[Please join me in praying for children, families, and our future on Thursdays this year.]
“According to local Israeli outlet i24News, Israel Defense Forces (IDF) soldiers moved into Kfar Aza, one of the communities Hamas terrorists invaded early Saturday morning, and discovered about 40 dead babies, some decapitated — highlighting the brutality of the invading forces.
“The IDF were removing the bodies of victims found in the area when they found the children’s remains. Israeli soldiers are attempting to use bones to identify the victims, according to the report.
“It’s not a war, it’s not a battlefield. You see the babies, the mother, the father, in their bedrooms, in their protection rooms, and how the terrorists killed them,” IDF Maj. Gen. Itai Veruv said, describing the scene, i24News reported.” **
“Jesus loves the little children
All the children of the world
Red and yellow, black and white
They are precious in His sight
Jesus loves the little children of the world” – Clarence Herbert Woolston
“May he defend the afflicted among the people and save the children of the needy; may he crush the oppressor.” (Psalm 72:4 NIV)
“Blessed are those who fear the Lord,
who find great delight in his commands.
Their children will be mighty in the land;
the generation of the upright will be blessed.” (Psalm 112:1-2 NIV)
“May the Lord cause you to flourish,
both you and your children.
May you be blessed by the Lord,
the Maker of heaven and earth.” (Psalm 115:14-15 NIV)
“Jesus called the children to him and said, “Let the little children come to me, and do not hinder them, for the kingdom of God belongs to such as these.” (Luke 18:16 NIV)
“In the same way the Spirit [comes to us and] helps us in our weakness. We do not know what prayer to offer or how to offer it as we should, but the Spirit Himself [knows our need and at the right time] intercedes on our behalf with sighs and groanings too deep for words.” (Romans 8:26 AMP)
Father God,
Thank you for the gifts of “normal life.” We who live in currently more peaceful areas of the world do not take for granted warm homes, plentiful food, adequate shelter, functioning physical and societal infrastructure, and the communities in which we live. Thank you for each day we have with our children. Today we come to you to intercede for the children of the world, especially those whose lives have been upended in Israel and the Gaza Strip. We ask for healing, for protection, for restoration, and for revival in their families and in these young hearts, minds, and spirits. We do not always have words to pray, but we trust your Spirit will help us pray, whether in sighs too deep for words, or in language. Lord, in your mercy, hear our prayers.
-for children who have parents away fighting in the war, Lord in your mercy, hear our prayer.
-for children who have had parents, siblings or other relatives and friends killed or wounded in the fighting, Lord in your mercy, hear our prayer.
-for children who are missing from their parents, Lord in your mercy, hear our prayer.
-for children whose entire worlds have been turned upside down, Lord in your mercy, hear our prayer.
-for children who are experiencing horrific trauma in their young lives, Lord in your mercy, hear our prayer.
– for children who are being taught that Christians or Americans or Jews or Israelites or Muslims or Palestinians are evil and should be eliminated, Lord in your mercy, hear our prayer.
-for children who are victims of godless propaganda, lies, and unjust education, Lord in your mercy, hear our prayer.
-for children who do not have clean drinking water, adequate food, stable shelter, reliable education and medical care, or love, Lord in your mercy, hear our prayer.
We pray you will defend the afflicted and save the children. Heal the broken. Comfort those who grieve. Restore families. Crush the oppressors. Bless those who fear you, delight in your Word, and seek your sweet blessings. May nothing hinder them from coming to you and knowing you as Lord and Savior. May these children be mighty warriors for your Kingdom, not for any man-made ideal. May their generation be blessed and flourish. We ask all this in the powerful name of Jesus Christ, the Lion of Judah and the Prince of Peace. AMEN.
**https://www.foxnews.com/world/40-babies-some-beheaded-found-israel-soldiers-hamas-attacked-village?dicbo=v2-qYCDRdo