September 30: Thoughts on God's love from Camryn

Week of September 27 This message (God’s message) is about a special time in the future. This message is about the end, and it will come true. Just be patient and wait for it. That time will come; it will not be late. This message cannot help those who refuse to listen to it, but those who are good will live because they believe it.   - Habbakuk 2:3-4

What is God's message? How do we listen to God?

"I think God's message is that everything is going to be alright and that he loves us. Also he wants us to love each other and to be kind. You can listen to God by praying, and being in a quiet room by yourself, and listening really hard."

Camryn, Age 10
Tylersville Road Christian Church
Mason, Ohio

September 29: A drawing from Cason

Week of September 27 This message (God’s message) is about a special time in the future. This message is about the end, and it will come true. Just be patient and wait for it. That time will come; it will not be late. This message cannot help those who refuse to listen to it, but those who are good will live because they believe it.   - Habbakuk 2:3-4

What is God's message? How do we listen to God?

"We have to listen to God because he is our teacher. We have to listen because we have to. 

God wants us to work. God wants us to work at church and camp. God wants us to love."

Cason, Age 2.5 
First Christian Church
Lawrenceburg, Kentucky

September 28: Words from Olivia

Week of September 27 This message (God’s message) is about a special time in the future. This message is about the end, and it will come true. Just be patient and wait for it. That time will come; it will not be late. This message cannot help those who refuse to listen to it, but those who are good will live because they believe it.   - Habbakuk 2:3-4

What is God's message? How do we listen to God?

"Gods message to me is like a scavenger hunt. I start off then god comes to me to lead the way. I go where god leads me and on the way see gods face through people, animals, and their joy, despair and hope. Gods message is the light in our candle, the fierce wind in a tornado and the hope just below the surface. We sense god everywhere but we rarely feel gods presence till afterwards." 

 - Olivia, Age 11
Land of the Sky United Church of Christ
Asheville, North Carolina

September 27: A message from Matthew

Week of September 27 This message (God’s message) is about a special time in the future. This message is about the end, and it will come true. Just be patient and wait for it. That time will come; it will not be late. This message cannot help those who refuse to listen to it, but those who are good will live because they believe it.   - Habbakuk 2:3-4

What is God's message? How do we listen to God?

"God is with us in baby Jesus. God sends promise in the rainbow. God is with us in the bread and cup. God is present in the burning bush. God is Love." 

Matthew, Age 6
United Disciples Christian Church
Richardson, Texas 

September 26: Children need homes and food

Week of September 20 People are stealing things and hurting others. They are arguing and fighting. Why do you make me look at these terrible things?  - Habbakuk 1:3

How do we help the 14.7 million poor children in our country? What about those in the world? How does God feel about poor children? 

Children need homes and food. Without them they are sad.

Brooke, Age 8
Central Reformed Church
Grand Rapids, Michigan

September 25: Words from Nicholas

Week of September 20 People are stealing things and hurting others. They are arguing and fighting. Why do you make me look at these terrible things?  - Habbakuk 1:3

How do we help the 14.7 million poor children in our country? What about those in the world? How does God feel about poor children? 

 "God feels sad about poor children. God should help the poor children go to place where there is fruit and vegetables and a house where a hermit lives. We should stop arresting poor people for doing nothing wrong. We should cook food for them, help them grow with care and love."

Nicholas, Age 9 
Land of the Sky United Church of Christ 
Asheville, North Carolina

September 24: Words from Luke

Week of September 20 People are stealing things and hurting others. They are arguing and fighting. Why do you make me look at these terrible things?  - Habbakuk 1:3

How do we help the 14.7 million poor children in our country? What about those in the world? How does God feel about poor children? 

"We help the poor children in our country by trying to give them the most productive start that we can. Many kids my age help children at less fortunate schools by teaching them and reading to them. Two of my friends work with children who just came into our country to improve their English. There are many programs that churches utilize that help support poor children all over the world with food, clothes, and other items that every child should have. God loves poor children like he would anyone else." 

Luke, Age 16 
Douglass Boulevard Christian Church 
Louisville, KY 
 

Art by Ingrid, Age 4 
Central Reformed Church
Grand Rapids, Michigan

September 23: Children need a warm house

Week of September 20 People are stealing things and hurting others. They are arguing and fighting. Why do you make me look at these terrible things?  - Habbakuk 1:3

How do we help the 14.7 million poor children in our country? What about those in the world? How does God feel about poor children? 

 Children need a warm house.

