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 4/8/12

AFGHANISTAN - Pray for the protection and safety of the “dancing boys,” bacha bazi, of Afghanistan—boys who are often dressed up as women to dance at gatherings and who are sexually abused by Afghan men. Pray for boys who are coerced into a life of sexual abuse because of their vulnerability due to poverty and/or a lack of a father in the home.
• Pray for bacha bazi who are treated as property. Pray for those who are sold for tens of thousands of dollars because they are perceived as very beautiful. Pray for boys who are rented out as dancers at male-only parties. And pray for those who are prostituted by their adult male “owners.”
• Pray for boys who are tossed aside because they have outgrown their “desirability” as their bodies have matured. Many become pimps or prostitutes while some turn to drugs or alcohol.
• Pray that this form of sexual exploitation, which seems to be on the rise throughout Afghanistan, will cease. Pray the country’s laws will be used to protect all children from sexual abuse. If bacha bazi report sexual abuse to police, they are arrested and imprisoned instead of protected…they become outcasts of society.
• Please pray that the issue of bacha bazi, which is unspoken and very sensitive in Afghanistan, will be recognized as child abuse and not tolerated. Pray for a change of heart in those who commit this abuse—that they will understand the harm they inflict.
A report from the Washington Post

BURMA/MYANMAR - Give thanks to God for the work of Free Burma Rangers’ multi-ethnic relief teams in northwestern Karen State in Burma. Last month, relief teams led programs for more than 1,200 children and treated 922 medical patients at six IDP (internally displaced people) sites for people from 29 villages. Pray for the children and people from these villages who have been forced to relocate to these sites by the Burma Army.
• Pray for children in the relocation sites who have limited educational opportunities because they are working to help their families. Pray for those who have finished the highest level of school their village has to offer but cannot afford to attend boarding school in the larger cities or refugee camps. Please pray for the teachers in these schools who have few supplies available to help them teach students.
• Please keep in prayer the children and people who live in areas of Karen State that are under the control of the Burma Army. Pray for those who are subjected to forced labor, arbitrary taxation, and are frequently imprisoned, tortured, and killed by Burma Army soldiers.
A report from the Free Burma Rangers

THAILAND - KContinue to keep the leaders, staff, and volunteers of the Garden of Hope’s children’s ministry project Taw Saeng held close in prayer as they work with at-risk hill tribe children and their parents in a bar/massage parlor district near Chiang Mai’s night bazaar.
• Pray for children who come to Taw Saeng (Thai for “to shine”) and give thanks that they receive a nutritious meal each day, help with homework, English language instruction, music and art therapy, and get to go on special outings periodically. Pray for those who have suffered abuse and give thanks to God that they are able to receive help and support through Taw Saeng.
A report from tawsaeng.org

UNITED STATES - Pray for the safety and wellbeing of children who are neglected or abused. Pray for volunteers and social workers who advocate for and work with abused children.

• Give thanks to God for this month’s statewide campaign designed to raise awareness about preventing child abuse in Texas. Pray for a heightened awareness of this issue throughout the country in order to stop child abuse and neglect before it happens.
Child Abuse Prevention Month - Activities Calendat

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.
• Pray for God’s healing touch to be upon James, the husband of Faces of Children founder Margaret Purvis. Please pray for an accurate diagnosis and effective treatment for this gentle man who is experiencing serious health issues. Pray that God will comfort Margaret and their family as they help care for James during this stressful time.
• Please pray for Cliff, the husband of another Faces of Children intercessor, as he goes through testing to determine the cause of his health problem. Pray for a clear diagnosis and successful treatment. Please keep Joyce held close in prayer, too, as she takes care of her husband.

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