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).Invitation to Prayer, WEDNESDAY
Hi Friends,
Thank you for joining me in prayer for the children of the world. If you can, we'd love to have you pray together with us this Wednesday - TODAY - at 11:30 a.m., in the gym conference room at First Presbyterian Church of Midland, Texas, followed by lunch together.
Also, Faces of Children is now on Facebook ! I invite you to like our page so that you can see regular stories, prayer needs, and updates from partner ministries.
All the best,
Carrie
Dear Intercessors,
It's been a brutal week, hasn't it?
So much fear and anger exploding into violence. Does it sometimes feel like we are being forced into corners by unseen forces bent on division? Forced to choose between #blacklivesmatter and #backtheblue ; forced to pick a side and make a stand. But this choosing? It is leaving us battered; it is leaving us black and blue. What if "the other" isn't our enemy; what if we began to recognize that the enemy is the enemy. Scripture tells us that Satan comes to steal, kill, and destroy, and as I look around the world, I see him leaving a dark path of destruction in his wake. He steals peace and security, we kill each other, and we destroy community. We franticly point fingers, trying to find someplace to land; somewhere to place the final blame and responsibility for the scary world we see. It's a world where radical polarization seems to be growing at a frightening rate. And it isn't just about this latest round of police shootings and the shooting of police, is it? Divisiveness is growing in our political system and the world around us. The message is clear. Pick a side. Make your stand. Choose. Us or them.
I'd like to invite you to join me this week in prayer. Let's pray that God empowers us to pick the side of the vulnerable, the weary, the broken-hearted, and the oppressed; to be people who stand on the side of love. People who choose Him and refuse to see "them" as anything less than a brother or sister, a son or daughter. Let's ask God to give us ears to listen and opportunities to hear from someone who might stand on "the other" side of an issue than you; opportunities to sit down and share a cup of coffee or a meal with someone who has walked a different path in life and seen the world from a different angle. Let's ask Him to help us love them and not just tolerate them. And as we pray these prayers, let's ask God to help us speak into the lives of our children and help them navigate this confusing and scary world as people who love Jesus.
This is a short email this week, and a simple prayer. But the world doesn't need more words. The world needs more love. I want to close with a quote from Bob Goff... He said, "Love one another. What's simple isn't always easy."
Sincerely,
Carrie
• CLICK HERE for the story behind this 2014 photo by Johnny Nguyen
Carrie J. McKean
Faces of Children Director
First Presbyterian Church of Midland, Texas
(432) 684-7821 x153
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 info@facesofchildren.net
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