Mark 9:36-37 (NIV)

‘He took a little child whom he placed among them. Taking the child in his arms, he said to them, “Whoever welcomes one of these little children in my name welcomes me; and whoever welcomes me does not welcome me but the one who sent me.”

Gracious God, as Mental health Children’s Week draws to a close, we lift the future safe keeping of our younger generation into Your hands. We realise that the effects of the pandemic will have an impact upon the mental health of our children for years to come, the effects of continuous lockdown and separation from family and friends, loss of contact time with their teachers and all the benefits of the wider school curriculum, uncertainty of exams and assessments, being unable to attend the many different groups that they might belong to outside of the home and school. Lord God, we pray that when we come out of this pandemic, as communities we will consider very seriously how we can address the effect of Covid 19 on our children so that we can give them a secure and bright future. We pray that those in positions of power and authority, children’s agencies, medical professionals and parents, will be given the opportunity to come together and address these issues as a united body. We pray for the power of Your Holy Spirit to counsel and to guide.
God of Love, we know that every child is precious to You and so we place them into Your protection this day and pray for all their futures as they continue to grow surrounded by Your love, Amen.