An Orphan Prayer Chain

The look on Bella’s face said it all. She stood in front of our fridge, searching the faces of 20 girls from India, pictured in front of the orphanage that our church supports. “They really don’t have parents?” she asked a second time, clearly unable to make sense of it with her four-year-old mind.

“Defend the weak and the orphans; stand up for the cause of the poor and mistreated.” (Psalm 82:3)

In today’s me-centered society, kids are consumed with their next birthday, their next ball game, their next show on Disney+, their next entertaining experience…and most are completely unaware that so many kids their age are suffering. It’s our job to make them aware and help them process it through the eyes of Jesus.

I’m sure we all agree that it’s a good thing to show compassion, but why? Won’t it just make our grandkids sad and fearful? No! In fact, it’s quite the opposite. According to Charter for Compassion:

I love it so much that the creator of our bodies rewards us physically and emotionally when we do the things he calls us to do!

“…as God’s chosen people, holy and dearly loved, clothe yourselves with compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness and patience.” (Colossians 3:12)

He created us to be compassionate and we experience powerful benefits when we follow his instruction. So cool! And what a mighty miracle to share with our grandkids!

The dictionary defines compassion as: sympathetic awareness of the distress of others…AND the desire to alleviate it. A compassionate person not only notices when someone is in distress, but also acts to provide relief.

It’s so important to teach both.

Inspired by Bella’s reaction to the picture hanging on our fridge, I decided to prepare an activity to grow compassion in my grandkids by exploring the needs of the girls in the photo…and others like them.

The end result is the Orphan Prayer Chain below and I’d love for you and your grandkids to join us!

Awareness: What is an orphan and why should I care?

Before making a Prayer Chain, it’s important to clarify that an orphan is a child who has no parents and to draw a distinction between what life is like in your family and what it is like for a child who is an orphan. To do this, start with a blank, two-column chart that can be drawn on a piece of paper, typed on a computer, or created using sticky-notes.  

The chart below, you’ll notice that Bella and I focused on the orphanage in India, since that was what sparked her emotional connection to the issue.

Label the left side of your chart “ME” and the right side of the chart “Orphans.” Next, ask the following questions:

• What things make you feel comfortable?
• What makes you feel loved?
• What do you like to do for fun?

As your grandkids brainstorm answers, write responses in the “ME” column.

Next, ask another question: How do you think the life of an orphan in India is different than yours?

If they get ‘stuck’ consider exploring some Christian orphanages on the internet, reading information and looking at photos. As you explore, make a list on the right side of the chart with what you discover.

This is the list Bella and I created:

Completing the chart will lead to some great discussion with your grandkids, focusing on the first component of compassion: sympathetic awareness of the distress of others.

Action: What can I do to help orphans?

Now it’s time for action! Explain that the Bible tells us to “Defend the weak and the orphans” and to “stand up for the cause of the poor and mistreated.” (Psalm 82:3) 

One way we can stand up for orphans is to pray for them every day by asking God to help them and keep them from harm.

The printable below helps your grandkids do just that!

NOTE: If your grandchildren live far from you, consider printing and sending the supplies for the chain. Once they receive their package, have the above discussion and give directions over the phone or on a video call.

How to make your prayer chain:

• Print one single-sided copy of the printable for each child/family. Using decorative scrapbook paper will spice up the chain, but isn’t necessary.
• As you and your grandchild work together to cut out the strips, read and discuss the prayers.
• If you think of prayers that aren’t included already, write them on the blank strips provided.
• Link the strips together (in any order) to create a chain.
• Attach the chain to the bottom of the poster (page one of the printable). 
• Now it’s ready to hang up! (I chose to send these home with my grands so they could hang them in their rooms)
• Model how they will use one link each day to talk to God about orphans in other countries and even in our own. 
• Each day, they can tear off a link after praying OR leave it on the chain and just start over when they make it to the last link. 

Free Download

A look at Bella’s orphan prayer chain

More resources for encouraging compassion

• Save the Children gift catalog: (goats, clean water, bikes, food, education, etc.)
• Here I Am Orphan Ministries gifts of love: (gifts starting at $2)
• Sponsor a child in another country: visit Compassion International or Vision Trust      
• Explore the issue of foster care in the U.S. by visiting www.adoptuskids.org and then pray for a local foster child, the foster family, birth family and caseworker. 
• Offer to pay your grandkids for chores around your house; then help them use the money to help an orphan.
• When shopping with your grandkids, have them pick out a few school supplies or clothing items to donate to a local DHS office for foster kids.

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