A Year of Prayers for Young Minds

Sunday 19th January

Loving Lord, we pray for those going through the turbulent teens. Young people with so much potential, but subject to many influences which may adversely affect their mental health. We pray for their guidance, support and encouragement as they find their way, that each might discover their true worth as human beings uniquely made in your image. Let not their gifts and talents be squandered, but in developing them may they find purpose, direction, positivity and the abundant joy in living which you desire to bring to all through Jesus Christ. Lord in your mercy, hear our prayer.

Sunday 26th January

As we lift up to you children and young people and their mental wellbeing, we pray for school teachers who are in contact with them each school day and may notice the signs of trouble. In their busy lives, with their many responsibilities, may teachers be aware, alert, compassionate and skilled, to be the first defenders of those children who are suffering. Lord in your mercy, hear our prayer.

Sunday 2nd February.

Loving God as we continue with our year of prayer for the mental health of children and young people in our Circuit and beyond, we pray especially today that Children's Mental Health week, which runs from tomorrow until next Sunday, will raise awareness of this challenging problem that is facing so many, both locally here and across our country. We pray for all those from Place2Be and the other organisations involved this week, and all who will be supporting in so many ways. We pray that the aim of the week to empower and give a voice to all children and young people in the UK will come to pass through your love, so that children will not have to face mental health problems alone. Lord in your mercy, hear our prayer.

Sunday 9th February.

Loving God, we pray for all children and young people who are living at home. We think and pray especially today for those who are not blessed with a surrounding loving family, and who have difficult relationships. We know that this can make them vulnerable to mental distress and, sadly, potentially to physical abuse. We pray for them that they might find love and happiness where at present there is none, and we ask that you would be with them and comfort them. We pray also for all the members of such troubled families that they may come to know the power of your love. And we pray also for all those who seek to help and support them, either in their wider family or from elsewhere. Lord in your mercy, hear our prayer.

Sunday 16th February.

We pray for all those who work in the NHS who treat children suffering with their mental health. We pray for counsellors, psychologists, psychiatrists and other professionals, that they show understanding and empathy and make each child feel cared for and special. We also pray for those support workers in schools who often are the first adult the child talks to about their issues. May they be good listeners and able to discern what the next step should be. Lord in your mercy, hear our prayer.

Sunday 23rd February.

Lord, we pray for children suffering loss of a parent. We know ourselves how the loss of a loved one can affect our mental health, and our heart goes out to children who are

unfortunate enough to lose a parent at an impressionable age. Be close to them and help those around them learn how to best support them. We also pray for children whose parents divorce or separate. That they are given support and time to adjust to the new situation and, if possible, maintain a relationship with each parent. However, we know that is not always the case, and in those circumstances, we pray for understanding and for feelings of rejection to be dealt with and not hidden. Lord in your mercy, hear our prayer.

The prayers for the month of April have been written by Revd Cameron Stirk and Deacon Liz Day .

Sunday 6th April

Today let us hold before God the lay employees within our Circuit and from various churches who work in part in our local schools. Let us pray for Michael Johnston (Christchurch); Fi Thompson (Burley); Hester Ayling (Guiseley; Yeadon & Bramhope) and Jean Snaith (Guisieley, Yeadon & Bramhope). Let us also remember our Ministers who often take school assemblies as part of their role and those who volunteer in delivering Open the Book. Let us especially remember our lay employees who have the responsibility and privilege of working alongside teachers and with students as part of whole school work, small groups or one-to-one mentoring. Let us pray for guidance, sensitivity, honesty, care and a wholeness in all they offer and lead. Let us also pray for wisdom, imagination and fun as they lead various children' and youth groups, praying that the love of Jesus may be communicated to all the young people they work with. Lord in your mercy, hear our prayer.

13th April – Palm Sunday

Loving Lord, as we stand at the beginning of another Holy Week, we can only imagine the gamut of emotions Jesus experienced from riding triumphantly into Jerusalem to being laid in the tomb.

Today, let us pray for all young people who are living with severe mood swings. For those who experience such despair that they turn to self harm for release. For those whose behaviour is misunderstood and those whose stories are disbelieved.

May they find safe places to talk and realise they are of immense value and worth.

Lord in your mercy, hear our prayer.

