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 05/22/14
Brazil
With the 2014 FIFA World Cup a month away, organizations serving vulnerable children in Brazil are working hard to raise awareness about the potential for increased sexual exploitation and violence against children. Groups working with vulnerable children fear the massive influx of people attending World Cup events will cause the already occurring commercial sexual exploitation of children to skyrocket. Sexual violence is the second most reported crime against children in Brazil with more than 10,000 children and adolescents reported to be victims of sexual abuse in 2011 alone. Most of the victims were between 10 and 14 years old.
• Give God thanks and praise for children’s charity organizations like Plan International that work to protect children and educate the public about child sex tourism during the World Cup. Thanks be to God for the programs Plan International has created to aid at-risk girls, boys, and young people. Pray these programs will help vulnerable children develop their potential and reduce their risk of exploitation.
• Please pray for the safety and protection of children at risk of sexual abuse in Brazil, and especially those in the World Cup host cities. Pray the campaigns to raise awareness about this sexual exploitation of children will spread throughout Brazil and create a community that is alert to the abuse and will work to stop it.
• Please pray for law enforcement officials and government authorities as they work to prevent the abuse of children. Pray the focus will be on the arrest of those who abuse children, from the pimps to the customers.
• And pray for those who prey upon children in order to fulfill their sexual or financial cravings. Pray for justice for children who have been abused by such predators.
Thailand
On Monday, May 5, 2014, a strong earthquake hit northern Thailand near Chiang Rai, a mountainous region popular to foreign tourists. The 6.3 magnitude quake, the strongest in decades, had more than 100 aftershocks and caused multiple injuries and damage to roads, houses, hotels, hospitals, schools, shops, and temples in the area. Faces of Children has provided prayer support throughout the years to the children and staff of the Mae Ka Children’s Home, a home for 150 at-risk, ethnic hill tribe children that is located near the epicenter of this quake.
• Please pray for those affected by this major earthquake. Pray for children whose schools and homes have been destroyed or damaged. Pray for those injured by the quake or its multiple aftershocks. Keep in prayer those who are still displaced from their homes.
• Give God thanks that all the children and staff at the Mae Ka Chan Children’s Home are okay. Pray for children who were frightened by the earthquake and aftershocks. Thanks be to God the children’s housing wasn’t damaged. Pray for the staff at the children’s home as they provide selflessly for so many vulnerable children.
United States
A southern Minnesota teen was arrested earlier this month and charged with planning an attack on a school in his rural community. The 17-year-old had planned to kill his family, set a fire to distract authorities, and then attack a building that houses both the community’s junior and senior high schools. There are more than 900 students that attend these schools. He had also planned to set off bombs during lunch, set fires in the school, shoot students and staff, and then be killed by law enforcement authorities. The 17-year-old had collected bomb-making materials, firearms, and ammunition as well as detailed his intentions in a journal. He idolized one of the Columbine gunmen and referred to that 1999 shooting at Columbine High School in Littleton, Colorado in his journal. .
• Give God grateful thanks this young man was arrested before he could inflict pain and destruction on others. Thanks be to God for the vigilant person who observed the 17-year-old acting suspiciously and called police.
Please keep the students and staff at the schools close in prayer as they deal with the effects of this close call. Pray God will comfort them and their parents/families. Pray the peace of Christ that surpasses all understanding will guard their hearts against anxiety and fear.
• Pray for the 17-year-old young man…that God will bring healing into his brokenness. Pray for his parents and siblings as they deal with the consequences of his actions. Pray for God’s comfort and peace for these family members, as well.
Faces of Children
• Please keep the family of 20-month-old Lilly close in prayer as they mourn her death. Pray for God’s comfort for her parents, brothers, grandparents, and extended family in this season of deep grief and loss.
• 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.
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
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