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 ... Wednesday
Hi Friends,
If you're in town and free, please join us to pray together on Wednesday at 11:00 a.m., in the gym conference room at First Presbyterian Church of Midland, Texas.
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
In those days Caesar Augustus issued a decree that a census should be taken of the entire Roman world. (This was the first census that took place while Quirinius was governor of Syria.) And everyone went to their own town to register.
So Joseph also went up from the town of Nazareth in Galilee to Judea, to Bethlehem the town of David, because he belonged to the house and line of David. He went there to register with Mary, who was pledged to be married to him and was expecting a child. While they were there, the time came for the baby to be born, and she gave birth to her firstborn, a son. She wrapped him in cloths and placed him in a manger, because there was no guest room available for them.
Luke 2:1-7
Dear Intercessors,
When I was about 5 years old, my Sunday School teacher had us memorize Luke 2:1-20. Echoes of it still reverberate in my mind. It was the KJV because I remember the opening line, "And it came to pass in those days, that there went out a decree from Ceasar Augustus, that all the world should be taxed." But as it sometimes happens, the echoes that reverberate for an entire lifetime sometimes become background noise... we cease to really hear them. And I admit that for much of the time, if I open the Bible and read the opening of Luke 2, I just skim the words. After all, I know what it says in the deepest part of my mind.
But do I really know what it says? Do we really grasp the magnitude of this message?
My sister-in-law is expecting a baby any day now, and for the last month her doctor has requested she not travel more than 45 minutes from home so that she can be sure to have quick access to the hospital when her time comes. In contrast, Mary, in those last uncomfortable days of pregnancy, traveled far away from her home because political leader of her world told her she had to go.
And all around the world, even today, women give birth in unfamiliar places and spaces as they are fleeing violence, obeying orders, and seeking safety. This week, I read this essay by Oddny Gumaer with Partner's. In preparation for our prayer this week, I'd like to ask you to read it as well, and let's spend some time praying for mama's who give birth to babies in unsafe and dangerous places. Let's pray for the children to be protected from violence, traffickers, and anyone who would wish to cause them harm; pray for protection from illness and the consequences of unattended childbirths. Pray for the mothers who must muster strength they don't think they have to keep walking, to keep nursing, to keep giving life to a vulnerable child in a world that seems to say on the strongest survive.
There are still Marys in the world today. May we hold them close to our heart this advent season.
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| PR&D Photo by Oddny Gumaer |
By Oddny Gumaer
"You don't know how strong you are until you are in a situation where you need to be that strong," said Y. She should know what she is talking about.
She was nine months pregnant when the army threatened to destroy her home and her village. The whole village was forced to run. The only alternative to running was a brutal death by their own army, endorsed by their own government. For Y the flight could not have come at a more impossible time. She had started feeling contractions that morning. Still she joined the others and fled. They walked in the heat of the day, constantly looking back to see if the soldiers were getting closer. From afar they could see the smoke of their houses burning. There was no turning back.
She delivered her baby in the jungle that night. There was nothing there that could ease her pain or assist her as she pushed and moaned. The villagers were with her, but there was little they could do. When the baby boy was born, they wiped him and put him by his mother. "Go," she insisted while facing her family and the villagers who had been there with her while she was delivering. "It is not safe for you here. You need to leave and get to Bangladesh. I will stay here for a bit with the baby and recover." Nobody wanted to leave her, but they knew she was right. If the army caught up to them, they would all die. So, she spent the night alone with her new baby in the jungle. It was hard to sleep because she was constantly listening for the sound of the enemy approaching. "I was so afraid," she recalls.
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Praying with you,
Carrie
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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