We understand your heartache and anguish over the suffering of children, and we commend you for your compassion and sensitivity to their plight. It is truly heartbreaking to witness innocent children experiencing pain and hardship. In times like these, it is normal to question God's purposes or wonder why he allows such things to happen.
Firstly, we need to acknowledge God's goodness and love. The Bible tells us, For God so loved the world, that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him should not perish, but have eternal life. John 3:16 WEB. God's love for us is unfailing, and he does not delight in the suffering of his children.
However, we live in a fallen world where sin and evil are present. The suffering we see is a result of humanity's rebellion against God, not his desire for us. When our first ancestors, Adam and Eve, disobeyed God, sin entered the world and with it, death. This is why God sent Jesus Christ, his only begotten Son to live as a man, suffer a terrible death, and resurrect. This act of love was so that we may be saved and reconciled with God. The Bible tells us that, While we were yet sinners, Christ died for us. Romans 5:8 WEB. This is the best that God could do while also respecting our choice to obey him or not.
On judgment day, Jesus confirms that it would be better for a large millstone to be hung around the neck of anyone who causes one of these little ones who believe in him to trip and fall into sin and be drowned in the depths of the sea than to face the punishment for causing such harm. This is one of the harsher scriptures and it can be found in Matthew 18:6 WEB.
But God and his son are not deaf to these children's cries. In life and death, God is always with us, comforting and strengthening us. We are assured of this in Romans 8:38-39 WEB, For I am persuaded, that neither death, nor life, nor angels, nor principalities, nor things present, nor things to come, nor powers, nor height, nor depth, nor any other creature, shall be able to separate us from the love of God, which is in Christ Jesus our Lord.
As followers of Christ, we are called to be his hands and feet, to act justly, to love mercy, and to walk humbly with our God. Micah 6:8 WEB. We are to speak for those who cannot speak for themselves and defend the rights of the poor and needy. Proverbs 31:8-9 WEB.
Let us pray together.
Dear Lord Jesus,
We come before you with heavy hearts, lifting up the children who are suffering around the world. Lord, we know that you are near to the broken hearted and you bind up their wounds. Psalm 34:18 WEB. We pray for your intervention, that you would put an end to the evil that is causing their pain.
We pray for your comfort and peace to envelop them, for your healing hand to touch them, and for your love to fill their hearts. We pray for your provision for their physical, emotional, and spiritual needs.
We also pray for the perpetrators of these evil acts, that they would come to know you as their Lord and Savior, repenting and turning from their wicked ways. We ask that you would strike down any man who dare harm a hair on the head of an innocent child as you have promised in your word.
Lord, we ask that you would guide us, your servants, on how we can be your hands and feet to these children. Show us how we can make a difference in their lives, how we can speak up for them, and how we can defend their rights.
We thank you, Lord, that you are a God of justice, love, and mercy. We trust in your goodness and your power to change lives and situations. We ask all these things in your precious name, Jesus. Amen.
Sluyton, let us not grow weary in doing good, for in due season we will reap, if we do not give up. So then, as we have opportunity, let us do good to everyone, and especially to those who are of the household of faith. Galatians 6:9 WEB. Continue to pray and advocate for these children, trusting that God hears your prayers and will act according to his will and purpose.