Praise God for the abundance of mercy and grace He displays toward us throughout our lives. Ask Him to help us all grow in our love for one another and our neighbors. Pray for us all to resist the temptation toward showing favoritism.

This week we are praying for Brook Hills Foster Care Ministry and other ministries in and around the city of Birmingham and the families whose lives they touch. There are currently 6,000 children in foster care in the state of Alabama. In Jefferson and Shelby counties alone, there are over 1,000 children in foster care, and with more kids coming into care each month. Many more licensed foster homes are needed so children can receive the care they need. We are also praying for Hunter Street Baptist Church and Pastor Buddy Gray.

DAY 1: Pray for the children in Brook Hills foster care homes. Ask our Father to comfort them in their loss and confusion, to protect their hearts, help them build trusting relationships, and to find healing. Pray for grace filled gospel conversations with our children in care. Ask the Lord to call more foster parents from among our faith family.

DAY 2: Pray our foster parents will guard and protect their time with the Lord, that they will spend time in the Word and in prayer so they are able to parent out of His provision and grace and not out of their own strength.

DAY 3: Pray for wisdom for those in our Court system: judges, attorneys, guardians ad litem (GALs), court appointed special advocates (CASA) and forensic interviewers. Ask the Father to give them wisdom as they represent and advocate for children in care.

DAY 4: Pray for our Birmingham agency and ministry partners that train and license foster parents. Ask our Father to encourage them as they spend countless hours facilitating classes, doing home studies, and dealing with mountains of paperwork.  

DAY 5: Pray for the many Birmingham agencies and ministry partners supporting foster and adoptive families including, Alabama Baptist Children’s Homes and Family Ministries, Pathways Professional Counseling, Lifeline Children’s Services, Families Count, Blanket Fort Hope, Alabama DHR staff, APAC Adoption Services, Owen’s House, Prescott Place, Grace House, and King’s Home.

DAY 6: Give thanks for the amazing Brook Hills Care Community volunteers, the buddy ministry and small groups who are giving of their time and talents to love and support kids in care and their foster families. Pray for our ministry leadership team as we welcome and equip new volunteers and seek to care well for both our families and our volunteers.

This week, we are highlighting some ways we have been able to partner globally with organizations who care for orphans and vulnerable children, Lifeline and Compassion.

DAY 1: Central Asia with Lifeline: Pray for an orphanage with whom we’ve been partnering for many years that has been preparing young ladies with life skills in sewing. Pray for these young ladies to be nurtured in the faith and to glorify Christ with their lives.

DAY 2: Pray for the leaders of the orphanage in Central Asia as they serve tirelessly every day. Pray for their strength and their encouragement in the Spirit. 

DAY 3: This orphanage is shifting toward more of a school model. Pray for resources, wisdom, and favor with local authorities as they make this shift.

DAY 4: Compassion Ministries in Togo: Pray for the children who are being nurtured for holistic development at the Child Survival Programs through local churches in Togo in Africa. Pray for their eyes to be opened to the glory of Jesus and for their continued discipleship.

DAY 5: Pray for the local church leaders of the efforts in Togo: for their strength, for their faithfulness, and for their perseverance to continue to disciple children and serve families.

DAY 6: Pray for God to raise up sponsors for the children who have yet to be sponsored through this Compassion project.