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Published: 00:01 GMT Daylight Time - Sunday 01 April 2012

Lent Prayer - Elderly

Project(s): 20-1024

Country/Region: Middle East and North Africa, South and East Asia, Iraq, Lebanon, Holy Land, India, Zimbabwe, Africa, Pakistan

“Even to your old age and grey hairs I am he, I am he who will sustain you.” (Isaiah 46:4)

Where Christians are under pressure, one group who can often go unnoticed are the elderly. When people are living in poverty and hardship they often age more quickly than those in more comfortable situations, especially if they cannot afford medical care. In contexts of persecution, struggling families may not be able to care for needy older relatives or to afford specialised medical care for them. The elderly may be unable to flee from attacks or natural disaster owing to their physical weakness.

elderly-4x3.jpg
In countries where Christians are living in poverty, the elderly often suffer even more as families are unable to care for their needy older relatives. This lady is a beneficiary of Barnabas Fund’s
feeding programme in Pakistan

The Bible holds elderly people in a position of high regard, even stating that “grey hair” is “attained in the way of righteousness” (Proverbs 16:31). The Israelites are instructed to respect and honour older members of their community (Leviticus 19:32) and Timothy is told not to speak harshly to an older man, but to encourage him as a father (1 Timothy 5:1).Christians are expected to care for others out of love for Christ, and we should embrace our responsibility for caring for the elderly, whether they are our own family or simply older Christians in more need than we are (1 Timothy 5).

Barnabas Fund assists Christian families in caring for their elderly relatives in contexts of poverty or persecution by providing direct support to the older members of the Christian community. In Lebanon, Barnabas recently helped to fund the costs of general site preparation, excavation and foundations for a care home that will accommodate 75 elderly Christians. We have also supported care homes for Christians in the Holy Land, India, Iraq, Lebanon and Zimbabwe.

Pray for the vulnerable older generation in countries where Christians are persecuted and mistreated or where they and their families live in situations of poverty. Pray that our Lord and Saviour will be close to elderly people who put their hope in Him and that He will bring them comfort and peace in their remaining years. Pray that they may be able to rejoice despite their trials as their faith is proved genuine and Christ is glorified in them (1 Peter 1:6-7). Pray for the wider Christian community as they seek to support elderly people in times of distress and persecution and learn from their wisdom and experience.

Barnabas Fund projects include:

This article is taken from

“Praying for the Persecuted Church in Lent 2012” -  Download.

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Lent Prayer - Elderly

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christian, persecution, charity, church, persecuted, sookhdeo, Islam

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