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

CHINA (New Day Foster Home, http://www.newdaycreations.com/foster/ ) - Give thanks to God for the work of the staff, volunteers, and supporters of New Day Foster Home in providing a loving home for orphans with special needs. Pray God will give the staff and volunteers the strength and energy to care for babies and children with acute medical conditions.
• Thanks be to God that 1-year-old Maya continues to improve following surgery to treat a Wilms’ tumor, a rare kidney cancer that primarily affects children.
• Give thanks to God that Maya is at New Day Foster Home where she receives love and care from the nurturing staff at the foster home. This sweet baby girl was abandoned at the gate of a civil affairs bureau four days after her birth, taken to a local orphanage, and then several months later, moved to New Day Foster Home.
•  Give God thanks for the life of 2-month-old James who died last week. James’ fragile body wasn’t able to recover from the difficult surgery he had recently to repair his heart and the lung infection he developed from being on a ventilator so long.
• Pray for the staff and volunteers at New Day Foster Home and the hospital staff and surgeons who so lovingly cared for this little one who was abandoned at the foot of a mountain on the day he was born.

CAMBODIA - Give God thanks for the Colombian government’s reintegration program for former child soldiers. Pray more former fighters are able to complete their education and find jobs that pay a living wage. Pray for former child soldiers who are now parents. Pray for those who struggle to raise their children by working low paying jobs. Pray for the safety and security of these fragile families.
 • Keep in prayer those who have escaped from illegal rebel or paramilitary groups as they attempt to fit back into society. Pray for former fighters who struggle to find jobs in a country with unemployment at 11 percent and for those who are tempted to join criminal gangs because they can make more money. Pray for ex-fighters who are ostracized by society because of their previous involvement with rebel groups.
• Keep in prayer those who have escaped from illegal rebel or paramilitary groups as they attempt to fit back into society. Pray for former fighters who struggle to find jobs in a country with unemployment at 11 percent and for those who are tempted to join criminal gangs because they can make more money. Pray for ex-fighters who are ostracized by society because of their previous involvement with rebel groups.
 • Please pray for the thousands of children who have been forcibly recruited into Columbia’s paramilitary or rebel groups over the past five decades. Pray for those who joined the country’s illegal armed groups to escape grinding poverty or abusive home lives. Pray for children who are trained to use assault rifles and grenades and make explosives.
A report from the alertnet.org

KENYA ( Namoi's Village, http://naomisvillage.com/ ) -  Keep 3-week-old Hannah held close in prayer as she adjusts to life at Naomi’s Village. Give thanks to God that she was placed in this loving environment. Pray this four pound baby girl will grow and thrive at Naomi’s Village. Pray for the women who care for Hannah and the other four babies at this orphanage. Pray God will provide them with the energy and stamina to care for these little ones.

UNITED STATES - Please pray for all children returning to school soon. Pray for those who are attending school for the first time, for those going to a new school, and for those moving from private schools into public ones. Pray for Raymond, John, Julia, Alyssa, Camryn, and Grady as they transition into new situations. Pray for teachers, administrators, and school personnel who are also returning to school.

•   Pray for children who have few if any friends at school. Pray they will find a group of supportive and caring friends. Pray that a culture of hospitality, acceptance, and welcome will prevail at all schools.

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.
• Please keep Ashley, the daughter of a Faces of Children prayer partner, close in prayer as she has been diagnosed with the West Nile virus. Pray for her quick and complete recovery and that her newborn son Landis won’t contract the virus (in a few rare cases, it has been transferred through breast milk).
• Pray for healing for 4-year-old Anna, the niece of a Faces of Children intercessor, who recently had surgery to correct her club foot. Pray God will comfort Anna while her leg is in a thigh-high cast for the next six weeks.

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