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,
We will be meeting this Wednesday at 11:00 a.m., in the gym conference room at First Presbyterian Church of Midland, Texas. I hope you can join us!
I would like to know who plans to be at prayer the following week; on December 27. I realize many people may be traveling or hosting family for that week, so if most people cannot attend, we may simply plan to cancel next week's meeting.
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
Every good and perfect gift is from above, coming down from the Father of the heavenly lights, who does not change like shifting shadows.
James 1:17Dear Intercessors,
The older I get, the more I don't particularly like Santa.
And it's not because of some "war on Christmas" or the hyper-materialism of the holiday season. (I'm not convinced there's much of a war, though I am bothered by all the materialism.) It's mostly because Santa, by his very nature, isn't particularly equitable.
My girls are at the perfect age to believe in Santa, though we don't make much of a big deal about it. My youngest has been asking me all week if she's on the naughty or nice list; I think she's self-aware enough to realize she has cause for concern! Ha! And my oldest is on the edge of not being entirely sure whether or not she believes, but seems to be still holding onto the magic for one more year at least. In our home, Santa brings the stocking stuffers... the presents come from Mom and Dad and extended family. But last year, there was one moment where Cora found out Santa brought her some art supplies and new underwear, while he brought her cousin a motorized toy jeep he could drive around the backyard. And it did give her pause.
Like I said, Santa isn't particularly equitable.
Thankfully, Cora still had a few gifts she'd been hoping for so she wasn't too disappointed, but she did notice that Santa brought her something small and brought her cousin something huge. I do wonder, though, about children for whom Santa doesn't come at all? Or children like this little girl, who ask Santa for food and a blanket because the basic needs of their lives remain unmet and therefore dreaming about this year's must-have-toy seems entirely unimportant?
Cora is in first grade this year, and she told me late last week that the lunchtime conversations at school have been centered around the all-consuming question of: What do you hope Santa brings you? Cora told her classmates that Santa just surprises her and that she doesn't really ask him for anything. I'm glad she's found a place to stand where she's comfortable, and I'm not really worried about her heart in all of this. (For one, I know she will be happy with what's under the tree come Christmas morning; but more importantly, I think she really understands that the point of Christmas isn't the boxes under the tree.)
But what happens come early January? When the kids file back into the lunchroom and half the class excitedly announces Santa brought everything they asked for and more. And then there's that one child sitting quietly in the middle of all the chatter, staring hard at his peanut-butter-and-jelly sandwich willing himself not to cry because Santa didn't bring him a single thing? When the Santa legend is tied to being naughty or nice, it seems like this is just another place where poverty leads to shame... rooting down deep into the hearts of earnest and innocent six-year-olds who, even as they grow older and begin to understand the truth about Santa, can never quite shake the nagging self-doubt... maybe I'm just not good enough for the good things in life.
This week, I'd like to invite you to join me in a very simple prayer... thousands of children around our country are faced with constant and chronic advertising messages of "want more! buy more! show your love by giving more!" this holiday season. And yet they are in families scrimping and saving to put food on the table and don't have enough left over for gifts. Sure some will receive things from charitable groups, but undoubtedly there will be thousands of children who slip through the cracks. Obviously Christmas isn't about the presents, and normally we pray against the materialism and consumerism that has a choke-hold on our culture. But I want us to remember the children for whom chronic disappointment shapes their identity and sense of self-worth. Please pray protection over their hearts, minds, and souls... may they feel the unfailing compassion and love of a Father who gives only good gifts to his children. And may they, by his supernatural mercy and provision, find themselves smiling on Christmas morning.
Please also join me in praying for the following matters:
TEXAS // Texas governor orders investigation into youth lockup abuse
"Texas Gov. Greg Abbott on Wednesday called for an investigation into the state's juvenile detention system in the wake of four correctional officers recently being arrested on charges of sexual misconduct with youths in lockup. The charges have rekindled worries about Texas' juvenile detention system that was upended a decade ago by a widespread sex scandal involving at least 13 boys. Since June, four former Texas Juvenile Justice Department officers have been charged with improper or attempted improper sexual activity with a person in custody. A fifth officer was convicted in July on similar charges and sentenced to 10 years in prison. Abbott asking the Texas Rangers, the state's top law enforcement unit, follows increasing concern from lawmakers and calls by juvenile justice reform groups to close the state's five youth lockups. About 1,400 young offenders remain in Texas' youth correctional facilities - far less than the roughly 5,000 that were in the system before an abuse scandal that began in 2004 set off sweeping reforms." Read more here ...
Pray for the youth who have been victims of this violence, along with those seeking to reform the system.
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| Reuters Photo by Finbarr O'Reilly |
"Giving poor families just $6 a month has significantly reduced child trafficking in parts of the West African country of Benin where there is a longstanding practice of exploiting children for labour in fields and mines, the World Bank said. At least 40,000 children a year are estimated to be victims of trafficking in Benin, according to the U.N. children's agency UNICEF, although the latest data is a decade old. The phenomenon is widespread and growing, with many parents selling their children into labour because they cannot support them and have no other means of income, said Marie-Consolee Mukangendo, UNICEF's national head of child protection. But families in some of the poorest villages have stopped sending their children away since they were given 3,500 CFA francs ($6) a month for two years under a pilot programme funded by the World Bank, the project's manager said." Read more here ...
Praise God for the impact this program has made on child trafficking in Benin! Also, praise God that children are able to go to school, as the report suggests, with this simple influx of funds. May these gains be permanent, and may this program's efficacy be studied, adapted, and utilized in other communities.
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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