|
|
|
|
A weekly prayer journey with IJM |
|
|
The holiday season reminds us that life's greatest joys often show up in the smallest ways. The smell of home, the laughter of a child, the embrace of a loved one – these are the little things that mean everything to us. These are the ordinary joys of life in freedom.
This December, we invite you to join us for a special rhythm of prayer and thanksgiving for the little things. Each Saturday, instead of our usual regional prayer requests, we’ll reflect on one “little thing” that freedom brings—laughter, rest, creativity, joy—and give thanks for these beautiful moments survivors can now experience again in freedom.
Thank you for joining us in prayer as we celebrate what God is making possible through justice.
Because the little things that mean everything to you mean everything to them, too. |
|
|
|
Pray for Laughter |
|
“Our mouths were filled with laughter, our tongues with songs of joy. Then it was said among the nations, ‘The Lord has done great things for them.’” |
|
– Psalm 126:2 |
When every moment is consumed by fear, there is no room left for the possibility of joy. Just last year, this was the experience of two little sisters named Vijayalakshmi and Nandini. After being forced to work all day and night on an abusive duck farm, they made a daring escape. With the help of IJM-trained authorities, the sisters made it back home safely to reunite with their parents.
Today, Vijayalakshmi and Nandini are safe. And joy has begun to take root again as they embrace the fullness of freedom. If you visited their home, you would find the sisters giggling and dancing together, or having their mother do their hair.
Now that they are safe, they can embrace the ordinary joys of freedom in the little things.
This week, we invite you to pray for laughter. |
|
|
|
Prayer Points: |
-
Praise God for the gift of laughter, in our own lives and the lives of survivors like Vijayalakshmi and Nandini’s, that it would be a beautiful reflection of safety and healing.
-
Pray for those still living in fear, that they would soon experience the kind of protection, healing, and safety that allows laughter to return.
-
Pray for strength and wisdom on behalf of IJM staff and local partners who will be working hard throughout the season to bring families back together.
This year, we’re celebrating the joy of freedom found in the little things because of stories like Appa Rao's. | |
|
|
|
|
The updates we share on survivors or their cases can become sensitive over time. To respect and protect them, please refrain from posting these prayer requests online. |
|
| | |
|
