Our Scripture today is I John 3:1, How great is the love the Father has lavished on us that we should become the children of God.” This is the memory verse for the Prayer Covenant lesson on Grace.
I recently had the privilege of traveling to the Middle East on a couple of occasions. It was wonderful meeting the Iranian refugee children being ministered to by our partners. Many have come from very challenging environments and desperate for hope and love.
Through the distribution of the Prayer Covenant booklets and cards, God’s word began to come alive to the children. The teacher at one of the Centers shared: “The lesson about grace, had a great influence on the children’s lives. Especially the subject of the Good Shepherd. They have discovered the plan of God for their lives was indeed bringing them to this Center. They compare themselves to the sheep that are being taken care of by the good shepherd. Now they are living by the grace they are learning. Omar discovered the love of God for himself. He now knows there is a Shepherd who never stopped searching for him. He told his teacher, “Through your loving care, we have discovered the loving Jesus.”
Another child named Aseem shared, “My name is Aseem and I am 12 years old. This book, The Prayer Covenant for Children taught me many things. From the Love lesson I learned how to love my friends and obey my teacher. In the beginning, me and my friends were always fighting but after reading the lesson on Love, we started loving each other and learned we should love everybody, even if he or she has a different skin color. We learned we should obey God, just like Abraham did. We learned a memory verse that said, “Love the Lord your God with all your heart, and with all your soul and with all your mind. This is the great and first commandment.” After I read this booklet, it affected my life in a great way.”
Prayer
Dear Heavenly Father, thank you that because of your son Jesus, you have made us your dearly loved children. Thank you for Omar and Aseem and all of the children throughout the world who you are drawing into a personal relationship. We thank you for your love and compassion for each one, and we pray that your Word will continue to go forth throughout the Middle East. May the gospel message of grace and love be firmly planted in their hearts and grow strong by the power of your Holy Spirit. We pray your blessing and protection upon them. In Jesus name, Amen.
