Remembering the Children Prayer
God of our Ancestors,
who holds the spirits of our grandmothers and grandfathers
and the spirits of our grandchildren,
Remembering the Children,
we now pledge ourselves to speak the Truth,
and with our hearts and our souls
to act upon the Truth we have heard
of the injustices lived,
of the sufferings inflicted,
of the tears cried,
of the misguided intentions imposed,
and of the power of prejudice and racism
which were allowed to smother the sounds and laughter of
the forgotten children.
Hear our cries of lament
for what was allowed to happen, and for what will never
be.
In speaking and hearing and acting upon the Truth
may we as individuals and as a nation
meet the hope of a new beginning.
Great Creator God
who desires that all creation live in harmony and peace,
Remembering the Children
we dare to dream of a Path of Reconciliation
where apology from the heart leads to healing of the heart
and the chance of restoring the circle,
where justice walks with all,
where respect leads to true partnership,
where the power to change comes from each heart.
Hear our prayer of hope,
and guide this country of Canada
on a new and different path. Amen
- from the Remembering the Children Initiative
Pandemic Prayer Ideas
1/ Think of those who are struggling or working hard during the pandemic. These might be individuals known to you or groups of people (for example, frontline workers, ICU workers, those who have lost income, the sick, the lonely, vaccine clinic staff). Write each name or group on a sticky note, and post them up some place you will see them everyday. Each day touch the notes, one at a time, and pray for the people named there. Pray for God’s protection of them. Give thanks for them. Pray that they will have strength to be able to persevere. You may wish to send a message of thanks and encouragement to anyone you may know personally, and let them know that you have prayed for them and their work.
2/ Find a large piece of paper and, at the end of each day, write down something (or some things) for which you are thankful on that day. Use coloured markers, simple sketches, or fancy lettering. Be creative. Eventually you will have a personalized piece of artwork and a reminder of the way God continues to bless you.
3/ Make use of these prayers for specific pandemic situations or add some relevant poetry to your daily prayer practice.
