Profiles in Catholicism
- Jun 28, 2018
- 21 min read

Children Issues and Challenges

Updated: Mar 30

Prayers

Prayer for the parents of Uvalde children massacre

As a Mother of 3 sons and a Grandmother of 5 young children, I ask you to hear my prayer. My heart has been filled with prayer for the parents of the children as the beg God to help them heal from the horror of Uvalde. The parents bring the child into the world with joy and God's blessings of Baptism and graces. They steer the child through the journey of following God in their life: .from teaching them how to walk, ride a bike, have fun with others, and learn to watch out for one another. From their domestic home they learn to love the God of their parents and honor what the parents call into importance. The parents want the children to know/love and serve God and each other. They understand that the child is a constant and consistent responsibility. The parents want their children to know and love the familiarity of God's saving presence. On the day of this massacre, the parents started the day with a quiet blessing and cereal, they were busy with socks, shoes, school supplies and all that begins the day. We ask you, Lord to bless these men and women of faith as they turn to you for help. We ask you this in the name of the Father, His Son and the Holy Spirit. by Eileen Quinn Knight, Ph.D. Profiles in Catholicism

A Prayer for the Murdered Children at Robb Elementary School Texas

God of mercy, you have entrusted us with the gift of life and the gift of our children. We stand in unbearable grief as we mourn the loss of the children and their teachers in Uvalde, Texas. Renew within us the grace to carry the grieving parents and community and to hold them close. Stir up within us the courage to do whatever is necessary to safeguard the precious lives of all people, especially our children. May we be the people you call us to be--good and responsible stewards of your gifts. Amen by Father Louis Cameli Profiles in Catholicism

Prayer for the Children of Ukraine

Oh Lord, we pray for all the people of Ukraine, innocent victims of Russia’s merciless and murderous attack on their country and all who live within it. So many have died, so many have been injured, so many have had to flee from their homes to be able to survive. We pray for all Ukrainians in this time of great need and suffering. Oh Lord, we pray especially for the children of Ukraine whose lives have been so seriously disrupted, who are living in poverty, living with injuries, living with the knowledge that many of their relatives and friends have died, and whom they will never see again. Oh Lord, we pray for the children who have died and we pray for those who have, so far, survived. May those who have died rest in your Peace, Oh Lord. May those who survive be found by their families. May they receive the care that they need, To heal from their suffering, pain and trauma. And live to rebuild their lives and their country. Amen by Dr. Eugene Fisher Profiles in Catholicism

A Prayer for Murdered and Attacked Children

In your great mercy, Lord, hear the prayers of your people who grieve the violent deaths and wounds of their children from Ukraine to the streets of Chicago and now in Covington, Kentucky. Hold these children in the arms of your love. Console and strengthen the hearts of the their parents. Enable all of us to find the right ways to end the violence against children. Be our rock of refuge and our source of hope beyond our pain. Amen by Father Louis Cameli Profiles in Catholicism

Prayers for the children of Ukraine and Russia

Good and gracious God, We beg your help in understanding the pain and suffering of Ukraine and Russian children. When one sees the joy and playfulness in each and every gaze, we ask you to help us understand the suffering of disaster both in Ukraine and Russia. The tragedy of bombing the homes and maternity hospitals in Ukraine in which many were killed and maimed we ask why Lord. We ask those who are soldiers and warriors in this war put down their arms and ask Jesus to give us His love and care. We know Lord that you will take care of us as you are with us always but it is hard to understand the innocence of children being whisked away before their little time on earth. Looking at their tiny frail bodies that have been terribly mutilated in the midst of this war. Know that we love you and beg for your help for all those in the disaster. We pray especially for the parents who lost their precious children. We ask you to give us faith and hope so that we may continue to do your work. We pray especially for peace for Ukraine and Russia and all the countries affected by this war in the name of the Father, His Son and the Holy Spirit. by Eileen Quinn Knight, Ph.D. Profiles in Catholicism

Prayer for the Children of Nigeria

Oh Lord, the children in Nigeria are starving to death.