Anonymous

Central Reformed Church
Grand Rapids, Michigan

September 22: A prayer from Courtney

Week of September 20 People are stealing things and hurting others. They are arguing and fighting. Why do you make me look at these terrible things?  - Habbakuk 1:3

How do we help the 14.7 million poor children in our country? What about those in the world? How does God feel about poor children? 

"God feels sad that there are children who don't have everything they need to have a happy life. God needs us to help others. We can help parents find jobs. We can help get the kids to school so they can get a good education. Then they can get a good job when they are older. God wants us to share with everyone and to not be selfish and keep everything to ourselves. Some people are in difficult situations and just need hep. I have a friend who had to live in a hotel because they couldn't find a house to live in. I also have friends who get food every Friday for the weekend. And I also know kids at school who come hungry because they didn't have breakfast. It makes me feel sad that others are going hungry while I have more than enough. We need to love others just like God loves us. Dear God, Please help those in need. Please us to understand what others are going through so that we may help them. Please help us to share all that we have with others. Please help us to love others as you love us. Amen"

Courtney, Age 10 
Overland Park Christian Church 
Overland Park, Kansas

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 A house for children who don't have one.

Ben, Age 6
Central Reformed Church
Grand Rapids, Michigan

September 21: We can all help

Week of September 20 People are stealing things and hurting others. They are arguing and fighting. Why do you make me look at these terrible things?  - Habbakuk 1:3

How do we help the 14.7 million poor children in our country? What about those in the world? How does God feel about poor children? 

"God thinks everyone should be treated the same way. All children are beloved children of God. Nobody should suffer. There are many that have enough money to help, but greed stops them. If they cared more about the children that don’t have enough money, clothes, or food and less about money I believe they would help. God told us to love our neighbor as ourself. How can we love our neighbor if we see them hungry and do nothing to help them. We need to listen to what God says and follow his words. God wants us to do better. I believe we can do better if we follow God more. We can all help."

Emma-Leigh, Age 9 (with help from Mandy)
Canton Christian Church
Canton, Missouri 

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Drawing by Reese
3rd grade
Central Reformed Church
Grand Rapids, Michigan

(Children need good food. Reese is offering the children chickens from her yard.) 

September 20: A prayer from Stephanie

Week of September 20 People are stealing things and hurting others. They are arguing and fighting. Why do you make me look at these terrible things?  - Habbakuk 1:3

How do we help the 14.7 million poor children in our country? What about those in the world? How does God feel about poor children? 

"Dear Lord, please help stop as much as violence as possible. Because I feel like it is setting a role for todays children. Amen."

Stephanie, Age 11
United Disciples Christian Church
Richardson, Texas

 

September 19: What children need

Week of September 13 God, I continue to ask for help. When will you listen to me? I cried to you about the violence, but you did nothing!   - Habbakuk 1:2

"Children who cry out need love, food, water, the Sunshine to warm them and grass to play in and the Holy Spirit to surround them."

Anonymous
Central Reformed Church
Grand Rapids, Michigan

September 18: A drawing from Lauren

Week of September 13 God, I continue to ask for help. When will you listen to me? I cried to you about the violence, but you did nothing!  - Habbakuk 1:2

Do you have a story about a time when no one would listen? Did God listen?

 

A time when it felt like parents weren’t listening, but God was. 

Lauren, Age 7
Central Reformed Church
Grand Rapids, Michigan

September 17: Crying out to God

Week of September 13 God, I continue to ask for help. When will you listen to me? I cried to you about the violence, but you did nothing!   - Habbakuk 1:2

Do you have a story about a time when no one would listen? Did God listen? 

Anonymous
Central Reformed Church
Grand Rapids, Michigan 

People crying out to God to listen to them.

Anonymous 
Central Reformed Church
Grand Rapids, Michigan 

September 16: A story from Hadley

Week of September 13 God, I continue to ask for help. When will you listen to me? I cried to you about the violence, but you did nothing!   - Habbakuk 1:2

"Once my dad taught me how to ride a bike. I kept riding and daddy was there to help me and I kept falling and daddy kept helping me up!"

Hadley, Age 9 
Central Christian Church
Lexington, Kentucky 

September 15: Words from Fatima

Week of September 13 God, I continue to ask for help. When will you listen to me? I cried to you about the violence, but you did nothing!   - Habbakuk 1:2

"God is everywhere, do not be afraid. Life is hard in general, everybody has their own problems. Grab the spirt of the Lord and forgive."

