As God's children born to love and serve each other,
let us pray for our own children,
for the children of the world
and for the child in each of us.
We hear "let us pray to the Lord"
and respond "Lord, listen to your children praying..."
For the whole church on earth:
that together we may treasure the gift of each child in our hands,
let us pray to the Lord.
Lord, listen to your children praying...
For all children and youth in our congregations;
in our nurseries;
in our Sunday Schools and our confirmation classes;
in our youth groups:
that in our hands each one may feel the welcoming embrace of God's love,
let us pray to the Lord.
Lord, listen to your children praying...
For the world and all its children
--especially children living with war in Iraq, Afghanistan and Congo;
for children who suffer poverty and hunger;
for children who work to support their families
by making our shoes, clothing and soccer balls;
for children who grow our food;
for children who suffer abuse
in the hands of those who should care for them:
that God would gather us together
to work for peace, protection and hope for all children,
let us pray to the Lord.
Lord, listen to your children praying...
For children who are sick or dying;
for children who are afraid or grieving
--especially the children who have witnessed violence, and their families;
for children who have trouble fitting in for any reason:
that our Lord would help us to listen to the needs of all of God's children,
let us pray to the Lord.
Lord, listen to your children praying...
For ourselves as mothers and fathers,
grandparents and godparents,
teachers, pastors and friends
who seek to pass on our faith:
that we may receive the grace to live the Gospel with our children,
let us pray to the Lord.
Lord, listen to your children praying...
For the child in each of us
--still curious, playful, trusting and vulnerable--
let us pray to the Lord.
Lord, listen to your children praying...
Gracious God,
gather us --and all your children--
up into your loving arms
in the name of Jesus Christ our Lord.
Lord, listen to your children praying...