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. 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
"For the LORD your God is living among you.
He is a mighty savior. He will take delight in you with gladness.
With his love, he will calm all your fears.
He will rejoice over you with joyful songs."
Zephaniah 3:17 (NLT)
Dear Intercessors,
One of the sweetest moments of my week was also one of the most simple and unplanned. My six-year-old daughter, Cora, decided she wanted to set up a "Kid's Craft Table" in our front yard and wait for neighborhood children to walk by so she could invite them to make something with her. There were no special kits or fancy supplies -- just a stack of white paper, a basket of scissors, stickers, glue and beads, and old tin cans which she carefully labeled to hold crayons, markers, and decorative tape. I helped her carry her supplies outside and set them out on a small table. She taped a sign she made to the front of the table, and then sat down to wait.
"Do you think anyone will come, Mama?" she asked.
"I think so. School is getting out now, and the neighborhood kids will be walking by soon."
A few minutes later, her favorite playmates from down the street walked by with their mom and Cora ran out in the street to meet them. She invited them to the table and before long, the three little girls were busy cutting, gluing, stringing, laughing and chattering. Their mom and I sat in the shade of the tree in our yard, enjoying the slow pace and simple joy of spontaneous childhood unfolding before.
Courtesy Photo |
And as I watched, God brought to mind a verse I've been pondering this week, Zepheniah 3:17... and I heard the Spirit whisper to my heart, "Just as you delight in them, so the Father delights over you... just because you are."
I never cease to be grateful for the ways my children show me the heart of God. I didn't have the easiest childhood, and I've grieved what I missed. Truthfully sometimes it feels like I'm raising not just the two little girls God entrusted to me, but three... Cora, Alea, and myself. Through my journey as their mama, God has been healing some of my broken heart, restoring some of what I lost, and learning what it means to be a beloved daughter.
Children are such a gift... simply because they are. This week, as we pray for children and mourn all the ways they are wounded, may we start from a place of gratitude and wonder -- praising God for how He uses them to raise us up.
This week, I'd like to invite you to join me in praying for the following matters:
Malaysia // Over half of Rohingya girls who fled violence became child brides - UN survey
Reuters Photo by Mohammad Ponier Hossain |
Please pray for God's protection over these girls and for organizations who work to support the Rohingya, like Partner's Relief and Development.
Dallas, Texas // Police Officer Who Fatally Shot 15-Year-Old Texas Boy Is Charged With Murder
File Photo |
Please pray for the family and friends of Jordan Edwards as the grieve the loss of a precious son, brother and friend. Please pray for the family of Roy Oliver as well, who are undoubtedly reeling from the sudden turn his life took. Finally, please pray for justice to be done and peace to prevail both in Dallas and around the country.
Guatemala // Femicide the rallying cry for families of girls killed in Guatemalan orphanage fire
Guardian Photo |
Please pray for the protection of girls and women in Guatemala. With these kinds of impunity rates, it is hard to imagine how dangerous it is to be female in Guatemala. Please pray for justice to be served and for groups like International Justice mission who work with countries to help them strengthen their justice systems.
Praying with you,
Carrie
Carrie J. McKean
Faces of Children Director
First Presbyterian Church of Midland, Texas
(432) 684-7821 x153
* Name changed to protect her privacy.
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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