via bluesunday.org
RIO GRANDE VALLEY, Texas, March 18, 2013 /Christian Newswire/ -- April is Child Abuse Prevention Month. The last Sunday of April is called Blue Sunday. This is the day when churches take time in their service to pray for the victims of child abuse and for those who rescue them.
According to the latest Child Maltreatment Report by the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services 1570 children died from child abuse and over 3 million others were also confirmed victims of child abuse in 2011. One is too many.
In the process of rescuing her grandchildren, founder, Janet Magee, was drafted into the battle against child abuse. Faced with such overwhelming numbers of children reported as abused she recognized that the epidemic of child abuse needed the faith community's participation in order to heal.
What began with 20 churches praying has grown into a national effort with over 2.5 million people committed to pray annually. Our prayers matter. New ministries can be birthed, awareness raised, and healing will come when we pray.
Many state agencies across the country have embraced and promoted the day of prayer, a clear sign that the line between church and state doesn't apply when it comes to child abuse prevention. State agencies need what the church has to offer: people, resources and our prayers.
On Blue Sunday we are asking churches to take time during their service on to pray. It's free. Visit www.bluesunday.org for free resources and to register your church or ministry to pray.
It is imperative for the faith community to become leaders in child abuse prevention and relief efforts.
Churches are encouraged to pray for 3 things:
- The children who are victims of child abuse
- Those who rescue and serve abused children
- Direction to become active participants in the fight to end child abuse
We pray because abused children shouldn't have to pray alone