20th April – Easter Day

On this joyful day as we rejoice in the resurrection of Jesus we remember how he overcame death and evil so that we might know freedom. But particularly today, we also pray for those young people who do not feel joy due to mental distress and overwhelm.

May they glimpse moments of triumph over their situations and recognise resurrection within their own lives. Let us pray that coping strategies may be found and self acceptance discovered.

Lord in your mercy, hear our prayer.

27th April

As we live in these hope-filled days of Eastertide let us pray for all those entrusted with responsibility for support services for young people including our Government, local Councils and local Health trusts. Let us pray for a resurrection of thinking in terms of help and funding for those affected by poor mental health. Let us pray that those with difficult decisions about finances and where support is best employed may be given new hope and peace even through the living presence of our risen Lord Jesus Christ. Lord in your mercy, hear our prayer.

This month’s prayers have been written by Viv Pitts, Elizabeth Hall and Revd Roberta Topham with assistance from Rosie Al-Fatlawi.

4th May

Loving God, we are aware that this is a month of exams for some children. In primary schools SATS will be taking place, and at secondary level, GCSE’s and A.S. levels. We pray that you would be with the children and young people involved, especially those who find exam stress hard to bear. May they receive support to remain calm and focused instead of being overwhelmed by anxiety. May they have confidence instead of self- doubt, so they can perform to their best. We pray for every child to know they are valued whatever their attainment levels. God you desire for all to flourish in body, mind and spirit. Alongside all their learning, may every child have the opportunity to learn about you and your love.

Lord in your mercy, hear our prayer.

11th May

Dear God, we thank you for all the good news we can celebrate about children and young people. Jesus taught us: Truly I tell you, anyone who will not receive the kingdom of God like a little child will never enter it.” And he took the children in his arms, placed his hands on them and blessed them.

Help us to have eyes to see, ears to hear and hearts to love all the children and young people we know. Amen.

18th May

Creator God

You have made us all and you love us all. We give you thanks for children and young people who think differently and are neurodivergent. Especially for anyone who is on the autistic spectrum. Such a range, a three-dimensional rainbow of abilities and disabilities! Thank you for the talents, insights and alternative perspectives people with autism can bring. We pray for us all to understand more of the needs and gifts of children with ASC (autistic spectrum condition). We pray too for the many autistic children who also have sensory processing disorder and can experience light, taste, or sound as painful, or who crave more

sensory stimulation than ordinary life provides. And for those who feel lonely and misunderstood and in consequence suffer from anxiety and related issues. We pray also for children who are not able to talk for years beyond the typical time. We recognise how difficult life can be when we cannot communicate our needs and the big effect this has on mental health. Be with all those working to aid communication with people of any age who find it difficult to speak, hear or communicate.

May our governments come to understand and appreciate the needs of children, young people and adults with these conditions and to properly resource the support systems.

We pray for parents and carers who often feel very poorly supported and isolated. And for siblings who are affected too by the lack of support, and those who become young carers. Help us all to learn and care and share and be part of one world together.

Lord in your mercy, hear our prayer Amen.

25th May

Loving God

We bring to you the many children, young people and adults who long for help with their attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD). The waiting lists can extend for years. And then when a diagnosis is given, there is still a very lengthy wait for the medicine that helps 80% of people with this condition. Help our governments to make this need more of a priority. Help doctors to care and understand the condition. Help us all to understand this a little more, and appreciate that not all our brains work in the same way.

We pray for the children and young people who find it difficult to stay focused on a task or control their impulses to move about and who in consequence often have trouble learning and relating to others. Some are at higher risk of accidents because of this condition. Help us as a country and as communities to create safe and welcoming spaces for all our young people.

Help us as churches not to judge the behaviour of others, especially children, and to do all we can to support parents and carers.

Lord in your mercy, hear our prayer. Amen.

This month the prayers have been written by Hester Ayling, Judith Ellis, and Jane Jolly

1st June Exams

Father God,

We place into your hands all those children and young people who are in the midst of exam season. We pray for them as they prepare for and sit their exams. We pray against nerves and fear, and we pray that you would surround them with your peace. Father God, we pray for children who are worried, anxious or stressed that you would calm them. We pray for those who feel underprepared or under pressure that they would know your peace. We pray that they would all know that their value and worth is not found in their exam performance but in the individual you have created them to be.

