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. 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 ... TODAY

Hi Friends,

If you're in Midland this week, we'll be meeting at 11:00 a.m. on Wednesday, January 9 - TODAY - for prayer. We meet in the prayer closet at First Presbyterian Church of Midland, Texas. Please join us in lifting up the needs of vulnerable children in our community and around the world!

Blessings,

Carrie

Dear Intercessors,

Having school-age children means for me, this is the week when the holiday season feels officially over. My kindergartner and second-grader are returning to school today - equal parts eager to get into the routine and see their friends and dragging their feet at the early wake-up call. But in spite of the minor complaints, I remain incredibly grateful that they live in a place where education is a foregone conclusion.

I'm sending my girls off to school today ... but in many countries around the world, girls are pulled out of school and sold off into marriage to try to keep relentless poverty at bay, if only for a moment.

Photo by Aaron Ufumeli/EPA

I'm sending my girls off to school today ... but in many countries around the world, kids aren't able to go to school because of conflict and war -- sometimes because they've been forced to fight instead.

Photo by Nariman El-Mofty / AP 

I'm sending my girls off to school today ... but in many countries around the world, parents are taking their children on dangerous and sometimes deadly journeys of thousands of miles to try and find a better life. These smuggling operations thrust children into complex and risky situations -- overwhelming US border control and causing law-makers to dig their heels in on complicated immigration questions.

Photo by Nick Oza, Arizona Republic

In each of these situations -- child brides and child soldiers and child pawns in immigration arguments -- the only clear response we can offer is our prayers.

At the start of a New Year, I find myself aware that the contrasts of this world are not growing any less stark. And I'm less interested in resolutions and intentions and plans for a fresh start, and more interested in practicing gratitude for this enormously good life I've been given. I pray we can each center ourselves in gratitude for the many good things God has brought into our lives... and may that gratitude turn our focus upward and outward, especially to the children of the world who need our prayers, our care, our attention and our help.

Warmly,

Carrie

Carrie J. McKean
Faces of Children Director
First Presbyterian Church of Midland, Texas
(432) 684-7821 x153