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 06/12/14
Brazil
The 2014 FIFA World Cup begins this week in 12 host cities across Brazil. Organizations like YWAM (Youth with a Mission) Belo Horizonte have been working hard for months to raise awareness about the potential for increased sexual exploitation, trafficking, and violence against children during the World Cup. Groups that work 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. They are also concerned there may be demonstrations and protests against the government that have the potential to become violent. A large percentage of Brazilians are dissatisfied with their government spending so much money on World Cup stadiums instead of health care and education.
• Please be in prayer for the YWAM Belo Horizonte teams and all the people joining them for awareness-raising and evangelical events during the World Cup. Pray God will protect them and keep them safe as they serve throughout Brazil.
• Thanks be to God so many young people from different churches are enthusiastic about YWAM Belo Horizonte’s work and that more and more continue to join in it. Pray for their safety during these events.
• Please continue to pray for the safety and protection of children at risk of sexual abuse in Brazil, and especially those in the 12 World Cup host cities. Pray the campaigns to raise awareness about this sexual exploitation of children will continue to spread throughout Brazil and create a community alert to the abuse and willing to stop it.
• Continue to 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.
China
One-year-old Albert was born with a very severe gastrointestinal defect and abandoned when he was 3 months old. He was transferred into the care of New Day Foster Home in August 2013. In April 2014, he had a liver transplant but has not completely recovered. Albert’s new liver isn’t functioning the way surgeons had hoped and he may need another liver transplant.
• Please pray for a miracle of healing for Albert. Pray his new liver will function properly and he won’t have to undergo another liver transplant.
• Pray for Albert’s physicians and hospital staff as they care for him. Give thanks to God for the New Day Foster Home nanny that stays with Albert the entire time he is in the hospital. Pray God will sustain Albert’s nanny for this important work and ministry.
Uganda
Seven-year-old Baraka is unable to walk due to a medical condition and must be carried everywhere he goes. His family lives in an upstairs apartment without an elevator, so his mother or father must carry him up and down. Several weeks ago, Baraka’s teacher was carrying him downstairs when she fell. Baraka suffered several broken bones in the fall.
• Please pray Baraka’s injuries will heal correctly and completely. Pray for the teacher who was carrying Baraka. Pray for his parents and brother as they provide care for him. Give God thanks for the blessing of a lightweight, portable stroller for Baraka—the mission team from First Presbyterian Church, Midland, Texas is bringing it with them when they travel to Uganda this month.
Uganda, United States
• Please keep the mission team from First Presbyterian Church, Midland held close in prayer as they travel and serve in Uganda on a mission trip. Pray for the local leaders in Uganda who have helped coordinate this trip and who will continue the follow-up work after the team leaves. Pray for the children and people of Uganda with whom the team will come into contact during their time there.
Faces of Children
• Please keep Margaret close in prayer as this Faces of Children prayer partner recovers from knee surgery. Pray for her complete healing and recovery.
• Give thanks to God for the life of Louise Lang, the mother-in-law of Faces of Children prayer partner Karen Lang. Pray for Louise’s family and friends as they grieve the loss of this faithful servant of Christ.
• 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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