Then people brought little children to Jesus for Him to place His hands on them and pray for them. But the disciples rebuked them. Jesus said, “Let the little children come to Me, and do not hinder them, for the kingdom of heaven belongs to such as these.” When He had placed His hands on them, He went on from there (Matthew 19:13-15).
Oh Lord God from whom our help comes, thank You for Your watchful care over the vulnerable and the helpless. You are "a Father to the fatherless, a defender of widows..."(Psalm 68:3).
Your word tells us that "children are a heritage from the Lord" (Psalm 127:3)—an integral part of Your design for continuity, and succession, and reproduction of physical and spiritual life. You have established an essential role for them in Your purpose for humanity and in the fulfilment of Your great plan of redemption:
"Abraham will surely become a great and powerful nation, and all nations on earth will be blessed through him. For I have chosen him, so that he will direct his children and his household after him to keep the way of the Lord by doing what is right and just…" (Genesis 18:18-19).
O Father, how important it is that Your blessing fall on our children! How important that we bring them to You in prayer! Thank you for showing us through our Savior's actions that You welcome them, that You desire to place Your hand on their lives.
Lord, Your word says that You seek "godly offspring" (Malachi 2:15). And Jesus' instruction to the disciples "Let the children come to Me" shows the priority You place on their spiritual wellbeing.
Thank You for calling them out of the shadows when they are overlooked or neglected. Thank You for showing those who would hinder them—those who would relegate them to the background—that "the kingdom of heaven belongs to such as these.”
Father, more than ever, we pray for the children in our world. O how they need Your touch and Your blessing on their lives. They live in the middle of such chaos, and confusion and violence, and never-ending stimuli.
O God how many are those that hinder children from coming to You! How many are the false messages—the lies, the deceptions, the worldly wisdom and shallow pursuits that leave them empty, and hopeless, and dying from despair! O God, have mercy. Let the children come to You.
We pray for those who watch over them, those who guide and nurture them, who instruct them, who care for their every need. We pray for parents and guardians, family members, teachers, pediatric health care staff, coaches, mentors, youth group leaders, camp counselors—everyone connected with the care and wellbeing of children.
God, help us! Help us to recognize how much we need You. Help us, for our own sake, and for the sake of our children. Help us to be willing to give up our futile methods and seek Your help. Help us to change our dark and faulty thinking. Help us to come to You, as little children ourselves, with contrite and humble hearts, laying down our own wisdom and asking for Yours.
We cry out for our children. Have mercy on them. Have mercy on us.
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