We also pray for the teachers, parents and carers supporting them. We pray that they would have patience and that you would give them the right words to speak over their young people. We ask that you would help them to know how to encourage and what not to say at this stressful time. Father, we ask these prayers in your name, and we entrust these children and young people into your love and care. Amen

8th June Anxiety

Father God,

We pray for children who struggle with anxiety. We pray that your peace that surpasses all understanding would be with them each morning. We pray for protection for all, from the little children who suffer separation anxiety from their parents when they are parted, to teenagers anxious about friendships, relationships, exams and the future. We pray against anxiety and panic attacks and we also pray for teachers, health care professionals and parents who work to support children struggling with anxiety for whatever reason.

We ask that you would help the children know that you care for them and love them and that they can trust you with their worries and anxieties.

Father, we ask these prayers in your name, and we entrust these children and young people into your love and care. Amen

15th June For Children and Young People in Care

Lord, our heavenly and eternal Father, we remember before you all babies, children and young people growing up ‘in care’ and being looked after by people who are not their birth family.

We pray for children who have experienced the trauma of neglect and ask that they receive love in abundance.

We pray for those who have been sexually or emotionally abused and exploited. We ask for great kindness and understanding to be shown.

For those who have been traumatised by witnessing or receiving violence, we ask for them to be surrounded by peace.

For those who have experienced hunger we ask for plentiful food, and the security of knowing there will always be food.

For all children who have experienced the trauma of separation from loved and trusted adults, we ask that they learn to trust and are enabled to achieve full physical, mental and emotional development.

We thank you, loving Father, for the many social workers, carers, teachers and volunteers who are showing children a way of love, kindness and understanding. We ask that by your presence with such adults, the children and young people’s minds will be opened to experience and receive a way of life that is not neglectful, abusive, violent of hungry; that they will know they are loved and valued.

Above all we ask that all adults connected with children living in the social care system continue to show these children that greatest gift of love.

In Jesus name we pray, Amen.

22nd June Young People leaving the Care System

Dear Lord and our Father, our prayers today for young people are for those who are leaving the care system and finding their own way in the world.

We thank you for the many recognised carers and their families who welcome the young person to remain as a part of their family.

For the young people who must move we ask for loving adults to guide them and help them find wisdom in the choices they make. We ask for love, kindness and understanding to be shown them as they make their way into adulthood. For many young people this is an exciting time but for others it can be the bleakest. We ask that you enclose each one of them in a bubble of love and protection.

We trust you, O God, to put sympathetic adults in the way of these young people, and we fervently ask that they be protected from all forces of evil.

Through Jesus Christ our Lord, Amen

29th June Parents

Loving God, today we bring to you parents who are anxious about the mental health of their children. We think especially of those whose children are on a waiting list for treatment. Relieve them of the stress and the worries that they have. We pray for the success of those who are trying to bring waiting lists down so that many more children can receive the treatment they so badly need.

We thank you for the support offered by the charity “Young Minds”. Thank you that through their website youngminds.org.uk and via their helpline, they are able to help and advise young people, and their parents and carers. We pray that you will bless the work that Young Minds does and that more parents and carers will be made aware of this charity. We ask these prayers in the name of Jesus Christ, our Lord and Saviour.

Amen.

Our prayers this month have been written by Revd Roger Smith, Jean Snaith, and Michael Johnston.

6th July Prayer for children in hospital or suffering serious illness

Jesus, friend of children,

we pray for all children in hospital or suffering serious illness.

For children who are scared and in pain, bring comfort;

for parents who are besides themselves with worry, grant strength;

for doctors, nurses and all carers, give wisdom.

Jesus, hold all little ones in your care.

13th July Action for Children Sunday

Father God, we pray that every child and young person should be safe. We pray they experience a happy childhood and the foundations they need to survive. We pray for charities which help to support children and young people. On this Action for Children Sunday we especially thank you for the success of the Blues Programme which they have delivered in 380 schools, to more than 13,700 young people, helping children develop emotional resilience. A high proportion of participating children have reported increased self- confidence and self- esteem, improved relationships in school and among family and friends, and greater involvement in their learning. They have been helped to feel comfortable in talking about their mental health.

