Invitation to Prayer

Faces of Children is an ecumenical prayer ministry under the auspices of First Presbyterian Church of Midland, Texas. Our mission is to initiate ministries of prayer for children in churches, communities, and neighborhoods. In doing so, we 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).

Epiphany

“O God, who became vulnerable for our sake, you challenge the powers that rule this world through all who work for justice, freedom, and peace: Fill us with your passion that we may have the courage to persevere against evil in all its disguises; in the name of your Beloved, our Savior Jesus Christ. Amen.”
Women’s Uncommon Prayers, by Elizabeth Geitz

A message from Chris Laufer, Coordinator, Faces of Children

Greetings, Faces of Children Prayer Partner,

I was drawn to this prayer because it reminds me that all of us involved with Faces of Children are engaged in this work for justice, freedom, and peace about which Geitz writes. However, it’s not the kind of work or involvement society might think of immediately. The average person probably wouldn’t consider prayer to be an effective form of work in helping children.

Yet, I firmly believe God is at work through our individual and corporate prayers for children in challenging the powers that rule this world. I’ve witnessed so many answers to prayer ... so many ways in which God has worked through prayer…that I am humbled by God’s power and God’s grace.

Just last week, I was blessed to meet in person Emmanuel and Grace (these are their real names—love it!) …children who, against all odds, escaped poverty and exploitation in Africa and were reunited with family in the United States. These beautiful children grinned with joy and happiness when told they had been prayed for by so many of you. They looked me in the eye and said, with deepest sincerity and love, “Thank you. Thank you so much.”

And now, I pass this “thank you” from Emmanuel and Grace along to you because you did the hard work of prayer. It isn’t easy to open your heart to the pain and suffering of children, but your passion for them and prayers of concern for them helped you persevere. You became an instrument of God’s work by praying for Emmanuel and Grace. You prayed and God, who is with us always, listened and answered. Thanks be to our generous God of grace.

The Midland Faces of Children prayer group will meet on Wednesday, January 18, 2012, at 11:30 a.m. to pray for the children of our local and global community. The Midland Faces of Children prayer group meets in the Bride's room at First Presbyterian Church-Midland. Please join us for this time of prayer, and afterward for lunch ($5) and a time of fellowship.

If you have 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 me at at claufer@facesofchildren.net, or give me a call. Thank you for your faithfulness in prayer for the children of our world.

Giving thanks to the God of Grace and Emmanuel and you,

Chris