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 2/15/12

KENYA ( Naomi's Village ) - Please pray that God will surround the Naomi's Village children, staff, facilities, and campus with a hedge of protection from those who threaten to use witchcraft against them.
• Pray for the people who have made these threats ... that God will open their eyes and hearts to the truth of Jesus Christ's saving love and grace.
• Give thanks that the founders of this ministry and orphanage are not afraid...that they choose to fully trust in God's love and providence.
Naomi's Village website

SOMALIA - Pray for the girls and women of Somalia who are being preyed upon by Shabab Islamist militants, government soldiers, or other armed men during this time of conflict and chaos.
A report from the New York Times
• Pray for girls and women who have been captured as spoils of war, gang raped, sexually abused, or forced into sexual slavery through temporary "arranged marriages." Pray for women and girls who are used as payment in order for groups of refugees to be able to pass through armed roadblocks.
• Pray for girls who have suffered physical and psychological damage. Pray for women and girls who are rejected by their communities because they have been sexually assaulted and are considered at fault and now "spoiled."
• Please keep these vulnerable females held close in prayer - thousands have been displaced by famine and war, only to end up in overcrowded, dangerous refugee camps and at risk for sexual assaults.
• Please pray for an end to this gender-based violence. Pray for justice and healing for those affected by it.

SYRIA - Keep the children of Syria held close in prayer during this season of violence and political unrest. Pray for those who have been affected by the government crackdown on civilian protests. Of the 5,400 people killed in the uprising against the current regime, at least 384 have been children.
• Pray for the families of those who have died in the violence. And pray for children who have been detained in jail by the government. Please pray for a peaceful end to this crisis.
A report from msnbc.com News Services

UNITED STATES - Please keep in prayer Robert*, his wife Diane*, and their 17-year-old daughter Jessica* and 13-year-old son Luke* as they experience significant family difficulties. Pray that God will bring healing and peace to this young family in crisis.
• Also keep close in prayer another struggling family. Pray God will provide the resources and strength Natalie* and Roy* and their daughters, 15-year-old Amy* and 9-month-old Susannah* need to help them deal with a vindictive, vengeful family member. Pray that the peace that surpasses all understanding will guard their hearts during this stressful time.
• Please pray that God's healing touch will be upon Embree, a little girl who has been diagnosed with leukemia. Pray for Embree's caregivers as they make decisions about her medical treatment and tend to her physical and emotional needs during this frightening time.
• Pray for 8-year-old Camryn who is struggling with schoolwork and loneliness in her new elementary school. Pray her parents and teachers can work well together to identify and address the learning challenges with which Camryn seems to be struggling. Pray that Camryn will forge close, healthy friendships in this new environment. Please pray that God will bring comfort to this sweet, little girl who is feeling sad and defeated.
• Give thanks to God for a new program in Midland, Texas that offers prenatal education and parenting classes to expectant women in the community. Pray for the organizers, staff, and volunteers with the Hope Chest project as they reach out to young mothers and provide them with the resources they may need to have a healthy pregnancy and deliver a healthy baby.
A report from the Midland Reporter-Telegram

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.

* Name changed for confidentiality and/or protection.

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