Weekly Prayer Update
Friday, April 24, 2026
Continued Crisis in Haiti
Haiti is facing a deepening humanitarian crisis marked by escalating violence, widespread displacement, and the collapse of essential public services. Violence and threats of violence have forced families from their homes and left many in crowded, unsafe temporary shelters. Children are suffering due to the chaos, and many students are unable to attend school due to the risk of kidnapping, crossfire, and forced gang recruitment.
At the same time, access to basic necessities like healthcare, clean water, and food is rapidly diminishing. Most families cannot afford medical care, leading to preventable deaths, while unsafe water conditions heighten the risk of disease outbreaks such as cholera and typhoid. With nearly half the population living in extreme poverty, the services that still exist are often out of reach or too dangerous to access. Millions of people are suffering due to the ongoing crisis.
The Church of the Nazarene is active in Haiti, but many congregations have been forced to pause or adjust their ministry due to displacement and danger. Nazarene Compassionate Ministries is supporting emergency relief efforts across the nation.
God, we lift up Haiti, a nation in crisis, where violence and instability have displaced millions, leaving families in fear and communities in turmoil. We pray for stability and security. May scattered church members become messengers of hope and salvation, wherever they have found refuge. We pray for the most vulnerable: children, the elderly, the displaced, and those who live in constant fear. Be their refuge and strength. Provide food for the hungry, shelter for the homeless, and protection for those who are most at risk. Bring peace to Haiti. Lord, hear our prayers.
Displacement Impacts Children in Lebanon
Hundreds of thousands of children in Lebanon are facing the trauma of displacement after being uprooted during recent hostilities. Of the more than one million people displaced, an estimated 350,000 are children, with tens of thousands now living in shelters like repurposed schools. While these spaces offer temporary safety, they are often overcrowded, lack privacy, and are stretched beyond capacity, leaving families to cope in difficult, uncertain conditions.
Nazarenes in Beirut are reaching out to help displaced families who have fled to the city for safety. They are providing food, medical care, and emotional and spiritual support. At the same time, leaders at the Nazarene school in Lebanon are providing care for their students who are also experiencing stress from the conflict. The school staff shared this update:
“War erupted this month in Lebanon, bringing with it a tragic toll of deaths and injuries and spreading fear across communities. Families are facing deep uncertainty as violence disrupts daily life, forcing many to flee their homes, some now sleeping on the streets, exposed to harsh conditions, storms, and heavy rain.
Even students who continue to come to school are deeply affected; they are wary of unfamiliar people who might bring danger to their buildings, and many cannot sleep due to the sounds of airstrikes. Even thunder now sounds like bombs, making it hard for students to feel safe or focus on daily life.
We ask for your prayers for all students, teachers, and staff, that God would protect them, bring peace to their hearts, and provide safety in these challenging times.”
Lord, we pray for displaced people across Lebanon, especially children and other vulnerable people. Connect those in need with the resources they need to survive. Encourage children who attend the Nazarene school. May they find support and help through the ministry and their teachers. We pray for a real, lasting peace in Lebanon. Lord, hear our prayers.
Praising God for Holistic Child Development in Tanzania
A child development center in Tanzania plays a vital role in supporting 30 children and their families from the local community. The center provides educational support, spiritual formation, and practical care, creating a safe environment where children can grow academically, socially, and spiritually.
With the center staff's support, children who were previously out of school are now enrolled and attending consistently. The center supplements education by offering tutoring, especially during school breaks, and teaching basic English. In addition, children receive school supplies, uniforms, and nutritional support, thereby improving their health and hygiene.
The impact extends beyond the children themselves. Families and the broader community are influenced by what children learn at home. Local leaders have recognized the program’s effectiveness, even requesting support for additional vulnerable children in nearby government schools.
Spiritually, the center has become a place of transformation. Children are introduced to Jesus, and many families have come to church through their children’s influence.
Baraka*, an older student, shares how the center has shaped both his education. He explains, “I did not know that I could have gone to school; now I am ready to finish secondary school.” Through the program, he came to know Jesus and has been encouraged in his spiritual life, supported by both the center and his family.
Asha* highlights the holistic impact of the center on her life and family. She says, “I did not know about Jesus until I went to the development center.” Beyond spiritual growth, she has developed socially and academically, overcoming isolation and continuing her education with the help of school fee support. “I have come this far because of the center,” she says. “I am trusting God that one day I [will] become a nurse when I finish school.” Asha’s experience also influenced her family, who have since come to faith and joined the church.
Our God, we give you praise for the ministry of this development center and the profound impact it’s making. Your Spirit is moving in this community, and we celebrate the students who have found support, guidance, and faith in you. May even more families come to learn about your saving grace due to this ministry. Bless all who serve the students. Encourage them today. Lord, hear our prayers.
*Children’s names are changed for protection.