Following UNICEF's indictment of childhood wellbeing in the UK, Christian NGO Viva is challenging followers across the country to respond, by participating in a global prayer event that could significantly impact the lives of these children.
Viva works to connect and unite Christians worldwide working with children at risk.
A Viva press release indicates that many commentators have been quick to criticise UNICEF's report, which investigated a number of indicators of child wellbeing in industrialised countries, including poverty, health and family relationships.
Viva has taken a different stance. Rather than bemoaning the state of the UK's care for children, Viva is challenging Christians across the country to take action in response. Recognising that the risks to children are now closer to home than ever, Christians are being urged to unite in prayer.
Starting now, Christians across the UK are preparing to join in the World Weekend of Prayer for Children at Risk on 2-3 June 2007, when they will pray into many of the issues raised in the UNICEF report.
Facilitated by Viva, in partnership with the Global Day of Prayer and other prayer movements, over two million Christians around the world will pray for children at risk over the weekend. Many in the UK are organising special events and Sunday church services.
"We firmly believe that prayer precedes power," said Patrick McDonald, Founder and CEO of Viva. "The World Weekend of Prayer is a unique time when millions of Christians will stand together on behalf of suffering children around the world and pray for God's healing, mercy and grace. Why not get your church involved?"
Viva's experience proves that prayer changes the situations facing children at risk. In recent years, the World Weekend of Prayer has resulted in children being "miraculously healed and released from captivity, projects receiving provision, and governments introducing child-focused legislation", explains Viva.
The Christian NGO concluded: "The UNICEF report made it clear that we are failing our children, but it does not have to stay that way."
