Leader: Pray always, and do not lose heart: For the millions of children who are living in poverty, that they might receive the basic necessities to develop their potential.

People: O God, hear our prayer. Help us not to lose heart.

Leader: For children who cried themselves to sleep last night, their stomachs tight with hunger, that they be nourished and comforted,

People: O God, hear our prayer. Help us not to lose heart.

Leader: For the children who will tuck themselves into bed tonight, while their parents burrow into briefcases or newspapers, that families make time to enjoy and celebrate each other.

People: O God, hear our prayer. Help us not to lose heart.

Leader: For parents who struggle to make ends meet, find jobs, and clothe and feed their families, that they might find support and compassion,

People: O God, hear our prayer. Help us not to lose heart.

Leader: For those in positions of power, that their hearts will not be like that of the unjust judge, but instead be moved by your mercy and justice,

People: O God, hear our prayer. Help us not to lose heart.

Leader: For ourselves, that we are moved from complacence about poverty and find the faithful persistence of the widow to challenge injustice,

People: O God, hear our prayer. Help us not to lose heart.

Leader: “Will not God grant justice to God’s chosen ones who cry to God day and night? Will not God delay long in helping them? I tell you, God will quickly grant justice to them.” (Luke 18:17)

Shannon Daley-Harris
From 1995 Children’s Defense Fund, Children’s Sabbath Resource