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

"A man out of the crowd answered, 'Teacher, I brought my mute son, made speechless by a demon, to you. Whenever it seizes him, it throws him to the ground. He foams at the mouth, grinds his teeth, and goes stiff as a board. I told your disciples, hoping they could deliver him, but they couldn't.'

Jesus said, 'What a generation! No sense of God! How many times do I have to go over these things? How much longer do I have to put up with this? Bring the boy here.' They brought him. When the demon saw Jesus, it threw the boy into a seizure, causing him to writhe on the ground and foam at the mouth. He asked the boy's father, 'How long has this been going on?'

'Ever since he was a little boy. Many times it pitches him into fire or the river to do away with him. If you can do anything, do it. Have a heart and help us!'

Jesus said, 'If? There are no ifs among believers. Anything can happen.' No sooner were the words out of his mouth than the father cried, 'Then I believe. Help me with my doubts!' Seeing that the crowd was forming fast, Jesus gave the vile spirit its marching orders: 'Dumb and deaf spirit, I command you-Out of him, and stay out!' Screaming, and with much thrashing about, it left.

After arriving back home, his disciples cornered Jesus and asked, 'Why couldn't we throw the demon out?' He answered, 'There is no way to get rid of this kind of demon except by prayer.'"

Mark 9:17-26, 28-29, "The Message" by Eugene Peterson

Greetings, Faces of Children Intercessor,

Do you know how a particular piece of scripture will just jump right out at you sometimes? That happened to me when I was reading this story of the demon-possessed son and how Jesus cast it out. The part where Jesus responded to the desperate father's plea really caught my attention.

Jesus said, "If? There are no 'ifs' among believers. Anything can happen.

I asked myself if I really do believe that anything can happen. I want to believe that it is possible for God to do anything, especially when it comes to the hurting children of the world. I want to believe.Lord Jesus help my unbelief.

We'll meet as a community of believers to pray for the children of our world on Wednesday, September 16, 2009 at 11:30 a.m. in the Bride's Room at First Presbyterian Church, Midland. Please stay afterwards for lunch ($5) and fellowship.

Thank you so much for your love and prayers for God’s children! If you have concerns or celebrations about children that you’d like included on the prayer list, please send it to me at claufer@facesofchildren.net or give me a call.

Praying for the children of the world with hope and expectation and wanting to believe that anything can happen,

Chris