REFLECTIONS ON CHILD WELL-BEING

Transcription

1 REFLECTIONS ON CHILD WELL-BEING A Self-Guided Prayer Walk for Your Community Transforming the lives of children in need in the U.S.

2 A Self-Guided Prayer Walk for Your Community Reflections on Child Well-Being Acknowledgments Produced by World Vision. Copyright 2016 by World Vision, Inc., P.O. Box 9716, Federal Way, WA All rights reserved. Author: Stevie Olver Photography: World Vision photos All Scripture quotations, unless otherwise indicated, are taken from the HOLY BIBLE, NEW INTERNATIONAL VERSION. NIV. Copyright 1973, 1978, 1984, 2011 by Biblica, Inc. TM Used by permission of Biblica, Inc. TM All rights reserved worldwide.

3 A Good City to Grow Up In Old men and old women will come back to Jerusalem, sit on benches on the streets and spin tales, move around safely with their canes a good city to grow old in. And boys and girls will fill the public parks, laughing and playing a good city to grow up in. Zechariah 8:5 (MSG) Zechariah chapter 8 offers us a powerful vision of what a healthy Jerusalem might look like. It s a vision that I m sure we d all love for our communities. My favorite version is the Message translation. We learn in verse 4 that this powerful promise comes from the Lord of Armies or God-of-the-Angel-Armies. It is a rendering of the Hebrew phrase Jehovah Sabaoth, which is one of the most common compound names for God in the Bible. It is a phrase translated as Lord of Hosts in the KJV and Lord Almighty in the NIV. Why is this important? It is important to me because it feels like a personal vision statement from God. In verses 1-2 we hear God-of-the-Angel-Armies declare, I am zealous for Zion I care! I m angry about Zion I m involved! God cares about Zion and the city, Jerusalem, in which it is located. Zion moves from its original meaning as a fortress hill in Jerusalem onward to signify the high calling of God for His people in the Old Testament. Throughout the Old Testament Zion was the place where authority (the throne of the king) and God s worship and glory (the ark of God) were revealed. By the end of the New Testament it reveals the center of heaven s purposes and placement. This authority and glory from Zion was prophesied to be spread throughout the world through the Church, God s people and the institution. Jesus says that we are the temple. It would make sense that when worship happens the city is healed. This healing is evidenced by the well-being of the community. This prayer guide focuses on those city streets where boys and girls play, and our bold conviction that this declaration is for now and that we all play a role in bringing it to pass through our actions and even more through our worship. Jerusalem is not just a patch of hilly earth or a dot on a map. It is that special place within each and every one of us where we are one with God and deeply in tune with His presence. This connection creates and recreates our surroundings to be places of shalom. Jerusalem is within us and around us! World Vision s U.S. Programs is uniquely focused on the well-being of boys and girls. We take this proclamation and promise to heart. We hope this resource helps us live out our compassion and hopes through prayer for the well-being of boys and girls in our neighborhoods, cities, country, and the world beyond. Romanita Hairston Vice President, U.S. Programs World Vision

