Many children in foster care feel like they don't have a prayer... Let's change that!
Did you know that May 17-24th is National Foster Care Prayer Week? Would you join me this week to pray for our children in foster care and those who care for them? If you've been following my blog, you might know that my husband and I are getting involved in foster care. But you can too! We are all called upon to help our orphans... the Bible tells us so:
Defend the poor and fatherless.
Psalm 82:3
Execute true justice,
Show mercy and compassion
Everyone to his brother.
Do not oppress the widow or the fatherless,
The alien or the poor.
Zechariah 7:9-12
When you hear the word fatherless or orphan, who do you think about? There are orphans in far away countries... but there are also orphans in your very own neighborhood.
In Arkansas, there are about 3,500 children in foster care at any given time. In my county alone, there are 1,100 but only 233 families to care for them. The other children must go to emergency shelters. Can you imagine? Can you imagine going through a crisis in your family that would require you to be removed from your home as a young child, and then going to a DHS office only to find out there is no home for you, and then ending up in an emergency shelter?
Did you know there are so many ways you can help the fatherless? You don't have to adopt a child or become a foster parent, but you can help! You could become a respite foster home, offering to care for foster children for a day or a weekend, if their foster family needs a break. You could volunteer, give donations of childrens items, or help raise funds. You could become a court-appointed advocate for children in foster care.
If you are in Arkansas, please take a moment to find out about The C.A.L.L. They are an amazing organization that helps foster families - and the whole foster care system - and provides a great network of support. Many other states have similar organizations, and I encourage you to seek them out.
And right now, today, this week, you can PRAY for these children and for those who work so hard to care for them. Will you join me for an online prayer vigil? Will you commit to pray with me every day this week?
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5 comments:
Wow! I love your blog! Your Not Me! was great! I really admire your concern for foster children. Living in a shelter would be terrible! I read your infertility and loss posts, too. Thank you for those! Ya' know, I had those fearful thoughts when BFG was a baby, too. Sometimes, like when I'm sending her off to her grandparents, I'll still think What if this is the last time I see her? I know it's wrong and in a spirit of fear, but it's been hard for me to overcome.
Thanks for visiting my blog!
I will most definitely say these prayers with you, Vera.
I wish I were at a place in my life where I could take in foster children. But, living in a big city, tiny apartment, and being a single gal don't really lend themselves to caring for a child.....ohhh, but how I wish I could!!!
Maybe someday soon, I can take on such an important and courageous task....best wishes to you!!!
Praying with you, sweet Vera...amazing! Thank you for this!
Yes they do. As a foster parent, I know first hand what many of the foster kids have been through here in my county. I appreciate this post. Our fosters really need prayers.
Hey Vera!
It's been quite a while since I've stopped by. Thanks for your comment on my post! :) I'm sooooo excited about orchestra! Anticipating a bit of stress since I've never done it before, but I'm sure it'll be worth it. ^_^
Ok, so I was just scrolling down your list of posts, and I saw that pound cake.....*drool*. GIMMEE!!!! haha. Sorry, it just hit me in this strangely obnoxious wave. :P I'm not obnoxious most of the time, I promise! heehee. :D
Anyways, I just wanted to say hey. Hope you're having a great week!
--Abigail
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