West Texas Mission Opportunities:Invitation to Prayer

Faces of Children is an ecumenical prayer ministry under the auspices of First Presbyterian Church of Midland, Texas. Our mission is to initiate ministries of prayer for children in churches, communities, and neighborhoods. In doing so, we seek to provide an opportunity for people of God to join together, learn about children and their needs throughout the world, and celebrate Christ's love (especially as it relates to children).

A message from Chris Laufer, Coordinator, Faces of Children

"When we think about prayer, we usually regard it as one of the many things we do to live a full and mature Christian life. If we are fervent in our conviction that prayer is important, we might even be willing to give a whole hour to prayer every day, or a whole day every month, or a whole week every year. Thus prayer becomes a part, a very important part, of our life."

"But when the apostle Paul speaks about prayer, he uses a very different language. He does not speak about prayer as a part of life, but as all of life. He does not mention prayer as something we should not forget, but claims it is our ongoing concern. He does not exhort his readers to pray once in a while, regularly, or often' but without hesitation admonishes them to pray constantly, unceasingly, without interruption. Paul does not ask us to spend some of every day in prayer. No, Paul is much more radical. He asks us to pray day and night, in joy and in sorrow, at work and at play, without intermissions or breaks. For Paul, praying is like breathing. It cannot be interrupted without mortal danger.” Clowning in Rome by Henri J.M. Nouwen

This coming Wednesday, February 11, 2009, we will meet to pray for children at risk at 11:30 a.m. in the Bride's room at First Presbyterian Church, Midland. I hope you are able to join us for prayer and then stay for lunch ($5) and fellowship.

Thank you for your compassion for the children of our community and our world. Thank you for lifting them before God in prayer. If you would like to share prayer celebrations or concerns about children or those who care for them, please send them to me at claufer@facesofchildren.net or give me a call. Thank you for your prayers for the children of the world!

May the grace and peace of our Lord Jesus Christ be with you always,

Chris