This day Lord, guide all Your young people, those among us who are most impressionable and vulnerable. Give to them the warmth, care and nurturance that young life deserves and needs. Hold close to Your heart the young people who daily struggle because of a home environment that is not life-giving and supportive. Most especially, remember the children and youth who are without parents, those in foster care and those incarcerated.
Inspire these children and youth with your Word; assist them so that they may believe in Your Good News and the Kingdom in their midst. Create in them hearts of love, compassion, mercy and forgiveness that they may become agents of justice, peace and hope in their families, neighborhoods and communities.
Lord we pray for Your mercy and compassion, We live in troubled times, and the answers to our problems are not simple or easy. Send Your Spirit upon us to strengthen our resolve to root out the violence, hate, and fear in our lives. Replace it with Your forbearance and love. Create in us hearts of courage, grace us with the ability to stand against the violence of our day: the violence in ourselves, our homes, streets and communities. In your name we pray, Amen.