Invitation to Prayer from Faces of Children ... TODAY

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, TODAY

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

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Dear Intercessors,

Over the last few weeks, it seems as though the streets in our nation have been running blood-red with violence. We've been praying for the victims -- both police and civilian -- and their families. We've been asking God to heal the deeply rooted racial tensions that seem to be growing astonishingly fast and choking out civility, community, and unity on a national level, especially with an increasingly raucous presidential election. And we've been praying for opportunities to make a difference in our own hometowns; to be about the business of reconciliation, relationship-building, and forgiveness -- not in an abstract or philosophical way, but in a concrete, face-to-face way.

And as I've personally prayed that prayer, God answered in the form of an email from a good friend and member of our police force here in Midland. He shared an opportunity to be involved in a "Kids, Cops, and BBQ" event hosted by a small church in our town. Mt. Moriah Disciples of Christ is in a predominately-minority part of town, and the pastor, Reverend Hodge, wants to help build relationships between kids from the neighborhood and police officers and send the kids off to school with some new school supplies and backpacks.

MRT Photo

Over the last few days, I've been talking more with Rev. Hodge and learning more about what needs he sees in his neighborhood and what challenges the children and youth in his community face. He shared the following prayer requests with me:

"My heart's desire is to build relationships between our law enforcement agencies and community. Education, Communication and Relationships are very vital and necessary. My prayer for this event is first of all believing The Lord will provide all funding and every thing needed to make this event a success. I know that relationships are built by constant communication, so I believe this will be the first of many more events where our law enforcement and citizens would continue to intertwine. Please pray for the safety of our officers and our church because we know everyone is not pleased. So pray our church and its members would be protected from vandalism. I mentioned education. I'm asking that you pray and agree with me that The Lord will bless us with the funding to build a community education center on our lot across the street. A lot of the children in our area don't have access to computers and we want to make that available for them. I have many retired and current educators who are willing to help in tutoring our kids. Just pray for the success for this event that God may get the glory."

I hope you'll join me this week in praying for these needs that Rev. Hodge shared with us. I believe we must become better listeners in order to help heal the deep divisiveness in our country. So even if you aren't from Midland, please consider that these prayer requests might have just as easily come from your community, and lift them up on behalf of children in your town. And maybe start asking God to open doors to build relationships with churches ministering in neighborhoods you don't often visit.

Finally, please also pray that the Kids, Cops, and BBQ event this weekend will be a success with lots of good food eaten, great fun enjoyed, and meaningful friendships formed. If you want to get involved, you can come on Saturday, August 6 to Mt. Moriah Disciples of Christ Church at 701 S. Calhoun in Midland. It will be from 11:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m. Donations are being accepted for school supplies and the BBQ!

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