We thank you God for the opportunities that Action for Children have had in the UK. We continue to pray for all those who deliver the programmes, who plan the programmes and to those who receive the programmes. We pray for continued strength and wisdom as they reach more young people. We pray for their own emotional resilience and health. Help them to always be a light in the darkness and to know the darkness will not overcome it. Amen

July 20th

"The Lord's my shepherd, I'll not want; He makes me lie in pastures green. He leads me by the still, still waters, His goodness restores my soul.

And I will trust in You alone, And I will trust in You alone,

For Your endless mercy follows me, Your goodness will lead me home"

Lord God, we thank you for your goodness and mercy. We thank you for all our homes. We thank you for the warmth, comfort, love and joy that makes a house a home.

Jesus we pray for those where home does not feel very safe, or loving or joyous. We pray for those children and young people where home does not feel very homely at all. We think particularly at this time as schools break up for 6-7 weeks for summer for those where anywhere but home is their respite. Summer can feel like an eternity where it is the last place you want to be. Help us Lord to remember those who struggle at home. We pray they may find peace and goodness in you and find a spiritual home in you. May they feel your loving arms wrapped around them and give them a hug so many are desperate for. We pray Lord that you may open our eyes, ears and hearts to those in our community where we can help in whatever way that may be. Let us never take our own homes for granted. Amen

27th July

Loving God, we pray today for all the school leavers now embarking on the first steps in the next phase of their lives.

Some may be going on to college or university and are anxiously awaiting their exam results to determine the direction they might go. Give them the hope, strength and the wisdom to make those important decisions.

We think also of young people leaving college or university to embark on their future careers or perhaps taking a gap year and exploring your amazing planet. We pray that they make wise and informed decisions and have good support networks in place.

We pray these things in the name of Jesus Christ. Amen

Writers Jean Snaith and Viv Pitts

August 3rd

Dear Lord, we pray for children, young people and families during the summer school holidays. For some this can be a very difficult time when families must provide more meals and childcare which can be a financial challenge for some.

We pray especially for those children who would normally have a free school lunch, and we think of and give thanks for agencies and charities who provide extra support and holiday clubs for some children and young people.

Many churches are also arranging activities for children, and we pray for all these groups and hope that there are volunteers from within the churches to help support these and to support the children and young people’s workers throughout our circuit.

We pray that all children have a wonderful time and a break away from school, whilst making great memories for the future.

In God’s name, Amen

August 10th

Lord many young people are now awaiting their exam results, A levels and GCSE’s which come out very soon. In this time of waiting we especially pray for those who are anxious and stressed. For some, their hopes for onward progress depend on the grades they achieve, and much is at stake. We pray for those who will celebrate success and for those who will face disappointment. Lord we pray for every young person to flourish and reach their potential. May all find support and guidance when they need it. Lord in your mercy, hear our prayer.

These prayers have been written by Fi Thomson

August 10th

Heavenly Father, We lift before You all the young people who will soon receive their A-Level and GCSE results. Surround them with Your unshakable love as they take this next step on their journey. Where there is joy and celebration, let Your light shine brightly, filling their hearts with gratitude and hope. Where there is disappointment or uncertainty, bring Your comfort and peace, reminding them that their future is safe in Your hands.

Loving Lord, go before them and guide their steps. For those facing confusion or doubt about which path to take, be their compass and their guiding light. Make a way where they cannot yet see a way, and give them courage to follow the plans You have prepared for them.

Father God, we also bring to You the pressure and expectations that weigh heavily on so many young hearts. Remind them that they are loved and cherished by You—not because of results or achievements, but simply because they are Your children. Let them know that their worth and identity are found in Christ alone.

We entrust every young person into Your care, believing that You hold their future, and that Your plans for them are good.

In Jesus’ name, Amen.

August 17th

Heavenly Father, We come before You with grateful hearts, thanking You for the gift of education and the opportunities that lie before our young people. Today, we lift up all those stepping into a new chapter of their lives, beginning their journey at university.

Lord, we pray for those who are moving to new cities and campuses, stepping into a world that feels both exciting and uncertain. Surround them with Your presence. Help them to settle into unfamiliar surroundings, guard their hearts from loneliness, and bless them with friendships that uplift and encourage them. Let them find a sense of belonging wherever You have placed them.

We bring before You those who are currently navigating clearing, seeking a place at university. Father, we know this can be a time of uncertainty and stress. Bring Your peace to their hearts, provide clarity in their decisions, and open the doors that are meant for them. May they know that You are the God who makes a way even when the path feels uncertain.

