The most precious sound in the world... the prayers of a child. Their laughter. Their music. Their joy. I just close my eyes and I listen, absorbing their sweet melodies. I watch them play... running back and forth and trying to climb onto basketball goals. Ice cream smeared on their cheeks. Eyes bright.
Bible stories. Songs about Jesus. Puppets, prayers, memory verses and skits. God, they hear, but do they understand? The Word of God does not return void, and I know that, but God I am so afraid.
I know the places they call home. I watched their mothers and fathers, and I've seen their eyes, eyes that have no room for light anymore because pain and greed have overtaken them.
So many little secrets behind their eyes. There's the little girl who needs to be rescued... so quick to love and give hugs, but her light is softly fading, evils unspoken coming against her. There's the little boy I held as he slept through most of the afternoon, enjoying the chance to be under a fan, to rest in peace. There's the other little girl I am just drawn to for some reason with her pig tails and purple dot on her forehead that matches her outfit. Little ones with charms and amulets around their arms and necks to ward off evil spirits... not realizing the danger in trusting those charms.
How long God, before the abuse becomes too great, the joy is smothered, the little girl sold, and the boy is forced to use to become a man? You know the corners, and you know the darkness. The darkness cannot withstand You.
The patron goddess of Calcutta is named Kali... it's where the name of the city comes from, and it literally means "The dwelling place of Kali". There are temples dedicated to her throughout the city, and a grand festival is held every year.
She is a fearsome thing to behold. She is jet black with long hair, a necklace made of skulls and blood dripping from her mouth. In her hand is a severed head, and she sits on a decapitated body. Followers will often cut open their chests to offer their blood to her. For women, Kali means "shakti" or "power"... and isn't that what women have been wanting since the Fall... power? "You will become like God", the serpent whispered to Eve, and is still whispering to this day. She is the goddess of death and destruction... a symbol of darkness.
My prayer, and my dream for Calcutta, is that the name will change from no longer the dwelling place of Kali... death, destruction, pain... but will instead be known as the dwelling place of God. His city full of life, hope, and peace... light.
I believe that it will happen with these children... 150 children who live in hell and walk among darkness. They will carry the light... they will be the light. Jesus, I believe this and I declare this over your little ones... Little ones you love and have created with a specific purpose to change the world and bring glory to your name.
God, no matter what abuse, what stories, what words are spoken over them as they return to their homes, let your words hold fast in their hearts. Bind it to them Lord, that they will know the truth. May they never forget you are the One true God... not an idol made of stone or the lie of a prophet... but You, the Living, Resurrected, Holy and Perfect God, who gave up everything so they could have life. Oh Jesus, be their life. Protect them from the perverse desires of the enemy. Cover them with your angels, and may those who wish to do harm to them be genuinely afraid because you are guarding them with your power. I know this makes you angry... injustice done to the weak and vulnerable. God, may those who try to hurt them in any way see and feel your anger and your wrath. May we as your people never sit quietly or become content with empty prayers and idol hands. Fill us with your anger, your desires, your Spirit. When your little ones cry out, answer them. Teach them to pray. Send your angels around them. Be their superhero. Be their light.
Bible stories. Songs about Jesus. Puppets, prayers, memory verses and skits. God, they hear, but do they understand? The Word of God does not return void, and I know that, but God I am so afraid.
I know the places they call home. I watched their mothers and fathers, and I've seen their eyes, eyes that have no room for light anymore because pain and greed have overtaken them.
So many little secrets behind their eyes. There's the little girl who needs to be rescued... so quick to love and give hugs, but her light is softly fading, evils unspoken coming against her. There's the little boy I held as he slept through most of the afternoon, enjoying the chance to be under a fan, to rest in peace. There's the other little girl I am just drawn to for some reason with her pig tails and purple dot on her forehead that matches her outfit. Little ones with charms and amulets around their arms and necks to ward off evil spirits... not realizing the danger in trusting those charms.
How long God, before the abuse becomes too great, the joy is smothered, the little girl sold, and the boy is forced to use to become a man? You know the corners, and you know the darkness. The darkness cannot withstand You.
The patron goddess of Calcutta is named Kali... it's where the name of the city comes from, and it literally means "The dwelling place of Kali". There are temples dedicated to her throughout the city, and a grand festival is held every year.
She is a fearsome thing to behold. She is jet black with long hair, a necklace made of skulls and blood dripping from her mouth. In her hand is a severed head, and she sits on a decapitated body. Followers will often cut open their chests to offer their blood to her. For women, Kali means "shakti" or "power"... and isn't that what women have been wanting since the Fall... power? "You will become like God", the serpent whispered to Eve, and is still whispering to this day. She is the goddess of death and destruction... a symbol of darkness.
My prayer, and my dream for Calcutta, is that the name will change from no longer the dwelling place of Kali... death, destruction, pain... but will instead be known as the dwelling place of God. His city full of life, hope, and peace... light.
I believe that it will happen with these children... 150 children who live in hell and walk among darkness. They will carry the light... they will be the light. Jesus, I believe this and I declare this over your little ones... Little ones you love and have created with a specific purpose to change the world and bring glory to your name.
God, no matter what abuse, what stories, what words are spoken over them as they return to their homes, let your words hold fast in their hearts. Bind it to them Lord, that they will know the truth. May they never forget you are the One true God... not an idol made of stone or the lie of a prophet... but You, the Living, Resurrected, Holy and Perfect God, who gave up everything so they could have life. Oh Jesus, be their life. Protect them from the perverse desires of the enemy. Cover them with your angels, and may those who wish to do harm to them be genuinely afraid because you are guarding them with your power. I know this makes you angry... injustice done to the weak and vulnerable. God, may those who try to hurt them in any way see and feel your anger and your wrath. May we as your people never sit quietly or become content with empty prayers and idol hands. Fill us with your anger, your desires, your Spirit. When your little ones cry out, answer them. Teach them to pray. Send your angels around them. Be their superhero. Be their light.
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