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 05/08/14
Burma
Several years ago, Nancy * formed a children’s home in Burma called Hallelujah Orphanage. She and her family care for 11 abused, neglected, or orphaned children in their home. They provide a loving environment that is safe and stable for these very vulnerable children. The children who live at Hallelujah Orphanage are able to pursue an education and experience daily the abundant love of Jesus Christ.
* Name changed for confidentiality and/or protection.
• Please pray God will provide the resources Nancy and her family need to continue helping these children. Pray God will also bring healing to Nancy as she suffers from frequent, severe headaches.
• Give thanks to God the children have done so well on their year-end exams. Please pray for God’s comfort for the one girl who did not pass her final exam and will have to stay in the same class next year.
• Pray God will bring rain to their province soon so they might be able to work their land and tend the crops.
Ecuador, Guatemala, Honduras, El Salvador, Mexico, United States
The number of unaccompanied migrant children entering the United States has increased drastically in the last three years. A total of 38,833 minors traveling without families were detained in the U.S. last year alone—more than half of them apprehended along the southeastern edge of Texas. Three-quarters of the detained youths are male; however, more girls and children, some as young as 5 or 6, are crossing into the U.S. now. Immigration advocates believe the majority of youth and children are fleeing violence in their home countries in Central America. They say drug cartel and gang violence in Guatemala, Honduras, and El Salvador are driving out many of these young people and children. Apprehended children and young people tell disturbing stories of abuse and hardship during their trips north. Many have been attacked, robbed, chased, sexually assaulted, or kidnapped and trafficked by drug cartels; struggled with hunger, thirst, illness, and exposure to extreme heat or cold; or witnessed brutal and traumatizing events.
• Please keep in prayer unaccompanied children who are migrating or have migrated to the U.S. Pray for those who have experienced violence at home, only to go through it again during their journey north. Pray for children who have been apprehended and are now in shelters and in the custody of the Office of Refugee Resettlement in the U.S. Please pray for those who are frightened and feeling alone.
• Pray for parents who make tough life and death decisions about their children…whether to keep their children home where they’re vulnerable to extreme violence from drug cartels and gangs or send them north on a treacherous journey.
• Please pray for the family and friends of 12-year-old Noemi Alvarez Quillay who is reported to have committed suicide while being held in a Mexican shelter for children. Noemi’s parents hired coyotes, human smugglers, to bring their daughter from Ecuador to New York last February, but she was apprehended at the Mexico/Texas border a month later. Pray for Noemi’s grandparents who raised her and four other grandchildren when their adult children migrated to the U.S. without visas.
United States
• Please keep 2-year-old Jake close in prayer as he receives treatment for leukemia. Pray God’s healing touch will be upon this little one. Pray for his parents as they make important decisions about Jake’s medical care.
Last summer, sixth-grader Shianne Stull was diagnosed with hypertrophic cardiomyopathy, a congenital heart condition with which she was born. Shianne’s thick heart muscle is stiff, making it difficult for the heart to relax and blood to fill the chambers. She has gone through three surgeries, but the only cure is a heart transplant. Shianne’s condition must worsen before she can be placed on a transplant list. She tires easily and cannot participate in any sports activities at school.
• Please keep Shianne close in prayer as she goes through this challenging season in her young life. Pray God will sustain and encourage her, especially in those times when she is feeling anxiety and fear.
• Pray for her parents as they navigate the medical system and make decisions about her care and treatment. Pray God will also comfort them when they are frightened for their daughter but don’t want her to see their fear.
• Give thanks to God for the strong support system surrounding Shianne and her family
Faces of Children
• Please keep in prayer Louise, the mother-in-law of Faces of Children prayer partner Karen, as she faces a long recovery period following surgery. Pray Louise’s pain will subside and God will bless her with complete healing. Pray for Louise’s family as they help care for her during this difficult season
• 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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