We join together with all Catholics, with all Christians,

with all people of faith.

Jews, Muslims, Hindus, Buddhists.

All who pray to you. The One God,

Lord of all humanity.

We pray that these innocent children

will have the sustenance, food, medicine, care

so that they may grow and flourish and help their communities

and all whom they may see who also will need the help that they need now.

We pray that the religious peoples of the world may come together to provide food

for these children,

and that the nations of the world may unite to send them what they need

to survive

and thrive.

And together we pray Amen. Let it be so!

by Dr. Eugene Fisher Profiles in Catholicism

Prayer for the stolen children

Taken from their indigenous home and from their families torn and taken, they never saw their parents, never felt the hugs and love for which they longed and cried long into the cold dark night in a school where they learned the pain of loss and loneliness.

From that misery and the hurt, one by one they died, then hundreds more, buried without a name, a marker or anyone to know or mourn and cry, to say here in this church-run residential school lived and, in their childhood, died of hunger and neglect, unloved and unknown.

The natives of this stolen land so unjustly betrayed by the invader and oppressor that wished to erase their nations by kidnap and abduction cruel, in the name of Jesus Christ.

Amen

by Father Shay Cullen Profiles in Catholicism

Prayers for Yummy Sandifer, Dantrell Davis, Ryan Harris, Eric Morse, Derrion Albert, Blair Holt, Jonylah Watkins, and the hundreds of other children murdered and who continue to be murdered in Chicago

God, we pray for those who have been murdered on the streets of our city. We commit to your loving care those who have died, beseeching you to receive their souls into the mercy of your love. Comfort their loved ones who mourn. Enable them to meet the lonely and painful days ahead in the strength of your love. Let the love that you have made known to us lead us to create safer streets for all to walk upon. Amen by Vienna Cobb Anderson

Prayer for the Murdered Children in Chicago

Lord God, source of all life,

you make all life sacred

and love especially the most vulnerable among us.

Protect our children from senseless violence,

shield them from the plague of gunfire,

and enable us to defend them from those who would harm them.

Enable our community to address the root causes of violence

and to transform our life together

in a spirit of justice and deep respect for all life.

We pray through Christ, our Lord. Amen by Father Louis Cameli Profiles in Catholicism

A Prayer to free the children.

Jesus, you were held captive, deprived and made to suffer humiliation hunger and torture. We see the children in cages, separated from their parents, alone, sick deprived and abused. Lord Jesus you called us to stand with the poor, the oppressed and you declared that the child is the most important in the world, to accept a child is to accept you.

we choose to be with you ,as you are with us.

Give all of us, Jesus, the courage to speak out, to take a stand for justice, never to compromise the truth, to be brave in the face of a challenge to your Good News that all and especially the children are to be free, liberated from bondage, poverty and oppression.

May government officials realize their duty to respect and realize the dignity of every person, to uphold human rights and the rights of the children. May they have a change of heart and turn from a heart of stone to that of human care and kindness.

We, Jesus, are called to that mission, following your example of love of neighbor and friendship with you and each other we will act to fulfill your mission which is our mission, to restore the freedom, dignity of the captive children and bring them to a happier and better life. Amen

by Father Shay Cullen Profiles in Catholicism

A Doctor’s Prayer

I see the suffering children and say I must help, I see the pain and hurt and I know, I can’t ignore when I feel and hear the call To respond and do my best To reach the sick and end the pain and bring healing, and respite. So few of us are left to heal and mend the hurt and sickness. We have fallen ill when we took the risk to save and help the others, the stranger and we too have suffered and have died. I ask why has all the world so little care As corona ravages the humble and the poor, And the vaccines are reserved for the rich and not the weak? Wicked hunger, squalor, and disease spreads with corona in nations that have brought conflict, riots and war upon themselves by corruption and by greed and are cursed to suffer and despair. We, and all humanity with the compassion and concern can call for justice for the rich to share the wealth and heal the world so all are safe to live in peace without the suffering and the fear. by Father Shay Cullen Profiles in Catholicism