O Thou who didst take the little ones in Thine arms, put Thine hands upon them and bless them; we believe that Thou intendest joy for all the young.
We pray for children who know no happiness at home; who are ill-treated, abused, and held of little consequence. Give to all parents, O God, an ever-dawning freshness of vision towards their children, that nothing commonplace or soiled may be found in their relations to them.
Teach us to see that their lives reflect ours, scorn for scorn, gentleness for gentleness, beauty for beauty, roughness for roughness. Grant us, O Lord, ever the heart of Christ Himself towards them, and an honest desire and will to alleviate any suffering of those not in our immediate charge.
We confess anew Thy blessed Name of Father. May this name and sign mark all our homes, through Him who died to make us all Thy sons.
O God who art the Lord of all ages of man’s life and the supplier of his every need, hear our prayer. We seek Thy favor upon young people growing in all the conscious awkwardness of adolescence. Save them, O Lord, from the bravado, which their unhappy feelings so often breed; preserve them from the internal misery that so often attends their stage of life; and turn their eyes to Thee in whom is all the beauty of tranquil peace.
In depth of grace, in strength of character and in loftiness of vision, may they grow in Thee, witnesses to Thy Gospel and heralds of Thy truth.
Amen
Presbyterian Church in Canada Book of Common Worship
“He tends his flock like a shepherd: He gathers the lambs in his arms and carries them close to his heart; he gently leads those that have young.” Isaiah 40:11
