Weekly Prayer Update
Friday, April 10, 2026
Measles Outbreak in Bangladesh
Bangladesh is experiencing its most severe measles outbreak in roughly a decade, with more than 6,400 children infected and approximately 100 suspected deaths recorded in just the last three weeks. The outbreak is especially concentrated in densely populated areas, including Cox’s Bazar, a camp that is home to 1.1 million Rohingya refugees from Myanmar. In hospitals, pediatric wards are increasingly strained as cases continue to rise.
The crisis is partly driven by gaps in routine immunization, following disruptions caused by the global pandemic and ongoing instability in the country. Without sustained vaccination efforts, the disease is expected to spread further, putting additional pressure on an already burdened health system. Government officials are rushing to carry out an emergency vaccination campaign prioritizing children in high-risk areas, including Cox’s Bazar, with plans for nationwide expansion.
Nazarene churches are present and active in Bangladesh, and more than 60 child development centers provide holistic care to children, teenagers, and their families.
Lord, we pray for the children of Bangladesh and ask for your protection during this disease outbreak. Connect the most vulnerable children to the vaccinations and medical care they need to stay healthy. Comfort families who are grieving and in pain. Give health care workers the stamina and strength to serve people in need. Lord, hear our prayers.
Praising God for a Student’s Testimony
Kara* is a sponsored student at a Nazarene child development center in the Philippines. The staff at her center recently shared this update:
“Kara’s journey is truly inspiring. This March, she graduated from 12th grade with high honors, a remarkable achievement that reflects her dedication, discipline, and perseverance in her studies. As she prepares to also graduate from the sponsorship program this April, Kara stands as a testimony of what God can do in the life of a faithful and committed young person.
Despite the demands of her academic life, Kara remained actively involved in the church. In fact, she has taken on significant responsibilities, serving as the board secretary and becoming the youngest member of the church board. Her willingness to serve at such a young age reflects her maturity, leadership, and heart for ministry.
Kara is also deeply involved in the creative ministries of the church. She faithfully serves as part of the tambourine dance ministry, contributes to the media team, and actively teaches in Sunday School. Her life beautifully demonstrates that excelling in academics is not a hindrance to serving Jesus, but rather an opportunity to honor him in every area of life.
Her story is a powerful encouragement to other young people. Kara shows that with faith, discipline, and a heart devoted to God, it is possible to grow in knowledge and service all at the same time. As she takes her next step, Kara will be enrolling at the Nazarene College, where she plans to pursue an education course. This new chapter reflects her desire to continue making an impact for God’s kingdom.”
*Children’s names are changed for protection.
God, we thank you for Kara’s life and testimony and the child development center that walked with her throughout her academic journey. We celebrate her graduation from school and the sponsorship program. We give you praise for Kara’s call to serve in her local church. Guide her steps as she moves into adulthood and onto college, and may she serve as a reminder in her community of the difference holistic child development programs can have. Lord, hear our prayers.
The Impact of Displacement on Children
Hundreds of thousands of children across Lebanon have experienced repeated displacement, first during the 2024 hostilities and now again with the current crisis. Of the more than 1 million people who are internally displaced, an estimated 350,000 are children. More than 45,000 of these children are living in group shelters—often repurposed schools—that provide immediate safety but are overcrowded, under-resourced, and often lack privacy.
The stress of repeated displacement, like any unstable situation, can take a toll on children’s emotional and mental well-being, their behavior, and future development. Nazarene ministries in Lebanon are reaching out to provide practical care to displaced families and their children through food relief, distribution of supplies, medical care, and emotional and spiritual support.
Our Lord, we lift up the children in Lebanon who cannot safely remain in their homes, especially those who have faced displacement more than once. You see the weight of fear, stress, and instability they carry. We ask for Your peace to cover Lebanon, the Middle East, and the Holy Land. Make a way for those who have fled to return home safely and soon. Lord, hear our prayers.