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