4 INSTRUCTIONS As you work through this booklet you will discover how World Vision defines child well-being through four aspirations: 1. Educated for Life 2. Enjoying Good Health 3. Experiencing the Love of God and Neighbor 4. Cared for, Protected, and Participating Each section of this booklet is devoted to diving deeper into one of the aspirations in a way that is contextualized for your community. You will be asked to: do some research reflect on challenging questions pray consider different ideas for taking action Each section ends with references to additional resources provided by World Vision, and an opportunity to create a visual reminder of your experience using colorful beads that represent the different aspirations. Take a Walk... Really This is a prayer walk, and if possible, we encourage you to take that literally. You will find this experience to be much more meaningful if you can, for example, pray and reflect about education at an actual school. If you are unable to do this, you can participate in other ways; a drive, for example, or even visualizing your community in your mind. Regardless of the method you choose, consider the following: What do you see? What buildings, structures, billboards, and signs are there? How is space used? What is available for children and youth? What other things do you notice? What do you hear? How do people communicate with one another? What do you feel? Are you happy, sad, fearful, excited, or angry? What other emotions do you experience? Individual vs. Group You can choose to do this activity either on your own or with a small group. Either way, you ll want to explore the research questions for each aspiration before embarking on the rest of the walk. Some of the research questions will be easy to answer through a simple online search. Others are more reflective in nature, and can be answered by asking questions, and through conversation, with children and youth. Keep in mind that this is not meant to be an exhaustive research process, but rather a way for you to become familiar with the issues so that your prayer and action can have greater impact. One final note for those who are working through the booklet in a group: Think ahead about how you want to create a safe and honoring way for people to share their personal responses to the reflection questions. You may even consider using a facilitation process like Mutual Invitation from the Kaleidoscope Institute. Visit their webpage at for details.

5 A PICTURE OF WELL-BEING Zechariah 8:1-5 The word of the Lord Almighty came to me. This is what the Lord Almighty says: I am very jealous for Zion; I am burning with jealousy for her. This is what the Lord says: I will return to Zion and dwell in Jerusalem. Then Jerusalem will be called the Faithful City, and the mountain of the Lord Almighty will be called the Holy Mountain. This is what the Lord Almighty says: Once again men and women of ripe old age will sit in the streets of Jerusalem, each of them with cane in hand because of their age. The city streets will be filled with boys and girls playing there. How can we help bring this picture to life for the children and youth in our communities today?

6 Child Well-Being Aspiration 1: EDUCATED FOR LIFE... Children and youth are: able to read, write, and use numeracy skills at grade level making good judgments, managing emotions, and communicating ideas clearly ready for economic opportunity accessing and completing basic education RESEARCH How many children and youth in your community are: Reading at grade level? Mathematically proficient? Graduating from high school? Pursuing college? REFLECT What Scripture passages come to mind when you think about God s desire for children and youth to be educated for life? Your word is a lamp for my feet, a light on my path. Psalm 119:105 What does a child being educated for life mean to you personally? What unique education challenges do children and youth in your community face? How are the education challenges that your children and youth face similar to challenges faced by children and youth in other parts of the country and even other parts of the world? Which children and youth in your community are educated for life? What would need to happen for this to be a reality for all children and youth in your community?

7 PRAY Take a moment to pray that the children and youth in your community would be educated for life. Here are some suggestions: Help me/us to not be discouraged by the complexity of educational issues. Use me/us to make an impact in the lives of children and youth who are struggling academically, socially, and/or behaviorally. Impart wisdom and creativity to our teachers, mentors, tutors, and parents. Bless us with a vibrant, healthy, productive, and fair education system for all children and youth that helps equip them for life. Help me/us be a good role model to children and youth in the areas of managing emotions, making good judgments, and communicating ideas. Heavenly Father, mobilize Your church to actively respond to the academic challenges facing our community. TAKE ACTION What is something you, or your congregation, can do to improve education outcomes for children and youth in your community? Here are a few ideas to consider: Start children off on the way they should go, and even when they are old they will not turn from it. Proverbs 22:6 Become a tutor or mentor Commit to reading books aloud to children and youth on a regular basis Adopt a local school Offer support to parents and caregivers of school-aged children and youth Start an afterschool program Commit to praying for local teachers, parents, children, and youth on a regular basis Contact your local legislature and advocate for policies that support education initiatives in your community... Educated for Life

