UNITED KINGDOM (ANS) -- Five-year-old Madeleine Beth McCann was abducted in Praia de Lux, Portugal, while on vacation from Great Britain in May 2007. She was taken while sleeping in the same bedroom as her sister and brother.

Her parents, Gerry and Kate McCann, were dining close by, but regularly checking on the children. Since her abduction there have been several sightings of her, most notably in Morocco, Spain and Portugal.

A photo of Madeleine taken in May, 2007.

Since May 2007, there has been a worldwide search for her and an investigation into her disappearance, which continues to this day. Madeleine is distinguished by a mark in her right eye.

Now two friends of the McCann family are organizing a second Worldwide Day of Prayer for Madeleine, to be held on Saturday, September 19, 1.00 - 2.00 pm and 10.30 - 11.30pm.

"The idea for the day of prayer came from two individuals, myself and Nina Jones," said Madeleine Prayer Circle organizer John Wearne.

"We met via a website and both have interests in her disappearance as well as many Christian contacts in the world that involve their own circle of Christian friends and churches in prayer these days," Wearne told ASSIST News.

"In the last prayer session on August 8, we had reached out to thousands of people and approximately 6,000 people prayed for Madeleine and other lost children during the August event," Wearne said.

"As yet there is no website supporting the prayer event directly, although this is planned before the next event," he said.

Another photo of Madeleine in May, 2007

Wearne said it is believed that Madeleine was 'taken to order' by a child trafficking network and is currently being held by a European pedophile network.

"Belgium and its surrounding countries are a hot topic at the moment with a belief that she may well be hidden in this region," he said.

"The McCanns are Christians and pray as we do for her safe return. The McCanns recently campaigned for the introduction of the 'Amber Alert' system in Europe," Wearne added.

Wearne was asked what is the current situation regarding the investigation into Madeleine's disappearance?

"The investigation team is pursuing a line that Madeleine was abducted and is still alive (no proof contrary to this) and being held by a network somewhere. They have several investigation teams involved in looking for her," Wearne said.

Wearne said Madeleine's parents, "both have faith, and there is support via the church and from their close family and friends."

Madeleine Prayer Circle logo

The main goal of the Day of Prayer is to unite Christians throughout the world in prayer for Madeleine and other innocents held by child trafficking networks.

"We feel that the battle is spiritual and by going through prayer that God will listen to the cries of His people and that this will sway the spiritual balance in Madeleine's favor," said Wearne.

"Everything is done through God and there is total belief that one day Madeleine will one day come home. God may have a greater plan for others and may well be using Madeleine in that plan. We petition God always for His will to be done and ask that Madeleine be brought home," he said.

Wearne cited two Bible verses the Madeleine Prayer Circle is basing their hopes upon.

Mathew 18:19(New International Standard Version) says: "If two of you agree about anything you request, it will be done for you by My Father in Heaven."

Colossians 4:2-3 (New American Standard Bible) states that "praying at the same time will open up a door for the Word."

Widespread Problem of Missing and Exploited Children

Wearne explained that in the US there are almost 1 million children reported missing each year; 60,000 children are victims of non-family abductions (National Center for Missing and Exploited Children). In Italy, 2,000 children go missing each year (Labor Online, 2005). More than 1 million children are missing in India, he said.

"The problem is worldwide. The problem is that due to the power involved in child trafficking the numbers are hard to ascertain, but the figure would probably be around 6 million children that go missing every year. In Spain and Portugal there are also serious concerns. The prayers are needed not just for Madeleine, but for these other innocent children," Wearne said.

Law enforcement bodies worldwide are involved in the search for Madeleine.

"There are approximately four or five different investigation teams working on the case, including Interpol. The use of Madeleine-related websites get the message across to people and there are affiliates that help the family to find Madeleine by working to their agenda," Wearne said.

Please feel free join the Madeleine Prayer Circle group for the second worldwide prayer session to be held September 19, 2008 between 1.00 - 2.00 pm and 10.30 - 11.30 pm to pray for Madeleine and all the children held by criminal networks throughout the world.

Wearne concluded: "We truly believe that the battle for the return of Madeleine McCann is a spiritual one and we would welcome anyone and everyone to join us.

"Prayer is the way forward for us now, rather than active involvement," he said.

The following is a suggested list of Prayer Points for those interested in interceding for Madeleine and the many other children being held against their will by those who seek to do them harm.

Prayer agenda:

1) For the Holy Spirit to be with Madeleine -- to fill her, guide her and protect her so that she feels God's presence at all times and for the Holy Spirit to likewise be with all missing and exploited children around the world.

2) For God to actively intervene in Madeleine's life and for her whereabouts to be revealed to the world and for Madeleine to be returned to her Mother.

3) For God's perfect wisdom to guide and direct Gerry and Kate McCann in everything they do.

4) For the revelation of the truth of Madeleine's disappearance to the world and the imminent exposure of any falsehood that has served to obscure the truth and prevent Madeleine being found.

5) A miracle for Madeleine. For the Holy Spirit, God's supernatural power that only comes through the Lord God Almighty, to intervene in Madeleine's life.

6) For God's miraculous intervention in the lives of all missing and exploited children and their loving families.

7) For the downfall of all criminal networks involved in child sexual exploitation, slavery and torture, and the downfall of the protection afforded to these by corrupt authorities.

8) For all children held in slavery and abuse by criminal pedophile networks to tangibly experience God's divine protection, perfect peace and love and that no matter what is done to them, they will NEVER be separated from His love.

9) For God to reveal the truth of these children's experiences to the world, for the motivation of His people to actively stand up for these children and put an end to this system of evil, and for the delivery of His justice to ALL the victims of these criminal networks.

For more information, contact John Wearne at: johnwearne@hotmail.co.uk  

** Michael Ireland, Chief Correspondent of ANS, is an international British freelance journalist who was formerly a reporter with a London newspaper and has been a frequent contributor to UCB Europe, a British Christian radio station. Michael's involvement with ASSIST News Service is a sponsored ministry department -- Michael Ireland Media Missionary (MIMM) -- of A.C.T. International at: Artists in Christian Testimony (A.C.T.) International.