We pray for the children who laugh when they swing high and who beam with pride when they climb to the top of the monkey bars.

We pray for the children who make dolls out of corncobs, bats out of tree limbs and pies in the mud.

And we pray for those who watch soldiers march through their playgrounds and city streets. Who can't run down the street without risking their lives. Who are born in places where we would dread to go. Who live in a violent world. Who learn survival by selling their young bodies in prostitution or pledge themselves to gangs.

We pray for children who become targets for social prejudice. Who limit their own potential struggling with a low self-esteem.

We pray for those who know first-hand what it's like to live in poverty surrounded by disease. Who must go through life branded by their skin color as being “no good” just because of their cultural heritage.

And we pray for those who have never had two scoops of ice cream. Who have no teddy bears or purple dinosaurs to comfort them. Who can't find enough food to eat or clean water to drink. Who don't have any toy trains, baby dolls or rocking horses. Whose fears are real and whose nightmares come true.

We pray for children who are abandoned, left isolated and alone on the doorsteps of orphanages and in the dumpsters along dirty streets. Who can identify the sounds of gun fire before they realize a ball will bounce or that bicycle tires go 'round and 'round.

We pray for the children who never learn the true meanings of trust, love or “I believe in you”.

Lord, we pray for all children to come unto you, Those with pure innocence and those who are aged beyond their years. The red, yellow, brown, black and white---all of these children are precious in your sight.

Lord, we pray for the children of the world. May Your will be done and your love be made known.

Amen