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 05/12/10

Bangladesh
• Please keep in prayer the estimated 250,000 Rohingya, a Muslim minority from Burma, living in Bangladesh. Pray for these stateless refugees, most of whom have no documentation and struggle to survive, as they deal with frequent beatings and threats of deportation. The Bangladeshi government has recently cracked down on the Rohingya population, sending hundreds back to Burma. Pray for the families and children who have been deported. Many Rohingya choose to return to Bangladesh because the conditions in Burma are far worse.
• Pray for the children of these illegal immigrants as they lack access to education or other government programs.
A report from the BBC
A report from the New York Times

India
• Pray for the children at the two Gyanankur (gyan-ankur: seedlings of knowledge) schools in India. Please pray for the 320 children in the village school who come from five surrounding villages, including 30 from a children's home. Pray for the 500 children at the urban school, some of whom are from a local slum area and a children's home. Pray that God will be with these children as they learn together in a joyful and loving environment that nurtures physical, emotional, social, and spiritual development.
• Give thanks to God for the vision of the school leadership that encourages all children at these schools - no matter if they are street children, are orphaned, or are from villages or wealthy families - to pursue their dreams with dignity and integrity. Thanks be to God for the community development initiatives that will help transform the local and larger communities, allowing people to break out of the cycle of poverty.
A report from gyanankur.com

Uganda/United States
• Pray for the team from First Presbyterian Church, Midland, Texas, as they prepare for their annual mission trip to Uganda. Pray that God will provide them with safe travels and good health throughout the trip. And pray that God will prepare the way as they proclaim the gospel message and help plant a new church.
• Pray for the pastor and leaders of this new church in Uganda as they finish the building process. Please pray that God will provide for their needs as this community is very poor. Pray for the children in this area-that they might be receptive to the message from the mission team.
• Please pray for the health and safety of the 90 orphans at the Lulwanda Children's Home and especially for Nellie who is recovering from surgery earlier this year. Pray for Lulwanda ministry leaders Pastor Morris and Aidah as they serve the children of Lulwanda and other areas.
A report from ugandaorphans.org

United Kingdom
• Pray for children in the UK and other countries around the world who are often bombarded with inappropriate material that distorts their perception of themselves, encourages boys to become fixated on being dominant, and girls to present themselves as sexually available and permissive. A British Home Office report states there is a "clear link between sexualized imagery and violence towards females."
• Pray for more oversight by parents of what media their children are consuming. Pray for more awareness of society's trend towards hyper-sexualization and the link between that and violence against women and girls.
A report from the BBC

United States
• Please keep Rebecca held close in prayer as she struggles to overcome a very troubled past and discover where God is leading her and what God would have her do.

Faces of Children
• Give thanks to God for the new intercessors that joined Faces of Children after the World Vision Step into Africa exhibit and events at First Congregational Church in Hopkinton, Massachusetts. Almost 3,000 people visited the week-long interactive experience. Give God thanks and praise that 410 children were chosen for sponsorship through World Vision at this event!
A report from worldvisionexperience.org
• 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.