Everything You Need to Know: Prayer for Widows and Orphans!

This post is all about prayer for widows and orphans

Today I am writing a very important post concerning widows and orphans. This post is super close to my heart because I have a personal connection to widows and orphans! I have cousins in Kenya who lost their mom and dad at a very young age (they became orphans). I also have aunts who became widows. Without missing a beat, my parents stepped in to help.

Regarding my orphaned cousins, my parents raised them as our siblings, and we were basically indistinguishable. We went to the same schools and sometimes even shared the same bed! One cousin named Ida became closer to me than my blood sisters. They truly felt loved, appreciated, and cared for! When Ida was grown up, she became very sick in her 20s; my mom was forever by her bedside.❤️

I know how vulnerable my cousins were. They were too young to care for and fend for themselves when they lost their parents. My parents went on to educate and care for numerous other children in our village. I dedicate this post to them and many other people who are responding to this call and ministry to serve this population! I’m so glad that my parents had this heart to serve.

In this post, I will explore scriptures and bible stories in depth. I will also offer 7 prayer points for those who want to support widows and orphans.

Ready? Let’s go!

Why are widows and orphans so important to God!

Widows and orphans are important to God because they are some of the most vulnerable people in society. They don’t have anyone to protect them or provide for them. This is why God commands us to take care of widows and orphans…and guess what, He fiercely defends them!

Old Testament bible stories about widows and orphans

 In the Old Testament, we see examples of how God blessed those who cared for widows and orphans. Let’s look at three:

Elijah raises a widows son (See 1 Kings 17:17-24)

Elisha offers provision to a widow by multiplying oil (See 2 Kings 4:1-7)

In the book of Ruth, we see how God blessed Naomi and Ruth (both widows). Naomi and Ruth loved and cared for each other. Ruth was a Moabite widow who followed her Jewish mother-in-law back to her homeland. As a result of their obedience, God blessed them both with a husband and protector in Boaz. This story was one of providence and redemption, foreshadowing what Jesus would do. (Ruth 1-2).

Bible verse about widows and orphans

Many bible verses talk about the blessings God has for widows and orphans.

Let’s touch on a few:

In James 2:26, we are told that faith without works is dead. This means that our faith must be demonstrated through our actions. One way we can do this is by taking care of widows and orphans.

Exodus 22:22-24 gives a stern warning and impending punishment against people who take advantage of widows or the fatherless!

Psalms 68:5 tells us that God is a father to the fatherless and a husband to the widow. This means that He will take care of them when no one else will. He will be their protector and provider.

In Deuteronomy 10:18, we are told that God is concerned about widows and orphans. This means that He cares about their well-being. He wants to make sure they are taken care of.

In Zechariah 7:10, we see a warning against oppressing widows, the fatherless, etc.

Psalm 82:3 says, “Defend the weak and the fatherless; uphold the cause of the poor and the oppressed. Rescue the weak and the needy; deliver them from the hand of the wicked.”

And in Psalm 68:5, we read, ” A father to the fatherless, a defender of widows, is God in his holy dwelling.”

5 practical ways to support widows and orphans

Prayer is so essential for widows and orphans. God cares deeply about them and has given us specific instructions on how to pray for them.

As we pray for widows and orphans, let us also be mindful of how we can practically support them. Many organizations do fantastic work on behalf of widows and orphans, and we can support their work financially or with our time and talents. Let us also be sensitive to the widows and orphans in our own communities and look for ways to bless them.

Here are five ways we can help widows and orphans, according to scripture:

1. We can visit them

James says that true religion is to visit orphans and widows in their distress (James 1:27)

2. We can provide for them

In Matthew 25:40, Jesus tells us that whatever we do for the least of his people, we do for him. Note: Nowadays, many credible organizations have programs where you can sponsor families, orphans, and widows worldwide!

3. We can advocate for them

There are many ways we can be advocates for widows and orphans. We can write letters to our representatives, support organizations that help them, and prayerfully consider how God is calling us to get involved.

4. We can give them a voice

Many widows and orphans are silent because they don’t have anyone to speak up for them. We can be their voice by speaking up for them in prayer, in conversation, and in the decisions we make.

