Pray for GFA's Leprosy Ministry

Leprosy negatively impacts a person's physical, social and mental well-being. Not only does it destroy a person's body by causing permanent nerve damage, but it can also destroy their sense of worth and identity. Patients have reported experiencing shame due to physical disfigurement, fear of rejection, low self-esteem, depression, and, in extreme cases, suicidal thoughts or attempts.¹

Please pray for God to physically heal leprosy patients from their ongoing health challenges. Pray for the Lord's peace to also guard their hearts and minds against the lies of the evil one. May God free them of shame, help them know their infinite worth and restore their dignity.

1 Somar, PMW, Waltz, MM, and van Brakel, WH. “The Impact of Leprosy on the Mental Wellbeing of Leprosy-Affected Persons and Their Family Members – a Systematic Review.” Global Mental Health 7 (2020): e15. https://doi.org/10.1017/gmh.2020.3.

Leprosy patients often face discrimination from their own families. Fear of society will drive some families to disown diagnosed members by kicking them out of the home. Families may also refuse to visit them in the leprosy colonies.

Please ask God to reconcile these families. Pray that those who have abandoned their loved ones will have a change of heart and bring their diagnosed members back home. Pray God will help them overcome their fear of discrimination and learn to love their sick members, regardless of society's judgement.

If a parent has leprosy and is unable to work due to health problems or employer discrimination, they might struggle to provide for their children, including affording tuition and supplies for their child's schooling. This can prevent their child from receiving an education and limit their job opportunities in the future. Without intervention, their children risk being trapped in a cycle of poverty as adults.

Please pray the Lord sends organizations like GFA World to help provide education and vocational training for these precious children. Pray they will grasp what they learn in school, work diligently and be given opportunities to build a stable future for themselves.

Today, leprosy is still widely feared and viewed as a curse or divine punishment. These beliefs perpetuate the discrimination and marginalization of people suffering from leprosy and their families. As a result, many patients hide their diagnosis rather than seek curable treatment. Once the disease causes visible deformaties that can no longer be concealed, these patients and their immediate families are often forced into leprosy colonies, where they will likely spend the rest of their lives. Due to stigma, many will also struggle to find employment and have to beg to survive.

Please join us in asking God to grant local authorities wisdom regarding how to educate their community about leprosy. Pray that those who have been diagnoised with leprosy will have the courage to seek treatment. Pray God will also transform people's hearts and attitudes to be compassionate and accepting of those who suffer from this disease.