Prayers of the People 2002

As God’s people, called to love one another and to raise up the foundations of many generations, let us pray for the needs of the church, the whole human family and all the world, saying:
Hear our prayer for your children.

That the Church will fulfill Jesus’ call to welcome the children in word and deed, spirit and action, love, justice, we pray to you, O God:
Hear our prayer for your children.

That the nations and their leaders will invest in children and put them first, finding strength in upholding the youngest and most vulnerable members, we pray to you, O God:
Hear our prayer for your children.

That we work as congregations, communities, nations and world to end all that stunts our children’s lives: poverty, violence discrimination, sickness, hunger, failing schools, and too little care and increase your reign of peace and justice, we pray to you, O God:
Hear our prayer for your children.

That our community and its leaders will work to ensure that every child is cared for, every school is strengthened, every family is supported in its important role of raising the next generation, we pray to you, O God:
Hear our prayer for your children.

That we relieve the burden on families who struggle to make ends meet and assure good care for their children while they work, we pray to you, O God:
Hear our prayer for your children.

That your embracing love and presence are felt by all who are lonely, especially the children left to care for themselves, we pray to you, O God:
Hear our prayer for your children.

That your healing comfort is felt by all who suffer in mind, body and spirit, especially those who died too soon and too young, we pray to you, O God:
Hear our prayer for your children.

God of justice and mercy, help us to love the children as you love all that you have created, move us to bless the children as Jesus did, inspire us with your Spirit to work for the world of love and justice that you intend.

Amen.

By Shannon Daley-Harris. From Repairers of the Breach, 2002 Children’s Defense Fund, Children’s Sabbath Resource.