The power of prayer has been proven for thousands of years. Recent scientific research has begun to weigh in as well, proving the effectiveness of prayer. Even among strangers, over long distances, when the person prayed for had no idea what was happening.

So often we feel helpless when we see evil running rampant in our world. And it's particularly heartbreaking when children are abducted. But we can do more than wring our hands, more than post on the Internet, more than hand out fliers, more than raise the awareness about the issue. We can turn to God.

I won't go into a long, theological discussion about evil and why a loving God would allow children to be abducted. That's for another time and place. Instead, I want to face the situation at hand and try to help.

Tens of voices joined together has an effect. Hundreds of voices even more so. Can you imagine the effect of thousands of voices raised in prayer on behalf of these children? In the late 1980's, mass prayer had a documented effect of reducing violent crime in selected cities. In November 1998, mass prayer shut down bombing runs that had begun over Iraq. If we join together in prayer, we can have the same sort of effect on behalf of these children.

How?

Begin with YOUR prayers. Go to the Polly Klaas site-or any other-where you can learn about specific kids, not just "children." You can even scroll down the page and pray for the children I've highlighted. The important thing to do is choose a child, or children, and then pray for those specific kids. Focus on one at a time.
Pray for their safety. Pray that they are comforted. Pray that they become aware of God's presence, even in the midst of their horror. Pray for their safe return.
Pray for the person or people who abducted the child. Pray that God would move in their heart, would break the stronghold of evil that has overtaken them. Pray that they are moved to kindness and mercy for the child.
Pray for law enforcement to be guided to find the child. Pray that the family and loved ones of the child be comforted and reassured.

Specific prayers for specific children can have specific results.

If you'd like help formulating prayers, post a comment. I'll point you in the right direction and even suggest prayers for you if that's what you want.

Please just don't read this, nod, think it's interesting, and then move on. Stop right now. Find a child to pray for. Then pray. It's not complicated and it could literally change a child's life. Do it.

Missing Child: Aluntae Lewis

Nickname: Tae

Date Missing: 8/6/2006
Missing From: Chicago, IL
DOB: 8/14/1992
Age at Disappearance: 13 years
Sex: Female
Race: African American
Height: 5'6"
Weight: 135-145
Eyes: Brown
Hair: Black, dyed reddish
Other: Aluntae's ears are pierced.

Circumstances: Aluntae went missing from her home in Chicago, Illinois. She has not been seen or heard from since her disappearance. Aluntae may still be in the local area.

If you have information concerning this case, please contact:
Chicago Police Department - (312) 745-6052
or The Polly Klaas® Foundation (800) 587-4357

Let's build upon our individual prayers and multiply their effectiveness.

I proposed a Day of Prayer for Missing Children on August 15th, a Wednesday. If you missed it, not to worry. Just begin praying today.

I encourage people all across the US--as well as in other countries--to find at least 5 minutes some time during the day to pray for these children. Pray longer if you can. Pray for specific children.

As you pray, visualize that child reunited with his or her family. Hold a picture in your mind of that child's happy, smiling face as he or she is being embraced by family and loved ones. Feel in your heart, while you pray, that what you are visualizing, what you are praying for, is actually happening as you are praying. Harness the power of your God-given imagination.

Missing Child: Jayson Nathaniel Wells

Date Missing: 4/16/2006
Missing From: Groves, TX
DOB: 7/13/1999
Age at Disappearance: 6 years
Sex: Male
Race: Caucasian
Height: 3'10"
Weight: 46 lbs.
Eyes: Blue
Hair: Brown

Circumstances: Jayson was abducted on April 16, 2006 by his non-custodial mother, Barbara Wells. A warrant for Custodial Interference was issued for the abductor in July, 2006. They may have traveled out of the state to Tennessee or Kentucky.

If you have information concerning this case, please contact:
Groves Police Department - (409) 727-1614
or The Polly Klaas® Foundation (800) 587-4357

I'm sure there are those who will read this or hear about it and conclude that I'm not playing with a full deck. That something like praying for these kids can't possibly work. That it could even cause more damage by raising hope and expectation among the families of these children.

So for you skeptics who have not yet experienced the true power of God's prayer, I suggest a modified "Pascal's Wager."

Even if you don't believe it will work, pray anyway. (God can handle the prayers of those with mixed motivations just as he can handle the prayers of avowed atheists.) Just go ahead and pray. If nothing happens, you will have lost nothing more than 5 minutes out of your day. On the other hand, you just might wind up participating in something that could have ripples in millions of lives. Including yours.

So go ahead. Don't let fear make your decision, let love. Pray for the children. Pray for a child. Look at the picture of the child you have chosen or been led to, look into that child's eyes, and then let your heart speak: that can be your prayer.

On behalf of that child, I'd like to thank you.

Missing Child: Joshua Dorsch

Nickname: "Josh"

Date Missing: 9/18/2006
Missing From: Glen Burnie, MD
DOB: 1/6/1992
Age at Disappearance: 14 years
Sex: Male
Race: Caucasian
Height: 5'6"
Weight: 140 lbs.
Eyes: Brown
Hair: Brown

Last seen wearing: Blue jeans and t-shirt.
Circumstances: Joshua went missing from his home in Glen Burnie, Maryland on September 18, 2006. Josh has not been seen or heard from since his disappearance.

If you have information concerning this case, please contact:
Glen Burnie Police Department - (410) 222-8610
or The Polly Klaas® Foundation (800) 587-4357

Just make a contribution to the Polly Klaas Foundation. Then post a comment in the Guestbook. That'll encourage others to do the same. Finally, use the Contact Me button in the upper left to send me your email address. I'll send you a link for your free eBook, Focus on Prayer.