5. We can love them

Ultimately, what widows and orphans need most is our love. We can show them the love of Christ by being patient with them, kind to them, and slow to anger.

If we can do these things, then we will be making a difference in the lives of widows and orphans, and we will be glorifying God. Let’s prayerfully consider how we can help those who are so important to Him.

Being the hands and feet of Jesus

First, let’s review a verse about being the body of Christ:

“Now you are the body of Christ, and each one of you is a part of it. And God has appointed in the church first of all apostles, second prophets, third teachers, then workers of miracles, also those having gifts of healing, those able to help others, those with gifts of administration, and those speaking in different kinds of tongues.” – 1 Corinthians 12:27-28

We are all called to be Christlike in how we serve others, especially those who are vulnerable and without family. This means that if we say we follow Jesus, part of our proof will be in how we care for those who can’t care for themselves.

Since widows and orphans are some of the most vulnerable people in our society, they don’t have anyone to fight for them or advocate on their behalf. But we serve a God who is their defender, and He has called us to be His hands and feet in caring for them. We will be doing the will of the Father when we align ourselves to this call.

Ask God what appointment He (God) has placed in your purpose journey to fulfill the mandate.

Seven prayer points for widows and orphans

There are seven prayer points for widows and orphans that we can pray based on scripture.

1. Protection

Pray that God would protect them from harm. “Keep me as the apple of your eye; hide me in the shadow of your wings.” (Psalm 17:08)

2. Strength

Pray that God would be their source of strength. “The Lord is my strength and my shield; my heart trusts in him, and he helps me. My heart leaps for joy, and with my song I praise him.” (Psalm 28:7).

3. Provision

Pray that God would supply all their needs. “But my God shall supply all your need according to his riches in glory by Christ Jesus.” (Philippians 4:19)

4. Wisdom

Pray that God would give them wisdom. ” If you need wisdom, ask our generous God, and he will give it to you. He will not rebuke you for asking.” (James 1:5)

5. Hope and love

Pray that God would give them hope and that they would know they are loved. “And now abide faith, hope, love, these three; but the greatest of these is love.” (1 Corinthians 13:13)

6. Comfort

Pray that God would give them comfort. “All praise to God, the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ. God is our merciful Father and the source of all comfort. 4 He comforts us in all our troubles so that we can comfort others. When they are troubled, we will be able to give them the same comfort God has given us.” (2 Corinthians 1:3-4)

7. Peace

Pray that God would give them peace. “And the peace of God, which passeth all understanding, shall keep your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus.” (Philippians 4:7)

When we pray for widows and orphans, we are standing in the gap for those who cannot stand up for themselves. We are being obedient to what God has called us to do. And we can rest assured that He hears our prayers and will answer in His perfect timing and His perfect way.

Prayer for widows and orphans

Based on the prayer points listed above, here is a sample prayer. Feel free to add or tweak the prayer as the Spirit leads.

Sample prayer for widows and orphans:

Father God, we come before you with praise and thanksgiving because you are the One true living God. We begin by lifting up all widows and orphans before You. Indeed, You are their father and protector. They are precious in Your sight.

We thank You for being a faithful Father to them. Thank You for providing for their needs and meeting their every need. Thank You for being their strong tower and their refuge.

We ask that You would pour out Your blessings upon them. Bless them with Your presence, O Lord! We also ask that you fill their hearts with hope and joy. Draw them close to You, Father God.

We pray that You would give them wisdom and understanding. Help them to know You more, Lord. Teach them to trust You and lean on You.

We ask that You would protect them from all harm. Keep them safe from all danger. Surround them with Your angels.

And finally, we pray that they would come to know Jesus as their personal Lord and Savior. We pray that they would be saved and have eternal life in Him.

Amen.

And that’s it, folks, prayer for widows and orphans

In conclusion, prayer for widows and orphans is very important. There is also a divine blessing in serving these communities. I have seen God add unto many people when they take on this mission and serve sincerely with all their hearts.

Remember, God hears the cries of the widow and the orphan (Exodus 22:23). He is their defender (Psalm 82:3) and their refuge (Psalm 9:9). When we pray for them, we are aligning ourselves with His heart.

Hugs,