of years. Recent scientific research has begun to weigh in as well, proving the effectiveness of prayer. Even among strangers, over long distances, when the person prayed for had no idea what was happening. So often we feel helpless when we see evil running rampant in our world. And it's particularly heartbreaking when children are abducted. But we can do more than wring our hands, more than post on the Internet, more than hand out fliers, more than raise the awareness about the issue. We can turn to God.

This isn't the time or place for a long, theological discussion about evil and why a loving God would "allow" children to be abducted. Instead, I want to face the situation at hand and try to help.

We know that tens of voices joined together has an effect. Hundreds of voices even more so. Can you imagine the effect of thousands of voices raised in prayer on behalf of these children? In the late 1980's, mass prayer had the documented effect of reducing violent crime in selected cities. In November 1998, mass prayer shut down bombing runs that had begun over Iraq. If we join together in prayer, we can have the same sort of effect on behalf of these missing children.

How?

Begin with YOUR prayers. Go to the Polly Klaas site-or any other-where you can learn about specific kids, not just "children." Then pray for those specific kids. Focus on one at a time. Pray for their safety. Pray that they are comforted. Pray that they become aware of God's presence, even in the midst of their horror. Pray for their safe return. Pray for the person or people who abducted the child. Pray that God would move in their heart, would break the stronghold of evil that has overtaken them. Pray that they are moved to kindness and mercy for the child. Pray for law enforcement to be guided to find the child. Pray that the family and loved ones of the child be comforted and reassured.

Specific prayers for specific children can have specific results.

There's help available for people who don't feel comfortable formulating their own prayers.

But we can take another step beyond individual prayers. I am proposing a Day of Prayer for Missing Children on Wednesday, August 15th. I think a good focal point for prayer would be at 12 noon, EDT. But we shouldn't limit prayer to that time only. Instead, I encourage people all across the US--as well as in other countries--to find at least 5 minutes some time during the day on August 15th. Surely you can commit to spending at least 5 minutes in prayer on August 15th. Pray longer if you can. Pray for specific children.

And as you pray, visualize that child reunited with his or her family. Hold a picture in your mind of that child's happy, smiling face as he or she is being embraced by family and loved ones. Feel in your heart, while you pray, that what you are visualizing, what you are praying for, is actually happening as you are praying. Harness the power of your God-given imagination.

Are you skeptical? Wondering how can this possibly work? I'm sure there are those who will read this or hear about it and conclude that I'm not playing with a full deck. That something like praying for these kids can't possibly work. That it could even cause more damage by raising hope and expectation among the families of these children.

So for you skeptics who have not yet experienced the true power of God's prayer, I suggest a modified "Pascal's Wager."

Even if you don't believe it will work, pray anyway. (God can handle the prayers of those with mixed motivations just as he can handle the prayers of avowed atheists.) Just go ahead and pray. If nothing happens, you will have lost nothing more than 5 minutes on an August day. On the other hand, you just might wind up participating in something that could have ripples in millions of lives. Including yours.

So go ahead. Don't let fear make your decision, let love. Pray for the children. Pray for a child. Look at the picture of the child you have chosen or been led to, look into that child's eyes, and then let your heart speak: that can be your prayer.

Please just don't read this, nod, think it's interesting, and then move on. Stop right now. Find a child to pray for. Then pray. It's not complicated and it could literally change a child's life. Do it. Now.

On behalf of that child, I'd like to thank you.

By Joe Vigliano

A vibrant, meaningful relationship with God--speaking to Him and hearing from Him--begins with prayer. Joe Vigliano has written about the various types, styles, and methods of effective prayer. To improve your prayer life, visit his web site at http://www.focus-on-prayer.com ©2007 Joe Vigliano

Article Source: Faithwriters

We Believe in the Power of Agreement and Will Earnestly Contend for the Goodness of God in your Life.

"All earthly things with earth will fade away, but prayer grasps eternity." - Montgomery