Alex's prayer

This is the prayer Alex wrote for our assembly on the talents yesterday:

Dear God

Thank you for the precious food
We eat three times a day
Some children eat just once a week
In hot lands far away.

Hear our prayers for children
driven from their homes by
violence and warfare,
by hunger and by fear.

We pray for those who never get dessert
and are lucky to go through the day unhurt.

We think about the children who are born in places
where we wouldn't be caught dead,
and thank God we all have a bed.

Help us to work together to build a world
marked by justice and peace.

He had a little help with the last couple of lines, but otherwise it is all his own work. He raised nearly £60 through baking and selling a large selection of cakes. He has more thought and care for others than many adults.

I was reminded of what Jesus said about children: The people brought children to Jesus, hoping he might touch them. The disciples shooed them off. But Jesus was irate and let them know it: "Don't push these children away. Don't ever get between them and me. These children are at the very center of life in the kingdom. Mark this: Unless you accept God's kingdom in the simplicity of a child, you'll never get in." Then, gathering the children up in his arms, he laid his hands of blessing on them. (Mark 10:14 - 16, The Message)

Luke 9: 47 - 48 says:"Jesus, knowing their thoughts, took a little child and had him stand beside him. Then he said to them, "Whoever welcomes this little child in my name welcomes me; and whoever welcomes me welcomes the one who sent me. For he who is least among you all—he is the greatest."


and Luke 10:21 At that time Jesus, full of joy through the Holy Spirit, said, "I praise you, Father, Lord of heaven and earth, because you have hidden these things from the wise and learned, and revealed them to little children. Yes, Father, for this was your good pleasure.