Five weeks!  Not long to go now until the egg-fest for those who eat chocolate.

Adults

Since the beginning of the AIDS epidemic, HIV has orphaned more than 14 million children in sub‑Saharan Africa.

Pray for children growing up without parents because of HIV/AIDS.

Children

Climate change is causing the weather around the world to change.  Some places are getting hotter, others are getting more rain and some places are getting very dry.  This is affecting people in poor countries more than us, as they often rely on the weather to grow enough food.  Climate change is caused by greenhouse gases, which we add to in lots of ways, including using electricity.  Switch off any lights in your house that have been left on by mistake.  Give 5p for every item in your bedroom that uses electricity.

Well I find that a tad confusing - adults and shildren being focused in totally different directions.  Is it too distressing for children to know about HIV/AIDS?  Especially when many will have watched children and babies near death last Friday as part of Comic Relief broadcasts?  Or is it just a focus deferred from last week.

A Baptist minister friend of mine, who began his ministry with BMS in Africa, left his role as a Regional Minister to become part of an organisation in Africa that support children called the SHINE Foundation this is not a charity focused on HIV/AIDS but arising from a commitment to safeguard children, especially those who are the most poor and disadvantaged. 

I can pray, in abstract terms for children affected by HIV/AIDS; I can pray with a little more understanding, for the work of SHINE, and I can pray for families I know/know of where one parent has died for any number of reasons.

Parent God,

I cannot imagine what it feels like to be a child whose parent has died,

I know what it is like to be a young adult, but not a child.

I cannot imagine how it feels to face the stigma of the cause of that death

I know what it feels like to have a life-threatening, potentially limiting condition that makes others cringe or use euphemisms, but not to be stigmatised because of it

I can imagine how it feels to live with the possibility that you will inherit a parent's condition

But not what it means for that to inform the opportunities I am permitted here and now

I do not know what or how to pray

But I commend to your perfect care all whose lives are affected by HIV/AIDS

And addiction

And mental health issues

And cancer

And life-limiting conditions

I trust that you are trustworthy, will hear and answer the prayers I cannot formulate

God who is more than mother and father to me

Amen

My pledge

Today - one prayer

Total - £30.05, seven prayers, some thoughts and one e-petition signed