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 4/20/11
BURMA/MYANMAR ( Partners Relief and Development ) - Give thanks to God for the work of the staff and volunteers with Partners Relief and Development as they help the ethnic hill tribe children and people of Burma. Partners' local staff was able to distribute drinking water, food, and tarps the day after a 6.8 magnitude earthquake hit Shan State in Burma. Pray that God will continue to provide for all those affected by this quake. A report from Partners Relief & Development
• Please pray for children and people in the Karen State in eastern Burma who suffer from severe food shortages due to failed crops. Pray for those who are not allowed to cultivate better land because they are surrounded by the Burma Army. Thanks be to God for Partners' work with these persecuted people.
ECUADOR - Give God praise for the work of volunteers with Medical Mission Ecuador program in treating 600 children and performing more than 150 surgeries. Many of the ailments treated are genetic defects or preventable birth defects. Thanks be to God that so many children were able to receive treatment for cleft palate, clubfoot, and cerebral palsy due to birth injury. A report from infoforum.com
IVORY COAST, LIBERIA - Please keep the children and people of Ivory Coast held close in prayer during this season of political unrest and violence. Pray for those who live in fear as this country slides closer and closer to civil war.
• Pray for the nearly one million people displaced by the fighting between followers of the incumbent president and those of the winner of the recent presidential election. Pray for the estimated 110,000 people who have escaped the violence and sought refuge in Liberia. A report from alertnet.org A report from the New York Times
• Pray that God will provide the resources needed to care for these displaced people and for those who have seen their livelihoods disappear because of the fighting. Ivory Coast is the world's largest producer of cocoa and exports have stopped due to European Union sanctions. A report from alertnet.org
KAZAKHSTAN, UNITED STATES - Give praise to God for answering prayers about 2-year-old "Tia" (name changed for confidentiality and/or protection), a little girl born with facial deformities. The judge in Kazakhstan made an immediate decision in the case and allowed Cindy, a single mother of four internationally adopted children, to adopt Tia. Because of Tia's severe facial deformities, the judge in this case made an exception to the current no adoption rule in Kazakhstan.
• Please continue to keep Tia and her new mother in prayer as Cindy won't be able to take Tia to the United States for several more weeks. Pray for traveling mercies for Cindy and Tia in the coming weeks. Pray for Cindy's four children in the U.S. who are ready for their mother and new sister to come home. Pray for their grandmother who has been caring for these children in Cindy's absence.
UNITED STATES - Give thanks to God for answering prayers about 3-month-old Lexi, a premature baby born with a multitude of physical challenges due to maternal drug use. Thanks be to God that Lexi doesn't have to have surgery to implant a permanent feeding tube in her stomach and can now feed on her own! Praise be to God that she has gained weight and was allowed to go home with her aunt and uncle who have custody of her now. Please pray that God will continue to wrap arms of healing tenderness around this beautiful baby girl. Pray that God will provide her aunt, uncle, and grandparents with the stamina to care for Lexi and the resources with which to do so.
• Pray that God will bring comfort and peace into 13-year-old Colton's life as he goes to live with his grandparents.
• Give thanks to God for the safe delivery of "Jennifer's" (name changed for confidentiality and/or protection) baby boy, Brandon, early last week. Please keep this young mother and her children held close in prayer as they start another chapter in their lives.
• Pray for Mai, her children, and her husband during this very difficult time in their lives. Mai fell down recently and suffered severe brain damage. She has been in a coma since the fall. Please pray that God will bring healing and peace to this young mother and wife. Pray that God will comfort Mai's 3-year-old daughter and 18-month-old son who must miss their mother very much. Pray that Mai's husband will feel the love and support flowing from his family, friends, church family, and community.
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.
• If you have prayer requests about children, those who care for them, those who have authority over them, or those who harm them (the really hard prayers to say sometimes), please send them to Chris Laufer, FOC Coordinator, at claufer@facesofchildren.net
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