Thank you!

Thank you so much to all the children, churches, and families who submitted their writing and pictures for the Light a Candle for Children Prayer Vigil! Your submissions were meaningful and heartfelt and helped us all focus on our daily prayers for children.

We also thank ALL those who participated each day through prayer and in their congregation's Children Sabbath celebrations.

To keep in touch and learn about more ways to help, subscribe to the Disciples Family & Children newsletter http://eepurl.com/QwcwX or take action through the great advocacy work of the Children's Defense Fund at www.childrensdefense.org/take-action.

May we continue to pray and advocate for children, not just on one day or in one season but throughout the year and through every opportunity we have to improve the life of a child.

October 18, Children's Sabbath: How long until I blossom?

Weekend of Children's Sabbath, October 16-18 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. -Isaiah 53:4-5

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

"How long until I blossom?"

"How can I help kids that are bullied?"

Grace, Age 11
Jake, Age 11
Erlanger Christian Church
Erlanger, Kentucky

October 17: A family prayer

Weekend of Children's Sabbath, October 16-18 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. -Isaiah 53:4-5

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

"It's tough when you know anyone is in pain - but especially when it is children. They don't always have the vocabulary to explain why they are upset and they aren't old enough to understand that this hurt is not caused by something they did. 

Dear God - please help me learn to spot the signs of hurt and guide me to find the ways to help."

Elkins, Denson, & Wheat families
Clintonville Christian Church & First Christian Church, Mt. Sterling
Kentucky

October 16: Down with bullies!

Weekend of Children's Sabbath, October 16-18 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. -Isaiah 53:4-5

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

Group drawings from Jake, Grace, Larkin, and Grace

Erlanger Christian Church

Erlanger, Kentucky

October 15: A prayer to end hate from Hanna

Week of October 11 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.   - Habbakuk 3: 2

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. 

"Dear God, 
You are powerful & amazing. You are good & kind. You have given us food & a place to live. But in this world, people are bad. They steal & bully. They also kidnap. They murder. Also, people do not like differences. One difference is color & race. White people hating, bullying, murdering other people just because they are different. Help us to stop this, all of this. This picture is what I think it should be like, people get along. Friends! Please, Help us, God.
Hannah"

Hannah, Age 9
St. Peter United Church of Christ
Seven Hills, Ohio

October 14: A "Thank You" to God from McKenzie

Week of October 11 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.   - Habbakuk 3: 2

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. 

"God, you have helped us find water with wells, have helped us make friends of enemies, created the earth, encouraged us to reach out to others, brought music into the world and made us silly as well. Thank you for all the things you have done."

McKenzie, Age 10
Central Christian Church
Lexington, Kentucky

October 13: Adalynn's family

Week of October 11 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.   - Habbakuk 3: 2

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.

"What is family? Every child knows who their family is. It may be a traditional Mom, Dad & children family, it may be a non-traditional family. Adalynn has a traditional family with her mother and father. She also has aunts and uncles and grandparents. She now also recognizes by sight all of the other children from the nursery and the adults who care for them each week. Our hope for this world, our prayer to God, is that all children may know that all those who are around them may be their family. We pray that all children can see comfort and not feel troubled from the people in their lives."

Adalynn, Age 20 months 
(with help from Gayle, Barry, Katie, Teri, & Morgan)
Erlanger Christian Church
Erlanger, Kentucky

October 12: A prayer from Caroline

Week of October 11 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.   - Habbakuk 3: 2

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. 

"Dear God, Thank you for food, water, air, shelter, and everything we need to live. Please help the sick, hungry, and the poor. And help everyone to get along and be friends. Amen." Caroline, Age 8 
St. Peter United Church of Christ 
Seven Hills, Ohio

October 11: Words on God from Corbyn

Week of October 11 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.   - Habbakuk 3: 2

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?

"God is great. He show us the way. He helps when we feel bad. He sacrificed His son's life for us. He takes care of us. He floods and then makes new. He guarantees a good life, a very good life. That is why God is so special." 

Corbyn, Age 8
Saguaro Christian Church
Tucson, Arizona 

October 10: A drawing from Harper

Week of October 4 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. - Habbakuk 3:18-19

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

"God gives me the strength of the moose.   
God gives me the power to think like an owl. 
God gives me the power to love like you." 

Harper, Age 6
Saint Andrew Christian Church
Olathe, Kansas

October 9: A message from Julianna

Week of October 4 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. - Habbakuk 3:18-19

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

"I love God and God loves me too!"

Julianna, Age 7
Erlanger Christian Church
Erlanger, Kentucky

October 8: An illustration by Sophia

Week of October 4 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. - Habbakuk 3:18-19

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

  

Scripture illustration (Thinking about running like a deer, a strong person, and going over mountains) 

Sophia, Age 7

First Christian Church

Hopkinsville, Kentucky

October 7: A prayer from Sarah

Week of October 4 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. - Habbakuk 3:18-19

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

"Dear God, I pray that all who hurt feel your love. Help us be strong when we feel weak. God holds us. God helps us. God loves us. Amen."

Sarah, Age 8
United Disciples Christian Church
Richardson, Texas

October 6: An illustration by Ransom

Week of October 4 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. - Habbakuk 3:18-19

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

Scripture illustration (strong person, Savior, and deer)
 
Ransom, Age 5
First Christian Church
Hopkinsville, Kentucky

October 5: Art from Jonathan

Week of October 4 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. - Habbakuk 3:18-19

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

"God, thank you for marvelous things. Help us heal. Help us. Amen."

Jonathan, Age 13
United Disciples Christian Church
Richardson, Texas

 

October 4: A response from Anna

Week of October 4 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. - Habbakuk 3:18-19

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

"When you are going through a hard time God can change it around. It might not be easy but it will be worth it in the end. The song 'That was then and this is now,' by Josh Wilson."

Anna, Age 10
Bridgeport Christian Church

Frankfort, Kentucky

October 3: A drawing from Annajane

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?

"Love looks like me."

Annajane, Age 2.5
Tylersville Road Christian Church
Mason, Ohio

October 2: Drawings from Samuel and 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 will tell us to love each other."
"He will tell us to be kind."

Samuel & Matthew
Tylersville Road Christian Church
Mason, Ohio

October 1: A response from Lora

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's message is to be kind to others and to love your neighbors as your family. You can find more by looking in the Holy Bible. I listen to god by praying. I listen to god by reading his stories in the Holy Bible."

Lora, Age 11
Tylersville Road Christian Church
Mason, Ohio