Faces of Children is an ecumenical prayer ministry under the auspices of First Presbyterian Church of Midland, Texas. Their mission is to initiate ministries of prayer for children in churches, communities, and neighborhoods. In doing so, they 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, Tomorrow
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. The church is not currently offering lunch service. If you'd like to have lunch together, please bring a sack lunch and we can eat 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,
"I lift up my eyes to the mountains--where does my help come from? My help comes from the Lord, the Maker of heaven and earth.
"He will not let your foot slip--he who watches over you will not slumber; indeed, he who watches over Israel will neither slumber nor sleep."
"The Lord watches over you--the Lord is your shade at your right hand; the sun will not harm you by day, nor the moon by night. The Lord will keep you from all harm--he will watch over your life; the Lord will watch over your coming and going both now and forevermore."
Psalm 121
You know what they say about the best-laid plans of mice and men, right?
Well for the last couple of weeks, my plans were all upended by two little girls with a yucky virus. Late night coughing fits, unending fevers for days on end, and runny noses turned our normally busy schedule into a series of couch-laying, drink-sipping, movie-watching and soup-eating quiet days. Our bustling little world came to a quick halt. And to be honest, since I knew they are both generally healthy and strong little gals who would soon rally, I was grateful for the pause their illnesses brought to our life. Sometimes it is good to slow down and stay home. I'm also grateful for the fact that we were battling a virus and not something more serious. I'm deeply aware that every day, parents are given terrifying news about their kids' health... and I can only imagine how that upends the normal rhythms of life.
So this email comes a bit late because for the last couple of weeks, I've spent more time thinking about the two little girls in my house and a bit less time thinking about the ones outside of it. But even in that, I'm reminded that God never sleeps and never forgets and never takes his eye off a single one of his precious children. So for those mommas and daddies who just heard scary diagnoses spoken over their little ones, He is their source of strength and courage. For the little girls burning with fevers in refugee camps where no medicine can be administered, He is their comfort and relief. For children invisible to the rest of us, going to bed hungry, lonely, or neglected in our communities, He is their place of shelter.
As I cared for my children these last two weeks, tending to their needs, waking up at night to check on their well-being, singing soothing songs over them as their bodies ached and trembled, and administering popsicles and kisses as needed, I was reminded it is the same with us. He cares for all of His children. We may not understand why He doesn't step in and heal, mend, or restore in every circumstance, but as His children, each one of us is the apple of His eye. And in some mysterious way -- even in dark and scary moments -- living in that truth can be enough to sustain and bring life-giving hope. And though He asks us to bear one another's burdens in love, we can always rest in the knowledge that He is the Father to all the world's hurting. We don't have to frantically spread ourselves too thin, trying to be all things to all people. Instead we can rest in the knowledge that He bears all things and respond in quiet obedience by tending to those whom he puts directly in our path. Sometimes that may be our children; other times it may be a child on the other side of the world. All Has asks is that we walk with Him, drawing our identity and strength from His heart and letting that spill out into the world around us.
This week, may we rest in the knowledge that we are -- each one of us -- a dearly loved child of God. May we carry the burdens of this world lightly, knowing He is the one who holds the whole world in His hands. May we see ourselves and this broken world around us as He sees us: sick and hurting children in the nurturing and tender hands of a loving Father. And through our words and our actions, may we spread that message far and wide.
In addition to that, please join me in praying for the following matters this week:
GLOBAL // UN warns that world faces greatest humanitarian crisis since 1945
"UN humanitarian chief Stephen O'Brien said that more than 20 million people faced the threat of starvation and famine in Yemen, Somalia, South Sudan and Nigeria. Unicef has already warned 1.4m children could starve to death this year." In each country, famine can be blamed on war, a lack of rule of law, and under-development."
• Read more here ...
Please pray for peace to come to these places; for violence to end so that families can again provide for their children. Pray for the UN and other aide organizations to have the resources they need to meet the most urgent needs. Pray for the children, mothers and fathers being affected -- may they sense the tender embrace God in their darkest hours.
SYRIA // Toxic stress and Syria's children
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| AFP Photo |
• Read more here ...
Only God can heal the wounds of children who live through war. Though it's being studied and evaluated in Syria, the same findings would undoubtedly hold true to other children who live through war -- whether they are Rohingya, Yemeni, Somali, or Sudanese. Please pray for children to receive the support and services they need to put them on the path to healing. Pray for the professionals and caregivers to recognize signs of stress and trauma and to be able to respond in a way that brings healing and hope rather than more trauma. Above all, pray for peace.
BELIZE // FPC Mission Team
Please pray for our FPC mission team currently serving in Belize. They are working alongside a local church there, building relationships and helping serve the local community through construction projects, children's programs, and lots of conversation and friendship.
• Read more here ...
Praying with you,
Carrie
PS: My girls are both better now!
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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