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).

"Prayer and Acceptance" (continued)

"The wisdom of the world is the wisdom that says:

'It is best to stand firm, to get a good grip on what's yours here and now, and to hold your own against the rest who want to take it away from you; you've got to be on your guard against ambush. If you don't carry a weapon, if you don't make a fist, and if you don't scramble to get what you need-food and shelter-then you're just asking to be threadbare and destitute, and you'll end up trying to find a mediocre satisfaction in a generosity which no one appreciates. You open your hands and they pound in nails! Smart people keep on their toes, with muscles tense and fists clenched; they squint and are always ready for an unexpected attack.'

That's how a person's inner life often appears. If you nurture thoughts of peace, you have to be open and receiving. But can you do it, do you dare? Suspicion, jealousy, hate, revenge, resentment, and greed are there before you've even given them names.

'What are they really trying to do?' 'What's actually on their minds?' 'They must not be laying all their cards on the table.' 'There's certainly more to that remark than meets the eye.'

Often such feelings arise even before thoughts can be formulated. Something deep inside you has already tightened up:

'Watch out, plan your tactics, and hold your weapons in readiness.'

And so thoughts of peace remain far away. You fear they are too dangerous or impractical. You think:

'Those who don't arm themselves share the guilt for their own fall.'

How can you expect a gift in such a mood? Can you even imagine that your life could be any other way? No wonder praying presents such a problem, for it requires a constant readiness to lay down your weapons and let go of feelings which tell you to keep a safe distance. It requires you to live in the constant expectation that God, who makes everything new, will cause you to be born again."
With Open Hands, by Henri J.M. Nouwenn

A message from Chris Laufer, Coordinator, Faces of Children

Greetings, Faces of Children Prayer Partner,

This reflection is a continuation of last week's devotion from the chapter "Prayer and Acceptance" from Henri Nouwen's book With Open Hands. I will be sharing portions of the rest of this chapter with you for several more weeks and hope they will bless you as they have me.

This particular passage challenges me to let go of the instinctive, intuitive thoughts that immediately surface when I'm feeling threatened, insecure, vulnerable, or angry. It challenges me to dismantle the wall I've constructed around myself to protect me from what I perceive is harmful. Nouwen's words urge me to do the counter-intuitive-to think and act in ways that are contrary to what my primal first response would be. His words encourage me to nurture those thoughts of peace; to lay my weapons down; to disregard the safe distance; and most of all, to open my hands and my heart with joyous anticipation of the gift God promises ...

"The steadfast love of the Lord never ceases, God's mercies never come to an end;they are new every morning; great is your faithfulness."
Lamentations 3:22-23 (English Standard Version)

The Midland Faces of Children prayer group will meet on Wednesday, July 13, 2011 at 11:30 a.m. in the Bride's room at First Presbyterian Church-Midland to pray for children. I hope you will be able to join us. Lunch ($5) and a time of fellowship will follow.

If you have 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 me at at claufer@facesofchildren.net, or give me a call.

With grateful thanks for God's unceasing love,

Chris