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 10/01/14
Nigeria, Cameroon, Chad, Niger
Boko Haram continues to terrorize the people of northeast Nigeria with daily raids, murders, and abductions in their campaign to establish an Islamic Sharia state in that region. Tens of thousands of people have fled this violence to the neighboring countries of Cameroon, Chad, and Niger. An estimated three million people have been affected by the fighting. Boko Haram, which means “Western education is forbidden,” generally targets Christians, but a large number of their victims have been Muslim. The militant group has looted villages and burned homes and churches to the ground in their raids. They’ve also been reported to use boys and girls as young as 10 as soldiers. Self-defense militias that have sprung up in the absence of a strong Nigerian military presence are also reported to recruit children as soldiers, spies, and cooks. In a new development, Boko Haram has begun using female suicide bombers in their campaign of terror. Most of them have been teenage girls, possibly the children of Boko Haram fighters or poor girls lured by the promise of financial security.
• Please continue to pray for children and families who’ve been affected by Boko Haram’s violent campaign. Pray for those who’ve had loved ones killed or injured in attacks by this militant group. Pray for children and families who have lost their homes and communities. Pray God will provide for their immediate and deepest needs.
• Pray for children who have been forcibly recruited as child soldiers by Boko Haram as well as other warring factions. Pray for those who’ve been abducted and for those subjected to sexual violence.
• Keep in prayer captured child soldiers who are held in Nigerian military detention facilities known for their mistreatment of prisoners. Pray for their protection, release, and rehabilitation.
• Please continue to pray for peace in Nigeria’s troubled northeast region. Pray for Nigeria’s government and military leaders during this challenging season. Pray for wisdom and courage to do the right thing for their fellow Nigerians, especially the children of this fractured country.
• Pray for Boko Haram’s leaders—that God would change the hearts of those who use violence to achieve goals.
Uganda
Baraka, a 7-year-old boy with brittle bone disease, is unable to walk because of complications from a surgery several years ago. His family lives in an upstairs apartment without an elevator, so Baraka’s mother or father must carry him up and down. Last summer, Baraka’s teacher was carrying him downstairs when she fell. He suffered several broken bones in that fall. Baraka recently had another surgery and is still in immense pain and experiencing a lot of bleeding.
• Please continue to pray that God will bring healing to Baraka and lift the terrible pain. Pray his little body will experience a miracle of complete healing.
• Pray for Baraka’s mother and father and his four brothers and sisters as they help care for him.
United States
Last spring, 4-year-old Jordan had surgery to remove one of her kidneys that had a fist-sized tumor wrapped around it. Several days after that surgery, Jordan had another operation to remove a tumor in one of her lungs. On a happy note, Jordan finished 10 days of radiation and chemotherapy the day before her baby sister Leslie was born. Jordan recently had her first CT scan after completing several months of chemotherapy and there were no indications of abnormalities—everything looks good!
• Thanks be to God for Jordan’s wonderful medical news! And give thanks to God that her energy level is back to normal, her hair is growing back, and she loves her new school. Please continue to pray for Jordan … that she will remain tumor-free.
• Continue to keep Jordan’s parents, Jerin and Kristen, in prayer as they care for Jordan and her baby sister. Jordan’s parents shared their gratitude for the support they’ve been given during this ordeal. They praise God for those who’ve been in prayer for their family and say the prayers carried them through.
• Give God thanks for the joy baby Leslie has brought to her big sister and their family in such a challenging season.
Faces of Children
• Please pray for the mother of Faces of Children intercessor Robin. Pray for God’s healing touch upon her mother and for her complete recovery from a recent knee surgery.
• 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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