A Prayer For Young Carers

Image credit: https://www.carersresource.org/news/harrogate-young-carers-need-you/

Emily is 8 years old. Her sister Chloe is 3 years old and she is very sick. This means that most of the family time is spent caring for Chloe at home or in hospital. Emily has had to learn to grow up and care for herself. She loves her sister very much and prays every day and night that she will be well so she too can get cuddles from mummy and daddy and they can play together again.

Joshua is 9 years old. His mother passed away and his father suffers with seizures. He wakes up with nightmares of his father having seizure and not waking up. Joshua, runs home after school praying daddy will still be home alive. He has no friends because he spends all his time with daddy. He prays every day and night that God will bring his mummy back and make his daddy well again.

Sarah is 6 and Luke is 10. They live with substance abusing parents and they have to care for themselves and their parents. There is hardly any food in the house and they rely on the local church for food, shoes and clothes. They roam the street by day and stay in their rooms at night. They pray together every day and night that they can have their parents back again.

A young carer is anyone under 18 who looks after someone in their family or friend who is ill, disabled or misuses drugs or alcohol1. As at 2010, the BBC reported about 700,000 young careers across the UK and only half of them are known to a member of staff at school. They often miss school, struggle to juggle education with their caring duties and are bullied2. Australia reported 272000 young carers as at 2015 and there are several more all over the world from as little as 3 years old.

In @Mark-10:13–16 when the Pharisees were bringing their children to Jesus to touch them, the disciples tried to stop them, but Christ rebuked them saying in verse 13;

“Let the little children come to me, and do not hinder them, for the kingdom of God belongs to such as these”.  He then went on in verse 16 and He took the children in his arms, placed his hands on them and blessed them.

Children are God’s treasures and every child should enjoy their childhood. Unfortunately, some young people miss out on their childhood. Today, I pray for and with all young carers around the world longing to feel Gods arms around them.

For 8 year old Emily, 9 year old Joshua, 6 year old Sarah and 10 year old Luke, join me say a prayer with them every day and night that they may find love, cuddles and laughter in their childhood.

@Job-11:18-19

You will be secure, because there is hope; you will look about you and take your rest in safety. 

You will lie down, with no one to make you afraid, and many will court your favor.

References

https://carers.org/about-us/about-young-carers

http://www.carersaustralia.com.au/about-carers/young-carers2/