For those who were unable to secure a place, or the funding to attend university, we pray for comfort and assurance. Remind them that their worth is not defined by opportunities missed or by the plans that seem to have changed. Speak Your truth over their lives—that their future is held securely in Your loving hands, and that You walk beside them through both joy and disappointment.

We also lift up the students returning to university. Thank You for the friendships they will rekindle and the knowledge they will continue to pursue. Grant them joy in the familiar and courage for the challenges of a new academic year. Protect them in mind, body, and spirit, and guide them in all they do.

Finally, Lord, we pray for the families and loved ones watching their young people step into this next season. Bring peace to their hearts, and help them to trust that You are watching over the ones they love, even when they are far from home.

Father, in every joy and in every trial, let our young people know that they are never alone. May they walk into this new season with faith, courage, and the assurance that Your plans for them are good.

In Jesus’ name we pray, Amen.

August 24th

Heavenly Father, We come before You today with compassion and concern for families preparing to send their children back to school. Lord, You see the hidden struggles, the worry, and the burden that many carry as they face the cost of new uniforms, shoes, and supplies.

We lift up every parent and guardian who is anxious about making ends meet. Bring Your peace to their hearts and provide for their needs in ways only You can. Open doors for financial help, generous support from communities, and unexpected blessings that lighten their load.

Lord, we pray for the children in these families. Protect their hearts from worry or shame, and remind them that their value is not found in what they wear but in who You say they are—loved, chosen, and precious in Your sight.

We ask that schools, churches, and communities would come together in generosity, sharing resources so that no child feels left out and no parent feels alone. Let this season be one of compassion, kindness, and hope.

Finally, Father, remind us all that You are our great provider. We trust You to meet the needs of every family and to bring peace where there is pressure, and joy where there is stress.

In Jesus’ name, Amen.

August 31st

Heavenly Father, As a new school term begins, we lift to You all our young people, their families, and the teachers and staff who guide and support them. Thank You for the gift of education and for the opportunity to learn and grow.

We pray for every child and young person returning to school. Fill them with courage for the year ahead, joy in learning, and confidence in who You have made them to be. For those starting new schools or classes, ease their worries and surround them with kindness and friendship.

Lord, we bring before You the young people who live with mental health struggles or have special educational needs and disabilities. You know that the return to school can feel overwhelming and hard. Wrap them in Your loving presence, give them strength for each day, and place around them teachers and friends who will show patience, understanding, and care.

We lift up families carrying the weight of these transitions—balancing routines, responsibilities, and sometimes worry. Grant them peace, patience, and encouragement, knowing You walk with them through every challenge.

We pray for teachers, support staff, and all who work in schools. Bless them with wisdom, energy, and compassion as they nurture and guide the next generation. Give them strength on difficult days and joy in the moments where they see children flourish.

Lord, we ask that every classroom would be a place of safety, kindness, and growth. Let this new school year be filled with learning, friendship, and hope.

In Jesus’ name, Amen.

The prayers this month have been written by Michael Johnstone, Alison Smith, Liz Day, and Viv Pitts

September 7th A prayer for good friendships

Dear Lord,

We thank you that in you we have an eternal friend, and like the old hymn we can take everything to you in prayer. We pray for those who are starting school, whether primary, secondary, or college, and for those moving to a new school or area. We pray that they can find a support network and a group of friends who are enriching and supportive. We pray they settle quickly. We pray for those who struggle to connect with others or make friends; may they find somebody who they can turn to, whether that be a trusted member of staff or another student. We pray particularly for those students who are by themselves during social times like break and lunch. Help them to be noticed and seen and for others to show kindness and compassion to them. We thank you for all those friends who have stuck by us over the years and we pray for all our children and young people that they may find friends who will stick by them also.

We pray this in your name

Amen

September 14th A prayer for children who find school difficult

God of truth and wholeness,

we give thanks for our local schools

and offer our prayers for all staff and pupils.

Today we pray especially for children who find school difficult,

whether this is a phase or all the time.

Help teaching staff find creative, caring and imaginative approaches

to include students who cannot engage with the mainstream curriculum.