8 SUPPORT FROM WORLD VISION World Vision offers resources focused on improving education outcomes for children and youth in your community and communities around the world. Here are a couple of resources that may interest you: 1 Begin to learn the basics of becoming a reading tutor through our Reading Fundamentals e-learning workshop, available free online at 2 Learn how to start an after school academic mentoring program through the Empowered for Success Manual, available free online at THE YELLOW BEAD The yellow bead is meant to represent light: the light of education to illuminate our paths. Let the yellow bead be a reminder to you to pray for and get involved in helping the children and youth of your community to be educated for life. My son, if you accept my words and store up my commands within you, turning your ear to wisdom and applying your heart to understanding indeed, if you call out for insight and cry aloud for understanding, and if you look for it as for silver and search for it as for hidden treasure, then you will understand the fear of the Lord and find the knowledge of God. For the Lord gives wisdom; from his mouth come knowledge and understanding. He holds success in store for the upright, he is a shield to those whose walk is blameless, for he guards the course of the just and protects the way of his faithful ones. Proverbs 2:1-8

9 Child Well-Being Aspiration 2: ENJOYING GOOD HEALTH Children and youth are: well nourished protected from infection, disease, and injury able to access essential health services... RESEARCH How many children and youth in your community: Are struggling with hunger? Have access to nutritious, healthy food like fresh fruits and vegetables? Don t have access to the full range of health services they need: medical, dental, and mental? Have access to clean water? Have health conditions brought on by a toxic environment, like asthma from air pollution? REFLECT What Scripture passages come to mind when you think about God s desire for children and youth to enjoy good health? What does a child enjoying good health mean to you personally? So they set out and went from village to village, proclaiming the good news and healing people everywhere. Luke 9:6 What unique health challenges do children and youth in your community face? How are the health challenges that your children and youth face similar to challenges faced by children and youth in other parts of the country and even other parts of the world? Which children and youth in your community are enjoying good health? What would need to happen for this to be a reality for all children and youth in your community?

10 PRAY Take a moment to pray that the children and youth in your community would enjoy good health. Here are some suggestions: Lord, please bless our food banks with more than enough provisions for the hungry, including fresh produce. Please provide access to clean and safe water for our community. We ask for quality and affordable medical, dental, and mental healthcare for our community. Please protect our children and youth from sickness or injury. Help me/us be a good role model to children and youth on managing emotions, making good judgments, and communicating ideas. Heavenly Father, mobilize Your church to be a support for those facing health challenges in our community. TAKE ACTION What is something you, or your congregation, can do to improve the health of children and youth in your community? Here are a few ideas to consider: Support a local food bank Research the possibility of a starting a community garden Offer free transportation to parents or caregivers who need to get their children to doctor appointments (follow car seat and booster seat laws, and make sure drivers have insurance and a current drivers license) Collect and distribute health-related products to low-income families: diapers, sanitary items, dental care items, vitamins and supplements, bandages, clean water, and so on Sponsor free clinics (led by certified professionals) for parents and caregivers on natural or homeopathic remedies to common ailments Research the possibility of hosting a free dental health clinic Offer free family dinners and/or free meals to children and youth when school is not in session Help families understand and navigate access to free healthcare for their children Donate to World Vision and help feed a family in the U.S. Explore the availability of World Vision Warehouse Membership in your community Enjoying Good Health

11 SUPPORT FROM WORLD VISION World Vision offers resources focused on improving health outcomes for children and youth in your community and communities around the world. Here s a resource that may interest you: Begin to learn the basics of disaster preparedness and response through our Disaster Readiness e-learning workshop, available free online at THE GREEN BEAD The green bead is meant to represent vitality: the vitality of a healthy life. Let the green bead be a reminder to you to pray for and get involved in helping the children and youth of your community enjoy good health. A cheerful heart is good medicine, but a crushed spirit dries up the bones. Proverbs 17:22

