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 06/19/14
Bosnia, Serbia
The heaviest rains in 120 years caused massive flooding and landslides in both Bosnia and Serbia last month. Authorities say the flooding has created destruction on the scale of Bosnia’s 1992-95 war and may have shifted some of the 120,000 landmines left over from that war. More than a million people in Bosnia have been affected by this disaster and more than 25,000 in Serbia have been affected. Thousands of people in both countries have been displaced by the flooding and more than 50 have lost their lives with that number expected to rise as cleanup efforts continue. Landslides or floods have destroyed thousands of houses, roads, and bridges and as the waters recede, thousands of animal carcasses have been revealed. There is also great concern that drinking water will be contaminated by the large number of dead animals in the water and a toxic mix of chemicals, fuel, and sewage that leaked during flooding.
• Please pray for children affected by this disaster. Pray for those who lost loved ones in the flooding or landslides. Pray for God’s comforting presence for children who have been traumatized and for those who grieve.
• Pray for children and families whose homes were destroyed or made uninhabitable. Pray for those trying to find shelter in the midst of the wreckage and devastation. Pray for families who have lost their livelihoods.
• Pray for children who don’t have access to clean drinking water or uncontaminated food. Pray God will provide for their deepest and most immediate needs.
• Pray for local and national authorities as they discern the best ways to assist those affected by the flooding.
China
One-year-old Reese was born with a severe gastrointestinal defect and abandoned when he was 6 months old. He was transferred into the care of New Day Foster Home last December and in February 2014, he received a new liver in a transplant surgery. The surgery was successful, but Reese developed a lung infection that kept him in the ICU for some time. He was recently released from the hospital after a four-month battle for his life.
• Give thanks to God for answering prayers about Reese. Pray he continues to gain strength as his little body heals.
One-year-old Albert, who was also born with a very severe gastrointestinal defect and abandoned at 3 months old, had a liver transplant in April 2014. He has struggled to recover because the new liver wasn’t functioning properly. Doctors placed a shunt in his new liver several days ago with the hope that Albert won’t need another liver transplant.
• Please continue to pray for Albert as he recovers from this major surgery. Pray the shunt will help his new liver function properly and that he can leave the hospital soon.
United States
Two 12-year-old girls have been accused of trying to kill a third 12-year-old girl in a plot they planned months ahead of time. The girls hoped to win the favor of a fictional Internet character called Slenderman by stabbing their classmate to death. The May 31 attack occurred in a wooded park in southeastern Wisconsin where the two girls took their friend and distracted her with a game of hide-and-seek. They allegedly stabbed the victim 19 times, damaging her liver, pancreas, and stomach. One puncture wound barely missed a major artery near her heart by a millimeter. The victim was able to crawl out of the woods to a road where she was found by a bicyclist. She was released from the hospital following surgery to repair her damaged organs and is continuing recovery at home. Her two classmates have been charged as adults with attempted homicide
• Thanks be to God the victim’s wounds are healing quickly and that her pain has decreased. Pray this 12-year-old’s emotional and psychological wounds will also heal. Give God thanks for her incredibly strong will to survive.
• Pray for the victim’s parents as they care for and walk with her through this challenging season. Please pray Christ’s peace will bring healing to them all.
• Pray for the 12-year-old classmates who allegedly attacked their friend. Pray especially for the one who didn’t express or feel any remorse. Pray both girls will be freed from their dangerous fixation with this online horror character. Pray for their parents as they go through this heartbreaking situation and try to help their daughters.
• Pray for those investigating and prosecuting this attack—that God will give them clarity and wisdom in dealing with the 12-year-old alleged attackers.
• Please pray for children who are influenced by or have unhealthy obsessions with fictional horror characters. Pray parents will monitor their children’s online activities and be aware of their interests, whether healthy or not.
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.
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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