31 Days of Prayer: Children with Special Needs
Through the month of January, EGM is sharing 31 ways to pray for children around the world. On day eight, we are praying that children with special needs receive love and understanding.
Jesus lived a very strategic life.
In His relatively short time here on earth, He focused on people and prioritized things that were of utmost importance to Him. Jesus showed us time and time again how much He loves people. He loves each one of us so much that he made the ultimate sacrifice by dying on the cross to save us from our sins.
Jesus loves children
Jesus also showed us that He has a special place in His heart for children. In Matthew 19:13-15, the disciples attempted to keep children from coming to Him. Jesus not only made it clear that He wanted the children to have access to Him, but He stopped everything He was doing to make time and bless them.
Jesus loves people with special needs
Furthermore, Jesus cared for those with special needs. In Mark 10:46, a blind beggar cries out to Jesus and the crowd rebukes the man, telling him to be silent. Jesus stops and allows the man to come forward to receive healing. The attitude of the crowd towards this man with special needs shifted after they realized he mattered to Jesus.
Jesus’ strategic life was not only to make a significant impact in the lives of those He encountered, but it was to set an example for us to follow.
Jesus is our example for how to love children with special needs
Since Jesus made it clear how important both children and those with special needs are to Him, can you imagine how much God loves a child with special needs? His heart must be overflowing with a love that cannot be contained! When we encounter one of these children, we have the opportunity to be Jesus’ representative. We can follow His example and try to do what Jesus would do.
Since each child is created uniquely, we can start by learning how we can best love and care for each one. The best way to do this is to spend time with the them, learn about them and their special need, and ask God to show us how to love them. According to Matthew 25:40, when we extend love to one of these children, we are extending love to God. Our actions will not only be blessings to the child, but they can also be worship to the Lord!
The next time we encounter a special needs child, let’s look at them through Jesus’ eyes. Let’s make time and room for them. Let’s show God’s love, kindness and acceptance to each of these children who He loves so much.