For These Children: A Reminder

While unpacking boxes of books after our most recent move, I came across a little book I’d never noticed before. I don’t know where it came from, but my husband and I both love books and somehow this one wandered into our collection. It caught my attention because it tells about ministry to troubled teens living on the streets; it was written by a nun, Sister Mary Rose O’Geady. I decided to see what she had to say.

Are You Out There, God? is a collection of letters written by Sister O’Geady to people who support the Covenant House ministry through prayer. Each letter tells the story of a different child living on the street either by choice (the runaway) or through abandonment. The stories are heartbreaking—sometimes horrific; some end triumphantly, some hopefully, some not yet, but maybe someday.

As I read through the first three or four stories, I noticed something strange within myself. My mind recognized that the stories were atrocious, but my heart didn’t seem to feel anything at all—it was actually taking in the information rather matter-of-factly. My mind didn’t think this was right. It told my heart to make me break down and cry. My heart stubbornly ignored it, remaining stoic. I asked God about this:

“Lord, these children’s lives are nightmares I can’t even begin to imagine. Millions of children are living on the streets right now experiencing things no one should. I don’t ever want to be callous to such a thing. Help me respond as You want me to.”

The phrase, “For this child I prayed,” (from 1 Samuel 1:27KJV) came to mind.

I love that phrase! It’s actually part of Hannah’s explanation to Priest Eli as she left her son, Samuel, to serve at the Temple. (See 1 Samuel 1.) Hannah had been barren. Year after year, she had prayed for a child. When she finally conceived and bore Samuel, she gave him back to God for life!

Hannah’s story is one of hope for childless couples, and her statement, “For this child I prayed,” is usually associated with thanksgiving for a long-awaited child. Christian bookstores carry beautiful pictures of mothers holding new babies. Hannah’s phrase is often the caption for these. I love that!

But I wasn’t thinking about eagerly anticipated new babies. I was thinking about lost teenagers. I believe God was showing me the statement can apply to these, too. Covenant House workers invite all the children they can in from off the street—and for each of these, they pray.

So I’ll pray, too!
For the prodigal—
For the forsaken—
For the hungry—
For the hurting—
For the homeless—
For these children, I’ll pray.

And as God leads, I’ll do more as I can.

My heart and mind are getting along now. I don’t think they ever weren’t. My heart just didn’t want to accept that what my eyes were reading was true. Children shouldn’t suffer like that—not anywhere, not ever, not even if they brought their troubles on themselves. God created them, He loves them, and He’s waiting to welcome them home—into His arms, into the homes of people who will care for them the way He originally planned. That is my prayer: that they’ll find their way there, that those who can will help, including me.

“I prayed for this child, and the LORD has granted me what I asked of him.” –1 Samuel 1:27

God answered Hannah’s prayer—so for these children, I’ll pray: May their lives come to honor God as Samuel’s did. Amen.

Lord,
Please provide food for those who don't have any

• and shelter
• and safety.

You've already provided salvation--their most crucial need.
Please draw them to find it.
Thank You, Lord.
Amen

Are You Out There, God? was written in 1996, but the Covenant House ministry is still going strong in several major cities around the world. For more information, click here.


Originally published September 25, 2008.