A Prayer for Children

A Prayer for the children of Kosovo and Serbia,
A Prayer for the children of Littleton and Pittsburgh,
A Prayer for all children.

Oh Jesus,
who gathered children in your lap

Today we pray
for the children of our church
for the children of our city
for the children of our world.

May they live
without fear of guns and bombs.
May they live
without hunger for food or love.
May they live
without the shadow of violence stunting their growth.

May each day bring them
enough hugs for a smile
enough friends for security
enough adults to provide guidance.

May they grow in faith
so that they walk as your children,
children of grace, joy and peace.

Forgive our silence.
Empower us to work with you
to shape a world of justice
for all your children.

May we never get in the way
of letting the children come to you.
AMEN.

Carmen Schrock-Hurst
for the children of Pittsburgh Mennonite Church
copyright l999