“What Child is This?” Prayer for Children

What child is this?

This hungry child, this child with AIDS,

this child afraid of bombs and soldiers,

this child too poor to go to school,

this child from a refugee camp,

this child abused and neglected,

this child crying and uncomforted.

What child is this?

This child is not a statistic,

this child is not collateral damage,

this child is not a mistake,

this child is not the enemy.

What child is this?

This is a child of God,

this is a Christ child,

this is our child.

Lord Jesus, born a child and yet a king,

you remind us that each baby

is a holy infant, tender and mild.

We say a prayer for all the dear children in your tender care,

all the children in the world.

In a world where so many do not sleep in heavenly peace,

empower us to be your peacemakers.

Thank you for the gift of each baby, each child of hope.