We’re going to let our Sewickley UMC children cater our shared prayer this month, and they have provided an extraordinary menu.

In our first 9 a.m. Children’s Church of 2024, our first activity was to pray into the New Year. The children wanted to pray for more of God’s Light in our homes, schools, work places, church, neighborhoods, nation and our world.

In a New Year’s prayer constructed and shared during an 11 a.m. Children’s Church, children and youth asked for justice and protection for everyone, peace on Earth, an end to gun violence, and an end to all wars, including the conflicts in Ukraine, and in Israel and Gaza. We also asked God to show us how to help others more often, to be happy for others and to help others know the love of God and Jesus. We also prayed for the homeless, the hungry, nature, schools and family.

We can also draw prayer prompts from the four young people who addressed our gathering to remember the work and dreams of Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. in January.

“Has (King’s) dream come true?” one of the youth asked. “It feels like we’re going backwards a little bit today.”

The youth also reminded us King is still leading us to “treat people with kindness,” and “stand up to injustice” and “promote equality, justice and peace.”

On February 4, as the sun sets around 5:20 p.m., from wherever you are, with whoever wants to join you, let’s lift the prayer concerns of our children and youth.

Lord, bless and protect our homes, schools, workplaces, communities, and nations. Wrap your arms around all those impacted by war, violence, hunger, homelessness, and fear.

Lord, help each of us to find new ways to serve each other, encourage each other, and share your Love and Light.

Lord, help each of us to pursue the dream of a world shaped by kindness, equality, justice, and peace.

And, Lord, we thank you for our children and youth, their hopeful vision, their willingness to serve and love, and their faith in you.

Amen.

Photo by Elvert Barnes
Mural by Don Miller