Pray for 10-year-old girls around the world

Turning 10 might not seem like the most significant of birthdays but this age marks a crucial milestone for many girls. A recent report by the United Nations Population Fund shows that our collective future is in the hands of today’s 10-year-old girls and the investment we choose to make in their lives.

For some, this age marks the journey into adolescence and an expanding world of new possibilities. For others this is the age where their potential is cut short. In many countries where Compassion works, a 10-year old girl

• is deemed ready for marriage
• she may suffer from complications related to pregnancy and child birth
• she may be forced to abandon her education
• she may experience gender-based violence
• she may be pressured into domestic labour

“Whenever a girl’s potential goes unrealized, we all lose,” says UNFPA Executive Director Dr. Babatunde Osotimehin

Lord, we pray for every girl who faces enormous challenges and obstacles as she enters into adolescence. We pray for her protection against the effects of gender inequality which can rob her of so much. Show us how we can work together to realise the potential of every 10-year-old girl, investing in her life to shape the world’s future. Amen.