Give those in the leadership roles the courage to do things differently for the sake of those who are struggling. Teach us all to include those on the margins. Amen

September 21st For young people struggling with a negative body image

Genesis 1 : 27

‘So God created humankind in his image, in the image of God he created them.’

Psalm 139 : 13 – 14

‘For it was you who formed my inward parts; you knit me together in my mother’s womb. I praise you, for I am fearfully and wonderfully made’

Let us pray for young people who are struggling with mental heath issues which stem from negative body image and low self esteem.

We pray that they may come to know self acceptance and learn of God’s unconditional love for every human being. May they realise that they are ‘wonderfully made’, individual and loved to the uttermost.

Let us pray for resilience for those who look to unrealistic body images on social media and seek to emulate them. May strength and self confidence be found to resist pressures in society to look a certain way.

May we all learn to thank you Loving God that we are fearfully and wonderfully made in your image.

Amen

September 28th for Methodist youth work and 3Gen

Lord, you bade even little children to come to you. You lifted them up and blessed them. We bring before you all the work with children and young people undertaken by Methodist Churches. Especially at this time we pray for 3Gen, the Connexion- wide event taking place in Birmingham from Friday to Sunday this week. Thank you Lord for that vision to bring together so many young people practising or exploring Christian faith. Please protect and bless this event Lord. Grant safe journeys to all those attending. Thank you for all the creativity and hard work which will have gone in to planning the programme, and for all the staff and volunteers who will be working hard to deliver it and look after the children. May every child or young person return home with happy memories and a surer knowledge that they are precious in your sight. May they have continuing opportunities to learn and grow in faith. Lord in your mercy, hear our prayer

The prayers this month have been written by Revd Cameron Stirk, Hester Ayling and Viv Pitts

October 5th

Loving Lord, the one who sees us as we truly are, thank you for making each young person in your image and likeness. Thank you for the complexity and richness of diversity and the rainbow hued peoples that you have created. Help all young people who face questions about their identity at this time. As they have been shaped by others, may they learn from those experienced voices whilst shaping their own path forward. As they struggle with the questions of: 'who I am', 'where am I from' and 'how should I live' give them boldness and integrity to be faithful to their true selves. May they be protected from hurtful comments and limiting prejudices as they flourish and grow into the people you have intended them to be. May we create living church communities that accept and include all people for who they truly are.

In Jesus' name we pray. Amen.

October 12th

Father God, We want to pray for Christian Unions and those students and staff that help to run and sustain them across the country. We pray for growth and wisdom amongst the leadership teams. We pray that students would feel welcome and safe when they come along to the groups and events. We want to particularly pray for those students feeling isolated or anxious at school and university, we pray that the Christian unions would be a place of sanctuary for them. We pray that they would experience the friendship and love that Jesus shows us through the work of the Christian Unions. We thank you for all those that volunteer their time to run them and reach out to students both with and without a faith. We pray against any hostility towards the Christians events organised in schools and universities. And we pray for your protection for each of the individuals involved with and served by them.

In Jesus name we pray. Amen

October 19th

Dear Lord, We cannot imagine what it is like to be a young refugee alone in the world. Unsafe, anxious about the future, needing love and protection, acceptance, friends, yet sometimes finding abuse, exploitation, rejection, even hate. We cannot imagine what journeys they have travelled and what conditions they have lived in. We pray for those young people who have had to leave their homes and families, perhaps they have lost their family. Some hope if they make a better life they will be able to support their family. We lament their lost childhood, the carapace of bravery and strength they may be forced to put on to protect themselves, while inside they feel bereft and afraid.

Lord may their needs as children be recognised. May they find kindness and support to rebuild their lives, and achieve their potential. God, who desires all to know life in its abundance, bring hope to drive out sadness, and heal damaged minds.

Lord in your mercy, hear our prayer.

October 26th

We pray today for young carers, who though children, have had to take on very grown up responsibilities to help care for someone at home. They may be burdened with anxiety for their loved one, and may have had to lose their own opportunities for leisure, self- development, and time with friends. Let them not be friendless and unnoticed Lord, but supported and helped. We thank you for the organisations which reach out to children in these situations and look after their wellbeing. Awake the conscience of the nation Lord, to relieve the burdens placed on young shoulders. May we strive to ensure all children are supported to grow and develop, fulfil their potential, and experience joy in their lives.

Lord in your mercy, hear our prayer.

