Bold Prayers & Actions

Acts 4:23-32

If there was ever a time for boldness, it is now.  Those of us who care about children and work on behalf of children do not have the luxury of discouragement. There are still too many children in North America and around the world who are suffering, their needs ignored and their gifts squandered.  For the sake of children, what bold word will you speak this day?  What bold action will you perform this day that joins your life with God’s healing actions in the world?

Prayer

God of signs and wonders, shake us and fill us with your spirit so we may pray and act with such boldness that hearts will be softened and minds will be opened to your loving acts of justice and peace so needed in this time.  Amen.

Kaye Edwards

Church of the Covenant, UCC/Disciples

Lynchburg, Virginia

http://www.chcov.org

Live Long Life

Zechariah 8: 1-8

Zechariah tells God’s children that they will one day have a place to call home, where adults will no longer die young from disease and famine, and kids will live to play.  It would be refreshing to hear after years in exile. 

The message is just as needed today for God’s children who struggle and don’t have a good place to call home. God is faithful and righteous, especially to those who may have lost hope in the “system,” be that policymakers in government or education. God has not forgotten that all deserve the chance to live long healthy lives and with the knowledge to make the world a better place. 

Prayer

Redeeming God, Thank you for promising to care for us from youth to old age.  Help us to make quality of long life a necessity for all of your children, especially those who are at-risk of being dropped through the gaps by our policymakers.  Motivate us to action in word and deed, doing everything with you in our heads and hearts. Amen.

Rev. Sarah Renfro

Associate Minister for Families, Youth & Children

First Christian Church

Frankfort, Kentucky

http://www.1stchristianfrankfort.org

Problems Be Gone; Our Children are Stronger

Psalm 144:12-14

Together we can strengthen our children and protect them from all the evil of today. We can guide them through the tough streets, past the bullies, and help them overcome the fear of abduction. No one shall worry about those around them. No one shall fear the stranger coming close. We can make the children strong, so the community becomes so untouchable that no child or adult need fear the unknown. United we shall stand to free ourselves and our children of the worries of today’s society.  We can put an end to missing, hurting, and lonely children.

Prayer

Heavenly Father, we come to for your protection and guidance.  It is only through you that we, your children, can be truly safe and loved. We thank you so much for being so loving, understanding, and most importantly, protective of all your children, big and small.  Amen.

Michelle Brown

Children’s Director

Franklin Circle Christian Church Cleveland, Ohio

http://www.franklincirclechurch.org

The Quietest Voice

Psalm 72:1-4

http://bible.oremus.org/?ql=184907058

Politics have polarized our nation.  Whether you are left leaning or right leaning, a “yellow-dog democrat,” or a member of the Tea Party one thing we can all recognize is that politics have polarized our nation. Neighbor has been pitted against neighbor. 

Regardless of political affiliation, in this type of culture, it is easy for politicians to lose sight of the bigger picture and only respond to those who are the most vocal, those from whom she can benefit, or those who can provide him with financial support.  Our children need a leader who will “defend the cause of the poor of the people, give deliverance to the needy, and crush the oppressor.”  We need to remind our leaders to respond to those from whom they can get little immediate financial benefit, but those who need their attention most.

Prayer

God of the Oppressed, give our leaders your justice, and your righteousness.  Guide them to defend the cause of those who have the quietest voice.  Deliver those who speak on their behalf.  Show us all the ways of your justice. Amen.

Rev. Laura Phillips

Associate Minister

First Christian Church

Baton Rouge, Louisiana

http://www.fccbrla.org

Giving a Blessing of Experience

Genesis 48:15-16

A little more than twenty years ago I walked into my dorm for my freshman year of college. I was set on an adventure a thousand miles from home. I didn’t realize that cold September day that, that day was a blessing not just for me, but for my children. Studies tell us that children with parents who have graduated from high school are more likely to graduate from high school or college. That is a blessing, a blessing to be shared with other children. God calls us to mentor, nudge, and encourage others so they may also be blessed.

Prayer

As I walk through the day today, let me recognize my blessing. Remind me to bless others with encouragement, mentoring and faith in their success.

