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).

Abuse

The House of Secrets by Gloria Masterson Richardson

"“Like a vise the heavy roof grips the tall house and squeezes out its light and life. Stone eyebrows over narrow windows and airless rooms frown at passersby. Lies slide into shadowed corners of high-ceiling rooms. Dusty cobwebs trap secrets next to dead flies and moths. In the dark, nightmares wake the children, monsters advancing through black corridors and locked doors into their rooms.

The children go forth each morning, concealing bruises, hiding terror behind smiling mouths and cold eyes. In the dusk of late afternoon the children return and hide in their rooms, cowering under beds, in the closets. They shiver in shame remembering their sins — a bike left in the driveway, crumbs on the floor. Then, the father’s long arm snatching, shaking, before they sit down to dinner and he asks the blessing.”

Women’s Uncommon Prayers; Our Lives Revealed, Nurtured, Celebrated
edited by Elizabeth Rankin Geitz, Marjorie A. Burke, Tracy J. Sukraw

A message from Chris Laufer, Coordinator, Faces of Children

Greetings, Faces of Children Intercessor,

As I read through the pages of Women’s Uncommon Prayers, my breath was taken away by this prayer/poem above. It reminded me of something my church prayer group prays for the children and people in and around our church… for those in our congregation, in the neighborhood, in the elementary school down the block, and in the church next to ours.

It reminded me of prayers lifted for neighborhood and church children …who live in homes filled with violence, neglect, anger, hopelessness, pain …who come home to an empty house after school …who struggle with school work or homework …who have little or nothing to eat at home …who watch their parents or caregivers self destruct … who don’t believe they are worth being loved …who don’t know how much God loves them.

Aside from God, who really knows what happens behind the closed doors and curtained windows of neighborhood homes? Sometimes the abuse comes to light, and when it does, we see that abuse of children isn’t limited to specific socioeconomic, racial, cultural, or religious groups. It crosses all boundaries. Its scope and magnitude is overwhelming.

When we lift the children of our churches, neighborhoods, and communities before God in prayer, we acknowledge our trust in God to take care of each child in God’s way and in God’s time. When we open our eyes and our hearts to the children of our churches, neighborhoods, and communities, we may see things that are very hard to see. However, when we surrender these painful things in prayer to God, the Holy Spirit will give us the courage, wisdom, and guidance to do the next right thing. But only if we look and see and ask

The Faces of Children prayer group will meet on Wednesday, July 11, 2012, at 11:30 a.m. in the Bride's room at First Presbyterian Church-Midland, to lift in prayer the children of our local and global communities. Lunch ($5) and a time of fellowship will follow.

If you have prayer concerns or celebrations 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.

Grace and peace,

Chris