The prayers this month have been written by Elizabeth Hall and Viv Pitts

November 02nd

We pray for children being hit too hard; facing too much hurt or deliberate damage. For children who have parents who punish without love; children suffering fear, pain, and sometimes even death. We bring this tragedy to you, and remember all those who work with such tragedies, who suffer the damage within themselves. May your tender care enfold all who need your guidance and your love. We pray that you will help us each to play our part, to light a candle and to spread your love.

Lord in your mercy, hear our prayer.

November 09th

We pray for parents - women or men - who face threats, violence or even death at the hands of their partner, whilst trying to protect their little ones. We pray too for the children in such families: scared, bewildered, growing up confused; too little to protect their parent; growing up, but carrying a growing burden of anger mixed with fear, and so much confusion about how to keep themselves and their families safe. May your tender care enfold all who need your guidance and your love. We pray that you will help us each to play our part, to light a candle and to spread your love.

Lord in your mercy, hear our prayer

November 16th

This week we pray for children facing the trauma of sexual abuse; learning about sex in a completely wrong way; one of your great gifts to us, O God, turned to fear, horror, shame and pain. We pray for all families who deny or seek to hide such horrors. We pray for churches, schools, sports clubs or dance classes and other places where children gather, places created for joy but that can be hiding horror instead. We seek your help; please give us eyes to see, ears to hear and hearts to love, plus your wisdom and courage to intervene whenever needed. May your tender care reach all children who so desperately need to know your love. We pray that you will help each one of us to play our part, to light a candle and to spread your love.

Lord in your mercy, hear our prayer

November 23rd

Today in our prayers we remember children who, as they have grown, have learned to act and to play with violence. Children with knives, with guns, children in gangs, children who bully. We pray that your love may reach them and change them as they grow; that your tenderness may hold them in their fear; and your world become for them a place of peace, of joy, and of love.

Lord in your mercy, hear our prayer

November 30th

We pray for children whom the authorities have taken away from an abusing family and placed in care. We pray for their grief and confusion to be healed. For them to feel safe and receive help to overcome their trauma. For them to learn a new pattern of what a healthy, loving family is. For their physical, emotional and intellectual development to make up for lost ground.

Lord in your mercy, hear our prayer.

December 07th

Today we pray for all children and young people who are suffering, who find it hard to hope, and also for those whose life holds little love. During this special Advent season, we thank you for the hope we are offered, and the promise of a baby, born in a stable, whose cry is your voice here on earth. May that hope reach all children and young people, and we pray that your love will light a candle flame of love and joy in all their hearts. Amen

December 14th

Today we pray for all children and young people whom we know and love. We thank

you for their ability to hope, to love, and to look forward with joy. But at the same time, we pray especially for those we know who are finding life tough for whatever reason. During this special Advent season, we thank you for the hope you have given all of us, the promise of a baby born in a stable, the cry of that tiny baby being your voice in the world. Amen

December 21st

Dear God, we come to you again during this time of waiting. This weekend we are almost there! Young children can find waiting so hard,

and all of us look forward

with joy to your birth, which we celebrate during this next week. We pray for all children and young people, that they may find the joy of Christmas lighting a candle in their lives. As this Advent season reaches its climax at Christmas, we thank you for the hope you have given us, the promise of that tiny baby, born in a stable, whose cry is your voice in the world. Amen

December 8th

God incarnate, Lord Jesus Christ, God's greatest gift to us, you were once a vulnerable baby sought after by tyrants, yet protected by loving parents and divine direction, through tribulation, as you were taken to another country as a refugee. We pray for love and protection for all children in such horrifying situations today and for those who seek to care for and protect them. In the midst of darkness and danger you were the gift of light and life, as hopeful yet precarious as a single candle flame. We thank you that each and every child born into this often dark and dangerous world is a reminder of the light of new life which brings both hope and vulnerability - each one a gift in its most fragile form. We remember today that all human life is fragile, physically, emotionally, spiritually and socially. As we recognise our shared vulnerability, we seek your love to help us live with compassion and care for one another. Help us to be gentle in all our interactions with others, honouring the sacredness of every life - especially those whose lives have been scarred by power that has been used to harm rather than protect. As we move into a new year help us to continue to pray for, protect, support and encourage all your precious children. We pray in the name of Emmanuel, God who is with us now and always. Amen.