God’s Got This: Praying For Kids In Foster Careنموونە

Prayers for Group Homes in your State

Some of you may not have ever thought about where a foster child may be placed when the state can’t find a safe, and suitable home in which to place them. Where does a hurting child go when no family is willing or able to open their door to this child’s specific hurts and needs? There are group homes that provide a home parent, a safe place to stay, and structure for children in care that have not yet found a permanent living situation.

For some of the harder-to-place kiddos, sibling groups, or kids about to age out of the system, a group home can provide structure, stability and safety when it’s needed most. Although we know that children thrive best in family, some children need the therapeutic environment provided by a group home.

As with all homes, some are stellar and some may be less so, but as part of the body of Christ, we’re all called to do what we can. Perhaps you could sponsor a monthly birthday celebration at a  group home near your home. Maybe you could contact the director to see if any of the children there need tutoring in a subject in which you are accomplished. Perhaps you could reach out to their care providers to invite kids who don’t have a family to visit during Christmas or Easter to come celebrate with your own family.

Mentoring, creating welcome baskets, or coming to do a day of service at their home can speak volumes to a home director and to the kids.  By welcoming them into the community,  you are  recognizing that they are worthy of being blessed. Pray about how you can connect with these homes that are providing a safe home environment for kids who really need it. This is service, but it’s also about safety. A dear mommy-mentor of mine has these wise words to share:  "9-1-1 – Call before you dial!" Call out Psalm 91:1 first claiming the protection God offers all of His children on behalf of the kids in group care in your community, and then ask Him what you can do! He will answer, and it will be good!

Dear Heavenly Father, we recognize that family is the best option for a growing child, but in the absence of a safe family and in the support of a healing heart, we pray Your blessing and provision over the group homes that are standing in the gap for kids in care. We pray that You show up in real ways, through the safety and stability afforded the child in this place, but also the building of trust, of skills and the understanding of their innate worth. Lord, as these children grow and heal in these places, we ask that You Hide them under Your wings, giving them respite to deal with what they have faced, and the tools to not let these hard things define them. Lord, burden the communities around these homes to embrace them, to support them and to embrace and support the children who are healing there. We pray for the house parents to persevere in the face of hardship, and to lean into You in BIG ways. In Your name we pray - Amen.