Monthly Prayer Focus

Did you know that 40 percent of India's 1 billion people are under the age of 18? The percentage is similar in Bhutan, Nepal, Bangladesh and other countries where Gospel for Asia works.

Disease, hunger and loneliness stalk the teenagers of these countries, and GFA-supported missionaries know that they need the message of Jesus' love just as much as their parents.

Through obeying Jesus' command to care for them, these missionaries are reaching nearly half of that society! Here's how you can pray for the teenagers, and the missionaries reaching out to them.

South Asia has the world's highest number of malnourished children. About 20 percent of all the childhood deaths in the world happen in one country—India. Worse still, the majority of these deaths could be prevented if the children had access to clean water and an understanding of proper hygiene practices, such as washing their hands. But most of society doesn't really care that these children are dying because they come from the most neglected and vulnerable children in all the world—the Dalits ("Untouchable").

But there is hope for these children. Each GFA Bridge of Hope child learns proper hygiene and receives a yearly medical checkup. For many, it will be the first time they've ever seen a doctor.

Pray for good health and protection from disease.

Unthinkable evil await Asia's young people as they journey from childhood to adulthood. Bonded labor and human trafficking are ever-present threats—especially for children who grow up on the streets. Other snares waiting to snatch them up include drug, alcohol and tobacco addictions.

Pray for protection from exploitation.

Prem is a little boy from a Nepal village who attended a GFA-sponsored Vacation Bible School. It was the very first time the 8-year-old had ever heard about Bible stories. But it didn't take him long to make up his mind about the Savior he learned about that week. At the end of the VBS, Prem, along with 30 other children, decided to follow Christ. Vacation Bible school programs are traditionally aimed at young children, but GFA-supported VBS programs include classes for teenagers and even adults. They have found that you're never too young—or too old—to hear about the Savior.

Pray that each child who attends VBS will choose to trust Jesus.

Each year, GFA workers take the message of God's love to teens and young people via youth camps. The teens who come to these events hear messages about God's love for them, and receive teaching on subjects specifically relevant to their lives. Many youth have said they finally heard the real answers to their problems. For some, this is the very first time to hear about Jesus.

Pray for GFA Youth Camps to draw many young people to a close walk with God.

Even the teenagers in GFA-supported missionaries' churches can change their friends' lives. Thirteen-year-old Janya led her gang-member brother to the Lord, and then went on to touch many more young lives!

Pray for the Lord to give much favor as Christian youth reach out to their friends and neighbors!

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