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).

"Hushed Excitement"

My eyes have seen your salvation.
Luke 2:30

"I have read {your book} Treasure on Earth and I don’t believe you have any notion how good it is…I’ve never seen the hushed internal excitement of a child on Christmas Eve better done. That is something we can all recognize."
C.S. Lewis, Lewis’ Collected Letters, III, p. 261

"Christmas is especially for children, whether young children, old children, or very old children. Simeon is an example of the third category. We’ll come back to him later."

"In a letter written to Phyllis Sandeman during Advent, Lewis comments favorably about a book that she had written that year, Treasure on Earth. Subtitled A Country House Christmas, it tells of the approach of Christmas Day in an Elizabethan mansion in northern England in 1906. An excited child, the 10-year-old author herself, awaits Christmas morning, the gifts and all the festivities that would come with the day."

"There was not long to wait now before the drama would begin—the curtain was trembling to its rise. The twilight of the early winter morning, the piercing sweetness of the voices rising in the still air, the tune and the words she loved so well, ‘Christians, awake, salute the happy morn!’ Then heaven would open."

"Simeon had been waiting for the Savior for a long time. God had told him that he would see the Christ, the promised Messiah, before he died. When the moment arrived, Simeon took Jesus in his arms and praised God, probably with a ‘hushed internal excitement.’ His eyes were full of anticipation, as he saw the salvation of Israel in his arms. He amazed Mary and Joseph by predicting the future of this child. We, who know him, know that these predictions came true."

"Lord Jesus, give us a hushed excitement at your coming, at your presence, and make it truly internal."
A Grand Miracle: Devotions for the Days of Advent based on thoughts of
C.S. Lewis by Dr. Joel Heck

A message from Chris Laufer, Coordinator, Faces of Children

Greetings, Faces of Children Prayer Partner,

The Midland Faces of Children prayer group will meet Wednesday, December 22, 2010 at 11:30 a.m. in the Bride’s room at First Presbyterian Church, Midland to pray for the children. Please join us for this time of prayer. We will not have lunch that day as the church kitchen will be closed.

If you have prayer concerns or celebrations about children at risk, those who care for them, have authority over them, or, yes, even those who harm them, please send them to me at at claufer@facesofchildren.net, or give me a call. Thank you for your prayers for the children of our community and world.

Advent blessings,
Chris