Faces of Children: Prayer Requests

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).

Prayer Concerns for the week of 01/20/10

Haiti
• Please keep the children and people of Haiti held close in prayer following the worst earthquake in 200 years - a devastating 7.0 magnitude - on January 12. Pray that rescue teams can reach survivors in time. Pray that God will provide the resources and people needed to quickly help survivors.
A report from alertnet.org
A report from the New York Times
• Pray for the children and staff at New Canaan Orphanage and for those at For His Glory Orphanage in Haiti.
A quake relief update from For His Glory

Burma/Myanmar, United States
• Give thanks to God for the work of Partners Relief and Development in providing emergency supplies for families being chased by the Burma Army; housing for children orphaned by this conflict; and training for teachers and healthcare workers. Pray for the hundreds of children blessed by this organization's outreach and generosity. Pray for children who do not have access to this kind of help and support.
• Thanks be to God for the Partners' art therapy program that helped children and youth share their life experiences and that is now providing a window into those experiences through the exhibit Hope for the Child of War-art and stories from Burma's conflict zone. Please pray that many people will attend the art show events in California this winter and spring and lift Burma's hurting, hunted children in prayer.
A report from partnersworld.org

India (Sahaara Charitable Society www.sahaarasociety.org/)
• Give praise to God that these daughters of trafficked women-Sonali, Muskan, Sanya, and Mamta have secured admission in a prestigious school! Pray that their transition into this new learning environment will go smoothly and that they will be successful in their studies. Pray that God will be with all of the daughters of trafficked women at Sahaara Charitable Society's Anandalay Centre.
• Thanks be to God for the Christmas programs conducted in all seven children's observation homes and for the almost 2,000 children blessed by this outreach. Give thanks to God for the local Mumbai churches that also provided each child with a personalized gift hamper.
• And thanks and praise to God for the Christmas programs that brought cheer to ten slum communities-pre-primary children performed skits and dances that depicted the Christmas story.
• Please keep Babu Pareb and Raisha held close in prayer and pray that God will provide these children of trafficked women a place of refuge.
• Pray for all of the children with whom the staff and volunteers of Sahaara Charitable Society interact on a daily basis. Pray for their emotional, physical, and psychological health. Pray that God will provide them with all they need to grow strong and empowered-to be all God intended these precious children to be.

Sudan
• Pray for the children of Sudan as tensions and conflicts increase between the north and south five years after the 2005 comprehensive peace agreement was signed. Pray that this fragile peace will be maintained despite the rising violence, chronic poverty, and political tensions in this region.
A report from alertnet.org
A report from the BBC

United States
• Please pray that God will provide healing for 9-year-old Lauren
who is critically ill at Texas Children's Hospital in Houston. Pray that, with God's help, Lauren's physicians and hospital staff can reverse her condition-Lauren's organs have begun to fail. Please keep her parents, siblings, and friends held close in prayer, as well, and that Christ's peace that surpasses all understanding will sustain them through this crisis.
• Continue to keep the children and young people at Children's Hope Residential Services held close in prayer. Pray that God will bring healing to these emotionally disturbed children. Give thanks to God for the staff at this residential facility that care so deeply for these children and young people. Pray that God will sustain them in this difficult and demanding ministry. Pray that God will provide the resources needed to expand this ministry so it can help even more children.

Faces of Children
• Please continue to pray that more churches and individuals will join with the ministry of Faces of Children in spreading awareness about children in crisis and inviting more people to pray for children at risk.