Pat Barton

Chalice Christian Church

Gilbert, Arizona

http://www.chalicechristian.com

Lost & Found

Luke 15:20-32

One day I walked into 7th grade science class to find my swimsuit on the skeleton used to teach the bones of the body. I told my mother I lost it. It was too humiliating to claim it at the “lost and found”. Children suffer humiliation every day in public schools when they make mistakes. Phillip Brown of Rutgers University wrote, “Bullying can be defined as instances in which the core ethical value of respect for the integrity and dignity of the individual is questioned or denied through various forms of humiliation.”

Prayer

God who is like a loving Father, we pray for children who are victims of bullying. We pray that our public schools become caring communities where adults create an environment of mutual respect. Amen.

Rev. Laurel Ragland

First Christian Church

Claremore, Oklahoma

http://www.claremoredisciples.com

Walking with Children

Luke 2: 41-52

We assume that faith formation is about prayer in public schools or Sunday School classes in which we pour information into children. It is about neither. Children are on a spiritual journey just as each adult is on a spiritual journey. Just as Jesus had his own relationship with God, each child has a relationship with God. 

When we walk with our children on their journeys we cease to argue about prayer in schools. We talk to the children in our lives (our own, those in our churches) about where they saw God during their hectic days of high-pressure tests, social challenges, and learning tasks.

Prayer

God of Presence, remind us that just as you were with Jesus, you are with each of our children. Help us to gently guide their understanding by listening to their experience of you. Amen.

Rev. Tim Graves

Embracing

Portland, Oregon 

http://www.EmbracingPDX.org

Receive & Give

Luke 18:15-17

Watching my three-year-old son receive gifts on his birthday, I had a glimpse of what it means to receive the kingdom of God as a little child.  My son was filled with wonder and amazement even at the simplest of gifts. We are called to receive God’s reign with the same amazement, and welcome all as are part of the reign of God.  As the church, we need to bless and pray for our teachers and educational leaders, that they might have the resources they need to welcome all of God’s children, for whom the reign of God belongs.

Prayer

Rabbi Jesus, our Teacher, may Your blessing be upon all of our teachers and educational leaders; may we be a blessing in our gifts, time and talent to all Your children. Amen.

Rev. Mindi Welton-Mitchell

Member

First Christian Church

Durant, Oklahoma

http://www.durantfcc.com

Seeing Only Friends

Isaiah 11:1-9

We are living in a society that is, perhaps, more polarized than ever before.  The political, economic, social, and religious landscape has tragically been divided into “us” and “them,” with little room and much criticism for any who seek common ground “in the middle.”  Thank God our children still instinctively know differently!  

Isaiah’s grand vision of the world as God sees it shows us how children know no enemies, only friends.  May we, likewise, be reminded that it is God’s intentions that peace prevail and all are included.

Prayer

O Prince of Peace, we pray that we might learn from our children ways of listening to those who have been labeled our “enemies,” and work diligently to be harbingers of the peaceable commonwealth for which you so dearly long. Amen.

Rev. Allen V. Harris

Pastor

Franklin Circle Christian Church Cleveland, Ohio

http://www.franklincirclechurch.org

Most Important Meal of the Day

John 6:1-11

For years, my father has always reminded me to eat breakfast, “it is the most important meal of the day.”  However, as an adult, the busyness of the morning seems to win out making breakfast a cup of coffee and a granola bar.  While a busy or hectic morning are to blame for my poor breakfast habits, many children have no choice but to skip breakfast. Breakfast helps children pay attention, problem-solve tasks, and recall, but only if you are able to eat breakfast.  

Even though there were towns where the people could feed themselves, Jesus insisted on the disciples providing for the people, giving 5 loaves and 2 fish to well over 5000.  

We cannot demand that children are “sent elsewhere” for this important meal. We need to find our 5 loaves and 2 fish so that we might be able to feed the 11.5 million children in the National School breakfast program, providing for all aspects of a child’s education.

Prayer

Providing God, help us remember the entire picture of a child’s education.  Guide us in the ways we are to speak for nutrition and healthy lifestyle, as part of a quality education, made available to all of your children. We are their voices. Amen.

