The church in prayer

Use these prayers in your congregation as you lift up the issue of child abuse.

God, Give us Courage

Oh God of mercy and tenderness,
There are more hurting children than we want to acknowledge.
People don’t want to hear about this problem that affects so many children
We can’t imagine a loved one or a stranger bringing harm to your beloved gift.
Fear and shame blocks our courage to speak up
We fail to empower the innocent of their rights and to believe their complaints.
Grant us the wisdom to listen, to take notice, to care, to protect and to act.
Dear God, we need you to help us break the cycle of child abuse.
AMEN.

— Ada Simmons, PCAN Leadership Team

Yes, Jesus Loves Me

“Yes Jesus loves me; Yes, Jesus loves me.”
I don’t feel ugly when I sing my special song.
In my house alone and hungry “Jesus loves me” is all I know.
Why can’t the teacher accept my ”Jesus loves me” homework?
Soon the shadows of the night will fall
I wait, wait, wait, and wait to hear a call
A quick hum of “Jesus loves me” and
Sleep to keep me warm and safe. AMEN.

— Ada Simmons, PCAN Leadership Team

Father-Mother God, parent of each of us, we come with humble hearts and anxious minds into your presence.

How do we understand the horrifying knowledge that our children, your children, are being denied the basic rights of safety, health, food and shelter because they are defenseless and without responsible adults to care for them?

How do we allow 150 million street children and child soldiers to exist in this world, your world? How can we not care that over a million children live below the poverty level in our wealthy nation, your nation? 

How can we stop the physical, emotional, mental and sexual abuse of children who cannot defend themselves from preying adults? 

We ask for your divine guidance to direct us into finding solutions to these painful sorrows so that, once again, we can keep the promises we made to these children during baptism. We pray for forgiveness that we might be the ones to offer God's love and compassion in real ways to those in need of hope and your saving grace. In the name of your Son “who welcomed the little children to come unto him.”  Amen.

— Lois Butler, Moderator, Presbyterian Child Advocacy Network (PCAN)

God, can you hear me?

God, can you hear me today?
   Is this really right?

The days come but the long, dark
   and lonely nights are my life.

What a waste that the warmth of your sun
    does little to influence my energy to run and play.

No need for eyes, they are held down
   to shield the pain and frown of life.

Acting out, my cry for help misunderstood,
   my silenced tongue is looked upon as a stubborn no-good.

A waste for you, a waste for me.
   You missed the call, my purpose so small.

Dear God, just keep me near, someday to know,
   I’m your beloved, most dear. Amen, Amen.

Beautiful Assurance

“I am your beloved, worthwhile and beautiful child. Your gift to the world! That’s so hard to believe, oh God. When the warmth of the sunshine gives little energy to run and have fun. Where there’s little need for eyes, they are held down, down to shield the pain of life. During the long, dark and dreary night, no matter what, I count on you. I’m your beloved as the day comes to protect me from the night.”

Gracious God, many children have been deeply wounded. Crushed in ways, dear God, that diminishes the very essence of their development to thrive into adulthood. Their innocence shaken by strong drinks, drugs, sex, child labor, army gangs and a street life of violence to just survive. Continuing to exist and endure is the ‘status quo’ for their lives. They are often overlooked, forgotten and feared by society. In their busyness to survive, may they find quiet time to “know that you are God” and somewhere there’s a waiting angel to shelter them from the storms of life.

On the wings of the Dove, grant me life, as it should be, loving God. I pray for warm sunshine for my weakness, clear vision to see the truth and soothing hands to show me love in my unstable world.