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 05/19/10

Myanmar/Burma (Free Burma Rangers - http://www.freeburmarangers.org/)
• Please pray for the children of Burma's Karen state who have few options for schooling after the sixth grade. Pray for those whose education is interrupted by Burma Army attacks, untreated illness, hunger, and the struggle to find food. Pray for children whose hope for the future is literally at risk without an education.
• Give God thanks for the Free Burma Rangers who risk their lives to serve the marginalized ethnic hill tribes of Burma ... who literally stand between them and the Burma Army. Please pray that God will provide for the needs of these courageous servants as they care for the children and people of Burma.

India (Dalit Freedom Network - http://www.dalitnetwork.org/)
• Give thanks to God for the work of the Dalit Freedom Network in helping victims of trafficking and raising awareness about this issue. Please pray for the safety and protection of those working with young trafficking victims. Pray for the leaders who work in rescue homes with girls brought out of brothels. Pray that God will be at work in mighty ways through these leaders in helping victims of commercial sexual exploitation. Pray for the girls ... that God will bring them comfort, peace, and healing in this safe environment.

China
• Pray that God will comfort the families of seven children and two adults killed in an attack on a kindergarten in China earlier this month. Pray for those injured and traumatized in the attack. Please pray for an end to this kind of violence against children and those who are vulnerable.
A report from the BBC

Nigeria
• Please pray for the estimated 15,000 children in Nigeria who have been accused of being witches. Pray for children who have been cast out of their homes and communities because of these accusations. Vulnerable children are easy targets for any misfortune that may happen in their families. Pray for children who are orphaned, sick, disabled, or poor and make easy scapegoats for family or community members.
• Pray for those who have been tortured, mutilated, beaten, or starved in violent "exorcisms." Please pray that God will bring comfort to children who have been hurt in this way, sometimes by their own parents or family.
• Pray for accused children who are abandoned and sold into slavery to child traffickers. Pray for those who are now indentured house servants or prostitutes. Pray for their protection, freedom, healing, and restoration.
• Give thanks to God for the child rights law in the state of Akwa Ibom that makes it illegal to denounce children as witches. Pray for increased education about and awareness of this destructive form of child abuse.
• Pray for the spirit of truth to prevail throughout the churches and communities in which this practice is spreading.
A report from the Journeyman Pictures (warning disturbing images)
A report from the BBC
A report from CBS News

Papua New Guinea
• Keep the estimated 20,000 people of northwestern Papua New Guinea held close in prayer as they cope with the worst flooding in 40 years.
• Pray for children who will be more vulnerable to water borne diseases and malaria because of the flooding.
• Pray that medical supplies, mosquito nets, and supplemental nutrition will be able to reach those most in need like children and pregnant women. Transporting supplies into this area is very challenging during times of heavy flooding.
• Give thanks to God for the strong community support system in place that has helped residents cope with the excessive flooding.
A report from alertnet.org

United States
• Give thanks to God for the upcoming forum on civility, community, and concern sponsored by the Midland Association of Churches. Pray that God will provide the leaders of this fall forum with discernment and guidance as they plan this event.

Faces of Children
• Give God thanks and praise for the new Faces of Children prayer partners in Zambia.
• 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.