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 12/08/10

Benin
• Please pray for the estimated 1.5-million children and people who have been affected by devastating floods in Benin and across West Africa. Two-thirds of Benin was affected by the flooding caused by heavy rains. Pray for those whose homes were destroyed by the floods and who are now crowded into tent camps.
• Pray for children who are sick from water borne diseases. Pray that hygiene kits, water tanks, safe drinking water, water purification tablets, soap, mosquito nets, and tents will reach all of those in need, particularly vulnerable children.
A report from the New York Times

Dominican Republic, Haiti
• Pray for vulnerable Haitian girls who are in the Dominican Republic trying to earn money for their relatives back home in earthquake ravaged areas of Haiti.
• Pray for those who turn to prostitution because they have no other way to earn a living. Pray for girls who were orphaned in the earthquake and now prostitute themselves in the Dominican Republic. Pray that God will provide dignified work for these girls and young women and protect them from the dangers of selling their bodies in the tourist areas of the Dominican Republic.
• Pray for the men who take advantage of these girls … that they might understand the pain and abuse they inflict on these children. Pray that local law enforcement will uphold the laws and punish the traffickers who bring the girls over from Haiti.
A report from heraldnet.com

Haiti
• Continue to keep the children of Haiti held close in prayer as the worst of the cholera epidemic may still be on the horizon. UN health officials estimate that 270,000 people may be sickened in the coming years. Pray for the quick and thorough distribution of hygiene supplies and clean water. Pray for sufficient medical facilities around the country to deal with the large number of children and people who have contracted the water borne disease.
A report from the New York Times

Mexico
• Please pray for the children and people of Mexico who are affected by drug wars that have killed thousands of people. Pray for Mexico’s children who have been and continue to be exposed to unimaginable violence on a daily basis. Pray for peace and justice for the children and people of this struggling country.
• Pray for the children of Juarez, one of the largest communities on the Texas-Mexico border, who have endured almost three years of drug cartel warfare: killings, extortions, kidnappings, car bombings, decapitations, and carjackings. More than 6,000 people have been killed in Juarez alone since 2008—those numbers include families and children. Pray for children who live in fear every single moment of the day and night because of this violence.
• Please pray for the poor in Juarez who often lack the resources to escape the violence there. Pray for those who have lost employment because businesses have closed or been burned out. Pray for young people of Juarez who don’t attend school and work for the drug cartels. Pray for hope and a future of peace for these youth.
A report from the Washington Post

United States
• Give thanks to God that 4-month-old Jillian has recovered so well from the first of many surgeries to repair holes in her heart and a neural tube defect. Please continue to keep this baby girl in prayer as she struggles to gain weight. Pray that God will strengthen her little body and that she will grow and thrive. And continue to keep Jillian’s parents in prayer as they make decisions regarding her health.

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.