Fatima, Age 13

United Disciples Christian Church
Richardson, Texas

September 14: A story from Riley & Vaylen

Week of September 13
God, I continue to ask for help. When will you listen to me? I cried to you about the violence, but you did nothing!  
- Habbakuk 1:2

Do you have a story about a time when no one would listen? Did God listen?

"During a storm a while ago I prayed to God that he would protect my family. The storm grew stronger and soon we were getting weather alerts for a tornado. I began praying more to God as we prepared for the tornado, getting to the lowest center level of the house. The storm continued on, but was dying down. Eventually the storm ended and we found out it was really just a bad thunderstorm. God had come through and had listened."

Riley, Age 13 
& drawing by Vaylen, Age 7 
Freedom Church 
Mount Sterling, Kentucky

September 13: A prayer from Evvie

Week of September 13

God, I continue to ask for help. When will you listen to me? I cried to you about the violence, but you did nothing!  - Habbakuk 1:2

Do you have a story about a time when no one would listen? Did God listen? 

"Many people cry for help and God is the only one who answers. When a member of our church wasn’t feeling very well I prayed many times. God answered my prayer and soon she felt much better. 

A lot of people don’t have food or shelter. No one listens to them because they assume they are doing something bad or they just think bad about them. A lot of those people who ask for help are answered by God. God sends caring people to them. Those caring people help them out. 

Dear God, Teach us to help others who really need our help. Let us know that there are many people in need of our help. Help us understand that we can help others and let them know that you will always listen. In your name we pray, Amen."

Evvie, Age 11

Saguaro Christian Church

Tuscon, Arizona

2015 Theme and Scriptures

How Long Must I Cry for Help? Bending the Arc toward God's Vision of Justice for Children

Welcome to the Light a Candle for Children Prayer Vigil for 2015. This year's vigil begins Sunday, September 13 and concludes on Sunday, October 18 (Children's Sabbath). 

The theme for National Observance of Children’s Sabbath is set each year by the Children’s Defense Fund. The theme this year is How Long Must I Cry for Help? Bending the Arc toward God's Vision of Justice for Children. A variety of materials to help you with your observance of Children’s Sabbath -- including a downloadable manual -- is available at http://www.childrensdefense.org/programs/faithbased/faith-based-action-programs-pages/childrens-sabbaths/National-Observance-of-Children-s-Sabbaths.html

The Light a Candle Prayer Vigil uses a different scripture and reflection questions each week. You may follow along each day with us online or reflect on these ahead of time with your own church group. 

Week of September 13

Scripture: Habbakuk 1:2: God, I continue to ask for help. When will you listen to me? I cried to you about the violence, but you did nothing!

Question: Do you have a story about a time when no one would listen? Did God listen?

Week of September 20

Scripture: Habbakuk 1:3: People are stealing things and hurting others. They are arguing and fighting. Why do you make me look at these terrible things?

Question: How do we help the 14.7 million poor children in our country? What about those in the world? How does God feel about poor children?

Week of September 27

Scripture: Habbakuk 2:3-4:This message (God’s message) is about a special time in the future. This message is about the end, and it will come true. Just be patient and wait for it. That time will come; it will not be late.This message cannot help those who refuse to listen to it, but those who are good will live because they believe it.

Question: What is God’s message? How do we listen to God?

Week of October 4

Scripture: Habbakuk 3:18-19: But I will still be glad in the LORD and rejoice in God my Savior. God gives me my strength. God helps me run fast like a deer. God leads me safely on the mountains.

Question: This is a song. Can you write or share a song that helps you or others cheer up?

Week of October 11

Scripture: Habbakuk 3:2: GOD, I have heard the news about you. I am amazed, LORD, at the powerful things you did in the past. Now I pray that you will do great things in our time. Please make these things happen in our own days. But in your anger, remember to show mercy to us.

Question: What are some amazing things God has done? This is a song. Write a song or prayer that you want God to hear for our world?

Children’s Sabbath, October 18

Scripture: Isaiah 53:4-5: The fact is, it was our suffering he took on himself; he bore our pain. But we thought that God was punishing him, that God was beating him for something he did. But he was being punished for what we did. He was crushed because of our guilt. He took the punishment we deserved, and this brought us peace. We were healed because of his pain.

Question: Do you have a kid you know who is bullied? How do we help those kids who are in pain?

Each day of the vigil a new writing or drawing (or both) from a child will be posted online (on Facebook, Twitter, and and here on the blog) in response to these prompts.

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/LightaCandleforChildren

Twitter: https://twitter.com/Pray4Children