Are We Praying with our Children?
The National Day of Prayer takes place on May 7th, and I see signs of religious communities preparing for this day with announcements and postings and e-mails. What I have yet to see is anything about children’s participation. Maybe it is my responsibility to send out that type of information, but honestly it only occurred to me to pray FOR our children, not necessarily to pray WITH our children.
What a wonderful opportunity for young children to experience a time to pray with people from coast to coast! Think of the conversations that could come out of this… our connection with one another… our freedom to pray aloud without fear… our opportunity to pray to a God who loves us…
Here is a simple prayer from Marian Wright Edelman to share with our young children:
“I pray for peace
in myself
in my family
in my community
in my country
and in all the world”
The Lord tells us that “where two or three are gathered in my name, I am there among them”, so let us show our children the transforming power of so many gathered and in prayer.
RESOURCES:
I’m Your Child, GOD: Prayers for our Children by Marian Wright Edelman
The Children’s Defense Fund
Matthew 18.20 - NRSV