12 Child Well-Being Aspiration 3: EXPERIENCING THE LOVE OF GOD AND NEIGHBOR Children and youth:... become aware of and experience God s love enjoy positive relationships with peers, family, and community members value and care for others and their environment have hope and vision for the future RESEARCH How many children and youth in your community: Say they feel a sense of connection or belonging to their community? Say they have hope for their future? Demonstrate empathy and concern for their peers? Can name at least three adult family or community members with whom they have a good relation ship? Initiate or get involved with community clean-up and revitalization projects? REFLECT What Scripture passages come to mind when you think about God s desire for children and youth to experience His love, and the love of their neighbors? What does a child experiencing the love of God and their neighbor mean to you personally? What unique relational challenges do children and youth in your community face? When Jesus saw this, he was indignant. He said to them, Let the little children come to me, and do not hinder them, for the kingdom of God belongs to such as these. Mark 10:14 How are the relationship challenges that your children and youth face similar to challenges faced by children and youth in other parts of the country and even other parts of the world? Which children and youth in your community are experiencing positive relationships? What would need to happen for this to be a reality for all children and youth in your community?

13 PRAY Take a moment to pray that the children and youth in your community would experience the love of God and their neighbors. Here are some suggestions: Father, I/we desire to be salt and light to children and youth in our community, reflecting Your undying love for them. Please send Your Holy Spirit to soften the hearts, minds, and souls of every child and youth so that they would be receptive to You. I/we pray that every child and youth would have at least one positive adult role model in their lives. Father, please protect the innocence of our children and youth from negative influences. Please help children and youth to not be discouraged by their situations, but to have hope for a bright future. Help our children and youth to take pride in and ownership of their community. Help our community to be welcoming toward children and youth, and consider all children to be equally important and deserving of love. Heavenly Father, mobilize Your church to be Your hands and feet. TAKE ACTION What is something you, or your congregation, can do to create and improve ways for children and youth in your community to experience the love of God and their neighbors? He called a little child to him, and placed the child among them. Matthew 18:2-6 Here are a few ideas to consider: Become a mentor Learn the names of all the children and youth on your street, and be intentional about saying hi to them Host backyard fun nights for the children and youth in your neighborhood; show a family-friendly movie, offer snacks, play games, etc. Ask children and youth how they re doing using open-ended questions Organize a field trip for children and youth to explore special features of your community, including nearby natural features like mountains, lakes, and national parks Practice actively listening to children and youth without interrupting them Learn about what children and youth are interested in and find ways to support their interests Experiencing the Love of God and Neighbor

14 SUPPORT FROM WORLD VISION World Vision offers resources focused on improving relational outcomes for children and youth in your community and communities around the world. Here s a resource that may interest you: Request a soft copy of this Prayer Walk booklet and use it to facilitate a small-group activity. Contact uspnetworks@worldvision.org THE RED BEAD The red bead is meant to represent the love felt in positive relationships. Let the red bead be a reminder to you to pray for and get involved in helping the children and youth of your community to experience the love of God and their neighbors. At that time the disciples came to Jesus and asked, Who, then, is the greatest in the kingdom of heaven? He called a little child to him, and placed the child among them. And he said: Truly I tell you, unless you change and become like little children, you will never enter the kingdom of heaven. Therefore, whoever takes the lowly position of this child is the greatest in the kingdom of heaven. And whoever welcomes one such child in my name welcomes me. If anyone causes one of these little ones those who believe in me to stumble, it would be better for them to have a large millstone hung around their neck and to be drowned in the depths of the sea. Matthew 18:1-6

15 Child Well-Being Aspiration 4: CARED FOR, PROTECTED, AND PARTICIPATING Children and youth are:... cared for and celebrated in a loving, safe family, and a community environment with safe places to play provided well for by parents and caregivers respected participants in decisions that affect their lives: o included in community planning and programming o heard and respected by local government agencies o trained and engaged in civic responsibility and advocacy RESEARCH How many children and youth in your community: Are homeless? Are living in foster care? Are victims of youth violence or bullying? Are victims of child abuse or neglect? Have safe places to play and hang out? Feel like their voice matters? Feel like they are members of the community? REFLECT What Scripture passages come to mind when you think about God s desire for children to be cared for, protected, and participating? Children are a heritage from the Lord, offspring a reward from him. Psalm 127:3 What does a child being cared for, protected, and participating mean to you personally? What unique safety and inclusion challenges do children and youth in your community face? How are the safety and inclusion challenges that your children and youth face similar to challenges faced by children and youth in other parts of the country and even other parts of the world? Which children and youth in your community are experiencing safety and inclusion? What would need to happen for this to be a reality for all children and youth in your community?

