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
"Do not think that I have come to abolish the law or the prophets; I have come not to abolish but to fulfill. For truly I tell you, until heaven and earth pass away, not one letter, not one stroke of a letter, will pass from the law until all is accomplished …” Matthew 5:17-18
“Look at Jesus. The world did not pay any attention to him. He was crucified and put away. His message of love was rejected by a world in search of power, efficiency and control… The question is not: How many people take you seriously? How much are you going to accomplish? Can you show some results? But: Are you in love with Jesus? Perhaps another way of putting the question would be: Do you know the incarnate God? In our world of loneliness and despair, there is an enormous need for men and women who know the heart of God, a heart that forgives, that cares, that reaches out and wants to heal. In that heart there is no suspicion, no vindictiveness, no resentment and not a tinge of hatred. It is a heart that wants only to give love and receive love in response. It is a heart that suffers immensely because it sees the magnitude of human pain and the great resistance to trusting the heart of God who wants to offer consolation and hope.”
"Dear Jesus, I do love you. Teach me to know your heart and show that love to the world.”
Christ Our Hope, daily Lenten devotions compiled from the writings of Henri J.M. Nouwen
I often use parts of the devotion above when I speak to groups, and especially when I talk about how difficult it can be to look at the faces of children who are suffering abuse, neglect, deprivation and/or exploitation. Sometimes it is so hard to read about these situations or watch them on television or the Internet. At times, I’ve turned my head away when I didn’t think I could take any more. Then I wonder how God can stand it…
In those painful moments, I find reassurance from Nouwen’s words. They tell me that God’s heart of compassion breaks for those who suffer. “It is a heart that suffers immensely because it sees the magnitude of human pain…” And that God needs “men and women who know the heart of God, a heart that forgives, that cares, that reaches out and wants to heal.” God needs us to reach out and offer love and hope to the suffering children of the world… to acknowledge their suffering and love them as we are loved by our compassionate Creator.
Richard Foster said something at a conference I attended last year that enlightened and encouraged me. He said that “prayer is a way of loving another human being.” Through prayer, we can acknowledge the suffering of the world’s children and share the heart of God with them. We can love them through our prayers.
When we acknowledge this suffering though, we must be careful. In Foster’s book, Prayer: Finding the Heart’s True Home, he writes, “…None of us is to shoulder the burden of prayer for everyone and everything. We are finite human beings, and it is an act of humility to recognize our limitations.” We are encouraged to give all of these things over to God in prayer and not hold onto these burdens ourselves. By joining together to intercede on behalf of children, we share this tremendous burden with one another, and then release it into God’s capable hands.
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,
In those painful moments, I find reassurance from Nouwen’s words. They tell me that God’s heart of compassion breaks for those who suffer. “It is a heart that suffers immensely because it sees the magnitude of human pain…” And that God needs “men and women who know the heart of God, a heart that forgives, that cares, that reaches out and wants to heal.” God needs us to reach out and offer love and hope to the suffering children of the world… to acknowledge their suffering and love them as we are loved by our compassionate Creator.
Richard Foster said something at a conference I attended last year that enlightened and encouraged me. He said that “prayer is a way of loving another human being.” Through prayer, we can acknowledge the suffering of the world’s children and share the heart of God with them. We can love them through our prayers.
When we acknowledge this suffering though, we must be careful. In Foster’s book, Prayer: Finding the Heart’s True Home, he writes, “…None of us is to shoulder the burden of prayer for everyone and everything. We are finite human beings, and it is an act of humility to recognize our limitations.” We are encouraged to give all of these things over to God in prayer and not hold onto these burdens ourselves. By joining together to intercede on behalf of children, we share this tremendous burden with one another, and then release it into God’s capable hands.
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
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