To receive daily emails from Breaking Christian News to your inbox CLICK HERE

Ever since the children started praying together, the pastor says there have been no deaths, houses burned or even violence in their section of this slum. Adults recite this fact in amazement. The children, however, don't even mention it because it's exactly what they expected to happen. "Pastor told us that there is power in prayer. He said we can change the country through prayer," says 12-year-old. "So that is what we are doing, changing the country."

(Kenya)—In the latest edition of Missions Catalyst, Sue Sprenkle, an overseas correspondent for the International Mission Board, who has been reporting from Africa for 10 years describes a scene inside the small, tin shack of a Baptist church filled with children. "After three weeks of post-election violence, it's good to hear the sounds of children laughing and playing—especially in the hard-hit slums of Nairobi," she says.
"My heart overflows with emotion as I hear a sound even more precious than laughter—a child's sweet, innocent prayer."

"Father, our country is in trouble. We pray for peace to come," an 11-year-old boy prays. "Protect us, Father. Teach people to love one another and not to fight anymore."

For the last two weeks, Sprenkle says, children in this small slum area have gathered to pray for their country. "The church's pastor says the children started gathering on their own, so he let them in the church. The daily prayer meeting now attracts more than 200 children ranging in age from three to 17."

Ever since the children started praying together, the pastor says there have been no deaths, houses burned or even violence in their section of this slum. Adults recite this fact in amazement. The children, however, don't even mention it because it's exactly what they expected to happen.

"Pastor told us that there is power in prayer. He said we can change the country through prayer," 12-year-old Boniface explains. "So that is what we are doing, changing the country."

Sprenkle comments: "I'm amazed at the depth of understanding these children have of the issues surrounding the Kenya post-election chaos."

The 12-year-old prays for President Mwai Kibaki and opposition leader Raila Odinga to sit at one table and talk peacefully. Votes cast in the election for these two candidates are under contention. The two leaders have yet to talk to each other in an effort to bring the strife in Kenya to a peaceful resolution.

Sprenkle explained that UNICEF estimates that more than 40 percent of the displaced are children. "Parents put their children on trucks headed to the camps for displaced people but stayed behind to protect their houses and belongings. Many sit in camps, unable to attend schools that just opened mid-January," she said.

In her story, Sprenkle notes that another young boy prays for the people hurting others who are not from the same tribe, referring to reports of ethnic animosity throughout the country. He asks God to help them all be brothers and sisters and one people.

The pastor smiles and whispers to me, "A few days ago that one asked if I knew what tribe he was. I told him no. He didn't know, either. So he told me, 'I think I belong to the tribe of Kenya.'"

When it's time for the "babies" to pray, a fearless four-year-old clasps his hands and closes his eyes so tight that his entire face scrunches up, Sprenkle writes. "God, people die," he says in prayer. "Please do not let anyone die in front of my house."

"It's now my turn to pray and close the meeting," says Sprenkle, adding: "There's not much left to say, so I thank God for the innocent prayers of children and their faith in His answers."

"As soon as I say 'Amen,' the church buzzes with little voices and bottled-up energy spurts out freely. Laughing and holding hands, the children rush into the rain and head home.

"Even though it's dry season and the rains are not supposed to come for another month, no one complains about getting wet or muddy. The rain is an answered prayer."

Sprenkle says the children had prayed about a three-day countrywide protest called by the opposition party. They had asked God to take control and keep people from dying.

She adds that because of the rains, turnout for the protest was much smaller than expected. While there was still a lot of property damage, it was much less than predicted. Death tolls for the week were the lowest since the incidents started.

"See," seven-year-old Natasha whistles through her missing two front teeth, "God answers prayers."

To receive daily emails from Breaking Christian News to your inbox CLICK HERE

'God Hasn't Forgotten Them': Franklin Graham Ministers to Venezuela Earthquake Survivors (Video)

Shocking Stats in Oregon Make It the Leading State in Child Mutilation

(Watch) Senior Pentagon Official Vows to 'Undo' MAGA Progress on Undercover Video. It Doesn't Go Well

Transgender Activist Gets No Jail Time for Threatening to Kill Republican Congresswoman

President Trump Returns to White House Correspondents' Dinner after April Attack Halted Gala

Mamdani's Rhetoric Gets Results: Muslim Screaming 'Allahu Akbar' Stabs Two, Including a Jewish Man

Trump Unveils Historic Saudi Nuclear Deal

New Jersey's Noncitizen Voting 'Glitch' Exposes Massive Election Integrity Crisis

Christian Artist Stuns Music World at 14 Years Old, Uses His Gifts to Glorify Christ

Arkansas Officer Tragically Dies Saving Fiancée's Life Just Hours after Proposing

Texas Meteorologist Speaks Out after Viral Prayer: 'The Spirit of God Came Over Me'

What You May Not Know about the Now Viral WNBA Guard, Sophie Cunningham

Religious Groups Seek Exemption from NY Assisted Suicide Law that Could Mean Jail Time for Nuns

Jim Jordan Refers Jack Smith for DOJ Criminal Investigation, Alleges He Misled Congress

The US House Bans Insider Trading and Passes Voter ID

Ancient Beams Offer New Evidence of the First Temple's Destruction

New Visa Restrictions Target Left-Wing Terrorists and Extremists

Trump Ramps up Military Pressure on Iran's Regime, Targeting Area Near Pickaxe Mountain Nuclear Site

Epic Fail: Mamdani Finally Makes Humiliating Admission About His Threat to Arrest Netanyahu

How China Made and Shipped Fake Driver's Licenses to Tamper With the 2020 Election

Steve Shultz, Managing Editor
Founder and Owner

Aimee Herd, Editor