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,

My little girls love dancing, singing, gymnastics, swimming -- all the stuff of childhood. They sometimes get their feelings hurt at school, when a friend doesn't share a favorite toy or when they don't get to be the line leader. The most dangerous thing they've ever experienced is loosing their footing on the playground and dangling from a too-high bar for a moment too long. But that's the extent of what they've known so far of pain, fear, and hurt. The other day as she was loading up for school, my 5-year-old daughter caught the end of an NPR news broadcast on the radio. She listened as the reporter talked about the war in Syria and recent bombings. "What's a war, mama?" she asked.

As I struggled to explain, I was struck by the innocence of childhood.

And it's as it should be. But for millions of children growing up in conflict zones around the world, they've never felt the sacred protection of innocence. This week, will you join me in praying for children growing up in the midst of violence, war, and conflict?

MYANMAR // For people familiar with the work of Partners Relief and Development, you are probably already familiar with the situation facing the Rohingya people in Myanmar. According to recent reports in the New York Times, violence between the Rohingya and government military forces is increasing, including reports of wide-spread burning of villages, rape of young women, and armed conflict between the Rohingya (using crudely made weapons) and the government authorities (using automatic weapons and helicopters). Please pray for children caught in the midst of this violence. Pray for their protection in the midst of fighting, and in particular, please pray for the young girls to be spared from rape. The violence is happening in parts of the country closed to media, so there's very little knowledge about the full-extent of what's going on. Please pray for the government to cease the assaults and for the Rohingya to be treated with dignity and respect.

IRAQ // While many people have fled the violence over the last few years and left the country of Iraq, there are many more internally displaced people attempting to rebuild their lives within the country but far from home. Few groups serve these internally displaced people, and it is nearly impossible to rebuild a life when you have nothing at your disposal. Preemptive Love Coalition has begun helping local families rebuild their livelihoods by purchasing sewing machines, tool kits, chickens, goats, and sheep for families. Praise God for the ways these small investments in families can get them back on their feet -- able, again, to feed, clothe, and shelter their children. Please pray for mothers and fathers who are seeking to create some sense of normalcy for their children in new parts of the country. Pray they are able to earn enough to meet their families' needs and that their children can soon get on with the business of being kids -- going to school, playing games, laughing, and being unafraid. And if you're looking for unique Christmas gifts this year for family and friends, consider partnering with PLC to empower an Iraqi family. Check out their 2016 Gift Guide.

PLC Photo

GLOBAL // According to an article published by the Thomson Reuters Foundation, "the use of children in war has been increasing, especially in jihadist groups such as Islamic State in Syria and Iraq and Boko Haram in Nigeria, said Romeo Dallaire, founder of the Canada-based Child Soldiers Initiative. "In the past, certainly children have been used, but as a peripheral instrument or as a last resort," Dallaire told the conference. "We're actually moving into an era where the preferred instrument of conflict ... is using children to do the conflict," he said. Dallaire, who worked for the United Nations during the 1994 Rwandan genocide, said the recruitment of children is a strong indication of other horrors being committed as well. "If you're ready to recruit children to do your fighting, there is no limit to what you can make them do, and there's no limit to where you are prepared to go in regards to abusing human rights," he said. "If you see significant recruitment of child soldiers in a conflict zone, ... it can rapidly degenerate into mass atrocities or genocide," he said." Read more here about the use of children as soldiers in conflict. Please pray for these children. Pray that God would shield and protect them from evil, and that he would guard their hearts even as they are being forced to commit horrific acts of violence.

Sometimes, when I stop to think about these kinds of horrors, I have no words... all I can do is whisper the prayer that Jesus taught us: ...your kingdom come, your will be done, on earth as it is in Heaven.

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