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 07/10/14
North Korea
Nine orphans fled North Korea to escape starvation and illness. All were malnourished and sickly and had lived on the streets scavenging for food. One by one, they crossed into China where they received help from a South Korean couple living there. The couple kept the nine in their home for between five months and three years before helping them escape to Laos. After arriving in Laos, the orphans were taken into custody by Laotian authorities who accused the South Korean couple of trafficking the teens and young adults. The nine were forcibly repatriated back to North Korea in May 2013 then exploited for propaganda purposes. Daily NK reports the orphans were sent back to their home provinces after going through an intense investigation and propaganda training in Pyongyang. The orphans, ranging in age from 15 to 23, are now under special surveillance in their home counties and have been given papers so they may work or go to school.
• Please continue to pray for these teenagers and young people and give God thanks they weren’t executed or forced into “re-education camps.” Pray for their safety and emotional well-being. Pray they will know the comfort and peace of the Holy Spirit during this difficult season in their lives.
• Pray the faith these nine orphans began to develop while living with the couple in China will sustain them. Pray for girls: 15-year-old Noh Ae-Ji and 16-year-old Chang Guk-Hwa; and boys: 16-year-old Ryu Cheol-Ryong, 18-year-old Park Gwang-Hyuk, 18-year-old Lee Gwang-Hyuk, 19-year-old Ryu Gwang-Hyuk, 20-year-old Baek Young-Won, 20-year-old Jung Gwang-Young, and 23-year-old Moon Cheol.
• Pray for children and youth who struggle to survive in North Korea and dream of escaping this harsh regime. Pray for the safety of those who attempt to escape.
• Please pray for the protection of aid workers, Christian missionaries, pastors, and church congregations who help smuggle people out of North Korea through China and Southeast Asia. Give thanks to God for their courage and faith in the face of great danger.
India, Nepal
Seven-year-old Prashant Magar is from Jaigaon, a small town in India’s West Bengal state near the Bhutan border. He is blind in both eyes and was abandoned by his family. His parents are divorced and his father is an alcoholic. Last February, a pastor with the Treasure Commission in India made arrangements for Prashant to attend a school for the blind in Kalimpong. Prashant couldn’t afford the school tuition or housing costs.
• Please hold Prashant close in prayer as he struggles to find his way in this difficult season. Pray God will provide the resources Prashant needs to attend school and live in Kalimpong. Pray Prashant will feel God’s love through a strong community of support during this trying time.
• Give thanks to God for Pastor Bijay Darjee and his care and concern for Prashant. Pray for all of the pastors and missionaries with the Treasure Commission as they spread the Good News of Jesus Christ in India and Nepal.
United States
Seventeen-year-old Taylor * was diagnosed with a serious mental illness last year and spent several months in a wilderness therapy program before being transferred to a residential treatment facility. She has made great strides in learning to cope with this complex illness, but continues to struggle with anxiety and anger. Taylor’s siblings, 19-year-old Ernest* and 13-year-old Melissa*, have been deeply affected by their sister’s mental illness. Melissa is now exhibiting signs of depression. Taylor’s parents have been working hard in therapy to learn how best to help her and their whole family. Not only has Taylor’s mental illness put a strain on the emotional and physical wel-lbeing of her family, it’s also been a huge financial burden. * name changed for confidentiality
• Thanks be to God for the progress Taylor has made in her therapy program this past year. Please keep her in prayer as she continues this difficult journey and pray God will bring complete healing to her.
• Pray for Taylor’s parents and siblings as they learn to cope with her complex mental illness. Pray God will bring healing to Melissa, as well. Pray for healing in the relationships between Taylor and her family .
Faces of Children
• Please continue to keep Lindy, the sister of Faces of Children prayer partner Bridget Hyde, close in prayer as she continues treatment for cancer. Pray God will bring her comfort and peace during this difficult season.
• Give God thanks for the successful surgery Ben, the husband of Faces of Children intercessor Lynn Catalina, recently experienced to remove a cancerous gland. Please pray for his complete healing and recovery.
• 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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