Prayer for World Children’s Rights Day

“We cannot be happy alone because joy grows when we share it.“

Symbols:

 

•  An empty flower pot: which will be filled with different flowers to represent the cultural difference and the expression of joy that children experience.
•  Images of children from different cultures: to express solidarity, communion, commitment and openness in favor of the children of the world.
• The globe: sign of belonging to a homeland, to a culture, to a family, etc.

Introduction: Dear brothers and sisters, faced with the current reality of a world dominated by inequalities, we are all called to make efforts, to do our best to restore joy and hope to all the children of the world, especially those who have lost smiles and hope.

So, let us enter into this request with faith and the certainty of being heard by the Lord, to support the children in our own environment.

Song to the Holy Spirit (Your choice

Animator: The love and joy of children are an integral part of the evangelical message that the Church and all its members are called to spread in the world. Christ himself, in fact, entrusted us with the care and protection of the smallest and defenseless; he who welcomes a child like this in my name welcomes me. (Mt 18.5)

Word of God

Gospel of Jesus Christ according to Saint Matthew 19, 13-15.

Then some people brought children to him, that he might lay his hands on them and say a prayer. But the disciples rebuked them. Jesus said: Let these children come to me, do not hinder them, for the kingdom of heaven belongs to such as these. And having laid his hands on them, he departed from there.

Time of silence and interiorization

Animator: It is moving to see Jesus surrounded by children, playing with them, smiling at them, asking them their name, their age…, asking them to be good children for their parents and society, good brothers and sisters.

Daughters of Wisdom

Sent in the name of Christ, we give preference to “those whom the world neglects, those alienated from the Church”. Called to contribute to the work of creative Wisdom, we are invited to seek new forms of evangelization together. We wish to offer the alternative of a prophetic lifestyle that reveals Divine Wisdom

Following the example of Wisdom, who calls at the crossroads, we embrace differences and work in favor of cultural diversity and inter-religious dialogue. (RV8)

Proposed questions:

• How do I welcome children who come to me?
• What am I stopping the children from doing today?
• What should I do to contribute to the joy of children?

Sharing

Gesture (where possible):

• Meet children and talk to them about what brings them joy in life.

Intercession prayer:

• Lord, in your mercy, hear our prayer.
• Father, you love and cherish every child, you created them for a specific purpose and you gave them people who contribute significantly to their education. We pray for all the children deprived of affections, so that they find again their joy, let us pray to the Lord.
• We pray for all the children around the world so that they have the chance to change their lives for the better and look to the future with hope and happiness, we pray to the Lord. For abandoned children who live in difficult situations give them security and identity rooted in your unconditional love, let us pray to the Lord.
• Free intentions (inspired by the sharing of the children’s words).

Final prayer:

Lord, welcome our supplications and our songs of gratitude. Through your life you give us the example of a true disciple by proclaiming the truth of God and by showing yourself tender and compassionate towards all, rich and poor. You are the one who protects, keeps and inspires them with everything that is good and beautiful for their development. Make them find their joy in you who lives and reigns forever and ever, Amen!

Final song. Your choice

 Happy celebration to all!