Invitation to Prayer from Faces of Children ... WEDNESDAY

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 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

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Dear Intercessors,

I think the world could use a bit of good news this week, don't you agree? Sometimes we need concrete reminders that God is still moving and working to bring light into the darkness and good out of all the brokenness. So this week, I wanted us to spend some time thanking and praising God for his intervention in these instances:

From International Justice Mission ...

• Praise God for the successful rescue of four boys who had been enslaved for five to ten years on a farm in South Asia. IJM worked with proactive government authorities to free the boys on Saturday, and officials successfully arrested the six men who were holding them captive. Pray for the boys as they return to their families, and for strength for our legal team following the case.
• Praise God for incredible changes sweeping through the Philippines: This week, three traffickers were convicted for selling minors for sexual exploitation at Stardust Showbar. IJM helped rescue 13 young women last November, and the bar was boarded up and closed by authorities in February. Praise God that the traffickers have been restrained from harming others, and pray that they would meet our most merciful God in prison. Stardust Showbar was an iconic bar within Manila's red-light area. The fact that justice has been done shows the country's commitment to holding traffickers accountable.

From New Day Foster Home ...

• For years, New Day has been praying and trying to get registered as a Chinese Charity. The answer has always been NO.....not possible. And all these years, we have been operating in a grey zone -- known by the government, but not officially recognized. With law changes for foreign NGO's, getting registered has become critical. Without registration we could be shut down. Recently God brought a Christian lawyer to us who has been helping us with the registration process. Lawyer Zhou has a good relationship with the Beijing, Chaoyang District Civil Affairs. They have given permission for us to get registered! Praise God!! The only issue is that the facility MUST be in the Chaoyang District of Beijing. So that is why we are looking to open another facility in Beijing and have even found a great location. There has been one snag in the process. To get registered we must come under the Disabled Women and Children's Federation. DWCF has said to proceed with this facility we need to obtain a certificate of safety from the fire department. The fire department refuses to give this certificate since when the facility was built the contractor did not obtain it. New Day Director Grace Zhang did some research and found that buildings this size do NOT need that certificate. So tomorrow Grace has a meeting with DWCF's director to present this information. If the director agrees then the registration process can be completed. Please join us in PRAYING that DWCF will say YES.

These are three examples of God moving in powerful ways in circumstances that have often seemed like immovable mountains for those facing them. And as we look around, we each see lots more 'immovable mountains' in the world today. So as we pray, let's remember the good works that we have already seen God complete and praise Him for his faithfulness and mighty hand. And in those areas where we have not yet seen redemption and mountains move, may we boldly approach his throne of mercy and ask for His kingdom to come and His will to be done, on earth as it is in heaven. (For those of you who do not attend FPC Midland, Steve Schorr gave a powerful sermon this past Sunday on praying for the Holy Spirit to be unleashed in our lives and God's Kingdom to come to this earth. (To view it, CLICK HERE, select the Archives link, and watch the July 24 sermon.)

Praying with you,

Carrie

Carrie J. McKean
Faces of Children Director
First Presbyterian Church of Midland, Texas
(432) 684-7821 x153

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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