Invitation to Prayer: TOMORROW

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).

He is Risen!

“Easter morning. A very simple, quiet Eucharist around the table in Madame Vanier’s dining room….A small group of friends happy to be together. We spoke together about the resurrection. Liz, who works with many anguished people, said, ‘We have to keep rolling away the large stones that prevent people from coming out of their graves.’ Elizabeth, who lives with four handicapped people…said, ‘After the resurrection, Jesus had breakfast again with his friends and showed them the importance of the small, ordinary things of life.’ Sue…said, ‘It is such a comfort to know that Jesus’ wounds remain visible in his risen body. Our wounds are not taken away, but become sources of hope to others.’”

The Road to Daybreak: A Spiritual Journey by Henri J. M. Nouwen
So what do we do? Keep on sinning so God can keep on forgiving? I should hope not! If we’ve left the country where sin is sovereign, how can we still live in our old house there? Or didn’t you realize we packed up and left there for good? That is what happened in baptism. When we went under the water, we left the old country of sin behind; when we came up out of the water, we entered into the new country of grace—a new life in a new land!

That’s what baptism into the life of Jesus means. When we are lowered into the water, it is like the burial of Jesus; when we are raised up out of the water, it is like the resurrection of Jesus. Each of us is raised into a light-filled world by our Creator so that we can see where we’re going in our new grace-sovereign country.

Could it be any clearer? Our old way of life was nailed to the cross with Christ, a decisive end to that sin-miserable life—no longer at sin’s every beck and call! What we believe is this: If we get included in Christ’s sin-conquering death, we also get included in his life-saving resurrection. We know that when Jesus was raised from the dead it was a signal of the end of death-as-the-end. Never again will death have the last word. When Jesus died, he took sin down with him, but alive he brings God down to us. From now on, think of it this way: Sin speaks a dead language that means nothing to you; God speaks your mother tongue, and you hang on every word. You are dead to sin and alive to God. That’s what Jesus did.

The Message by Eugene Peterson

““God of never-failing light, you who created the bright lights of the sky, you who have no hint of darkness, grant that your flame of hope will renew my intention to serve you and to inflame and purify my actions with your love and mercy. Amen.”

Lent and Easter Wisdom by Henri J. M. Nouwen

A message from Chris Laufer, Coordinator, Faces of Children

Greetings, Faces of Children Intercessor,

The Midland Faces of Children prayer group will meet in this new conference room First Presbyterian Church-Midland on Wednesday, April 23, 2014 at 11:30 a.m. You can park in the Texas or Illinois street lots next to the Family Life Center and just head toward the gym. This new meeting space is at the back of the gym. After our time of prayer, we’ll have lunch ($5) and fellowship.

Your prayers for the children of our world are powerful, love-fueled instruments God uses in God’s work of bringing light into the lives of hurting children. Thank you for so faithfully praying for them!

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.

Blessings,

Chris