16 PRAY Take a moment to pray that the children and youth in your community would be cared for, protected, and participating. Here are some suggestions: Give us courage and wisdom, Lord, to speak out and take action against violence, bullying, abuse, and neglect of children in our community. Please bless parents and caregivers with an abundance of patience and love for their children. Help us provide safe places for our children and youth to play and hang out. Help our youth to discover a passion for their community and become advocates for bringing about positive community transformation. Help our community to recognize, embrace, and value the voice of young people. Father, please shelter and protect our children and youth from harm. Mobilize Your church to protect, care for, and meaningfully include children and youth. TAKE ACTION What is something you, or your congregation, can do to improve the ways children and youth in your community are cared for, protected, and participating? Here are a few ideas to consider: Learn more about child abuse and neglect, including appropriate ways to respond and work to prevent them Make sure your organization has a strong child protection policies and procedures in place, and that staff, volunteers, and even children and youth themselves are thoroughly trained on them Make child safety an intentional and public part of your organization s mission Learn more about bullying and youth violence, including ways to talk with children and youth about them Adopt a community playground; help keep it clean, raise funds for playground toys and equipment, and help organize playground safety supervision efforts Invite young people to serve on leadership boards, and make sure their voice is heard and considered in equal measure Support a local shelter Offer support and free counseling to parents and caregivers Organize a field trip for children and youth to visit the state capital and meet their elected representatives Organize trips for children and youth to attend city council meetings Cared for, Protected, and Participating

17 SUPPORT FROM WORLD VISION World Vision offers resources focused on improving safety and inclusion outcomes for children and youth in your community and communities around the world. Here are a couple of resources that may interest you: 1 Learn how to strengthen the effectiveness of your organization s child protection policies and procedures through our Keeping Children Safe e-learning workshop, available free online at 2 Explore our three-part e-learning series focused on youth empowerment and advocacy: Youth- Adult Partnerships, Community Youth Development, and Creative Activism. All three are available free online at Subscribe to the Youth Empowerment Network and access World Vision s online community youth development and youth empowerment curricula: Empowered for Change: A Youth Advocacy Toolkit Empowered for Transformation: A Youth-Adult Partnerships Toolkit To learn more about subscribing, please contact uspnetworks@worldvision.org. THE BLUE BEAD The blue bead is meant to represent the peace and tranquility that comes from feeling safe and included. Let the blue bead be a reminder to you to pray for and get involved with helping the children and youth of your community to be cared for, protected, and participating. Another of his disciples, Andrew, Simon Peter s brother, spoke up, Here is a boy with five small barley loaves and two small fish, but how far will they go among so many? Jesus said, Have the people sit down. There was plenty of grass in that place, and they sat down (about five thousand men were there). Jesus then took the loaves, gave thanks, and distributed to those who were seated as much as they wanted. He did the same with the fish. When they had all had enough to eat, he said to his disciples, Gather the pieces that are left over. Let nothing be wasted. So they gathered them and filled twelve baskets with the pieces of the five barley loaves left over by those who had eaten. John 6:8-13

18 34834 Weyerhaeuser Way S. P.O. Box 9716 Federal Way, WA worldvision.org/usprograms World Vision is a Christian humanitarian organization dedicated to working with children, families, and their communities worldwide to reach their full potential by tackling the causes of poverty and injustice. Motivated by our faith in Jesus Christ, World Vision serves alongside the poor and oppressed as a demonstration of God s unconditional love for all people. World Vision serves all people, regardless of religion, race, ethnicity, or gender World Vision, Inc.