Rev. Laura Phillips, Associate Minister

First Christian Church

Baton Rouge, Louisiana

http://www.fccbrla.org

No Excuses

Mark 9:16-27

At three, Michael arrived in foster care. His mom was in jail, a meth addict. His twelve-year-old sister was on the run with grandma. Michael was terrified of bugs, hid food in pockets.  He never received a gift, celebrated anything. 

Michael had demons, impure spirits, fits of rage. 

He also gave the best hugs. His foster parents cried out to all for help for Michael. They believed. But days with Michael, and children like him, are hard. Often society avoids, disregards, or throws them away. Jesus reminds there are no excuses. He reminds Michael’s foster parents that everything is possible.

The last time I saw Michael was at his adoption ceremony. His journey was still just beginning, but he had been taken by the hand. 

Prayer

Loving God, Give us the faith to insist on justice and strength to believe as we face trying times in caring for children. Amen.

Pat Barton

Chalice Christian Church

Gilbert, Arizona

http://www.chalicechristian.com

Talking Back to Jesus

Mark 7: 24-30

Have we ever been the Syrophoenician woman, the parent who will stop at nothing to heal her child?  Who won’t take no for an answer, even from God-incarnate himself?  Yes, we would do anything to stop the suffering of our own, advocate to the highest authority, crossing enemy lines, talking back to the teacher who isn’t having a good day!  


All of God’s children deserve to have someone speak up for them, travel across boundaries, refusing a refusal, and never giving up hope that they shall be cared for.
  

Prayer

Parenting God, Instill in us the ability to care for your children, even those that live on the wrong side of the tracks.  Even when our demands are rejected, help us to continue to speak up and speak out, knowing that you are with us encouraging and empowering us to care for our little ones, who are sick and need your healing.  


May we have the strength, determination, courage, and hope of this mother of another time and place.

Amen.

Rev. Sarah Renfro

Associate Minister for Families, Youth & Children

First Christian Church

Frankfort, Kentucky

http://www.1stchristianfrankfort.org

Having Faith

Mark 5:35-42

In this day and age, faith is a very rare commodity. We are all so busy worrying about the stresses of life that we forget to look for the miracles. We allow our fears to consume us and our faith becomes absent.  We see things as they are by looking and listening to what others tell us. We must remember that faith lives in our hearts and to hear faith we must first listen to our hearts. 

Prayer

Heavenly Father, help us to remember that faith is in our hearts and we must listen with our hearts first. Let us remember that we must be open to faith and willing to look for the miracles all around us. Amen.

Angela Kern

Portland, Tennessee

Out of the Mouths of Babes, Children, & Youth

Jeremiah 1: 5-9

Overheard in the church bus on the way home from camp this summer: 

“Geez, now we have to go back home to reality and drama! Why can’t every day be like church camp?” 

This child began a lament of how her peers at school interact and how great the world would be if everyone acted like they did when they were at church camp. 

This is a challenge for us all, not so different today than in years past or even for the prophet, Jeremiah. Jeremiah says, “…I do not know how to speak, for I am only a boy.”  

We forget the magnificent role God has in our lives. We forget to let go and trust God to speak to us still. We forget to be still and listen before we act in the world. We forget to speak to one another with the love of God.

Prayer

God, enable your people to listen for your still, small voice when it comes to us in the words of children. Speak to our children and empower them with knowledge that they, too, speak your words in the world. God, give us ears to hear and eyes to see your presence. Amen.

Rev. Tracy Parker

First Christian Church (Disciples of Christ)

Paris, Kentucky

http://www.firstchristianparisky.com

Little David Plays on that Harp

I Samuel 16:14-23

According to VH1’s Save the Music Foundation, research has shown that music education increases brainpower. Students who play an instrument are more engaged in academic activities and are less likely to drop out. In August, the National Association for Music Education reported that the debt ceiling cuts will impact classroom music education with “draconian” measures. Perhaps David’s example shows us that music changes lives?

Prayer

We praise you, God, with trumpet sound, with lute and harp! Many of us have enjoyed the benefits of piano lessons and band classes. Make us advocates for the melody of the spheres to endure in the lives of children. Amen.

Rev. Laurel Ragland

First Christian Church

Claremore, Oklahoma

http://www.claremoredisciples.com