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 09/24/14
Pakistan, India
Kashmir, a disputed territory administered by India, Pakistan and China, recently experienced some of the heaviest rains in the region in over 50 years. More than 500 people have been killed in the resulting flash floods and landslides on both sides of this disputed Himalayan territory. Over three million people have been affected by this extensive flooding. Thousands of villages have been submerged by floodwaters, trapping people on rooftops for days. Displaced families struggle to find fuel, food, and medicines.
• Please keep the children, youth, and adults of the Kashmir region close in prayer as they deal with the deadly flooding and landslides. Pray for those who’ve been uprooted from their homes and communities and for those who have lost everything.
• Pray God will comfort those who’ve lost loved ones in this disaster. Pray for children who have been injured by flash floods or landslides.
• Please pray for peace and reconciliation in this disputed region. Pray authorities in both Indian and Pakistan territories will serve their people with wisdom and fairness during this difficult season.
Syria, Iraq
The three-year-long civil war in Syria continues to endanger and disrupt the lives of children, not only in that country, but also in Iraq and other neighboring countries. Human rights groups have accused the Syrian army of committing atrocities against its population including the use of chemical agents, barrel bombs on civilian neighborhoods, and the torture and sexual abuse of prisoners. Rebels fighting the Syrian government have also been accused of recruiting children to fight, act as snipers, man checkpoints, treat the wounded on battlefields, haul supplies to the front lines, and carry out car bombings or suicide attacks.
Militants with Islamic State (IS), formerly the Islamic State of Iraq and Syria (ISIS), have taken advantage of the chaos to expand their territory in Syria. This brutal offshoot of al-Qaeda has taken control of large portions of Iraq and eastern Syria in a violent campaign to restore an Islamic state in the area. They’ve been accused of mass atrocities in Syria: recruiting children as fighters and suicide bombers, holding public executions, carrying out beheadings, crucifixions, mass killings, amputations, and whippings. Islamic State militants are accused of intentionally using savagery as a tool to divide the population, to pit Shi’ite and Sunni Muslims against one another, and restore an Islamic caliphate based on strict, medieval Sunni Muslim precepts.
• more on this issue (WARNING: Disturbing Content)
• Please continue in prayer for children and families affected by the fighting in Syria and Iraq. Pray for those affected by Islamic State’s extremely savage form of violence.
• Pray for children who’ve been recruited by the Syrian government, opposition forces, and those recruited by IS. Please pray for their safe release and healing from the trauma of violence.
• Pray for those who have been displaced from their villages because of the conflict in Syria and Iraq.
• Pray for Iraq and Syria’s leaders during this challenging season. Pray they will seek God’s guidance in all of their decisions concerning the people in their respective countries.
• Pray for peace in this region. Pray for a change of heart in those who kill and destroy to fulfill their warped goals. Pray for those who kill and destroy in the name of their religion.
United States
Thomas* was on the Faces of Children prayer list multiple times starting in 2010 after he accidentally shot a friend in the abdomen. After that accident, Thomas seemed to spiral downwards, making poor choices in life and in friends. He now has a new girlfriend, a university nursing student, who seems to have a very positive influence on him.
* (name changed for confidentiality and/or protection)
• Give thanks to God that Thomas, now 19 years old, is doing well following some very challenging years. Thanks be to God he has grown and matured and that his life choices have also improved.
Faces of Children
• Please keep Faces of Children intercessor Sue Stroman in prayer as she undergoes treatment for a cyst on her spine. Pray her doctors will be able to correctly diagnose what’s causing a disconnect between the nerves in Sue’s spine and calf muscles that causes great pain when she walks. Pray for God’s healing touch upon Sue in this time of uncertainty and discomfort.
• 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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