National Month of Prayer for Toddler Groups

‘See, I am doing a new thing!’ (Isaiah 43:19)

Father God, 

Today we bring to you all those who attend our activities. Lord, we understand that you know and love each one of them. We thank you for the families that they represent and ask that you will be with each one of them. 

Lord, we thank you for the journeys that we go on with these families, the relationships that are built and the opportunities that we have to serve you through parent-and-toddler groups. Help these groups to be a place where people can feel they belong, can feel valued and can learn more about you.

Lord, we thank you for the devotion given by everyone who volunteers within these groups, who willingly give up their time building relationships with families. We thank you for providing the resources we need to make these groups a possibility.

Lord, continue to use our parent-and-toddler groups to serve you.

Amen.

Captain Clare Davis, Leigh-on-Sea

Father God,

We thank you for the many parent-and-toddler groups that are part of our corps communities across the territory.

We pray that the families who attend will feel your love each time they come into the building, and that it would be a place they feel comfortable in, to be themselves, and for them to grow in their knowledge of you through conversations and stories that are told about you.

Amen

Shelley Gallagher, Divisional Intergenerational Worker

Whenever you say ‘new’, people could make the Makaton/BSL sign for ‘new’  https://www.british-sign.co.uk/british-sign-language/how-to-sign/new/

God – you are always doing something ‘new’!

As we welcome children into our parent-and-toddler groups, help us to be filled with joy as we see children and babies discover ‘new’ things to explore and learn.

As we sit with ‘new’ parents, will you give us patience to listen and compassion to journey alongside them with the ups and downs of parenting.

As we open the door to those who are ‘new’, may they find safety and somewhere to call home.

As we consider the ‘new’ things you may be doing in our groups and churches, open our eyes and hearts.

As we show and share good news – which will be ‘new’ to many – may people see Jesus do a ‘new’ thing in their lives. 

Amen!

Captain Rachel Dunham, Cheltenham

Leader:              Lord, for precious children, playing and laughing,

Everyone:          We give you thanks and praise your name!

Leader:              For wriggling babies, rolling and gurgling,

Everyone:          We give you thanks and praise your name!

Leader:              For parents, carers and grandparents too,

Everyone:          We give you thanks and praise your name!

Leader:              For volunteer helpers who put others first,

Everyone:          We give you thanks and praise your name!

Leader:              For nice warm spaces and refreshments too,

Everyone:          We give you thanks and praise your name!

Leader:              For lovely, clean toys in safe, spacious places,

Everyone:          We give you thanks and praise your name! 

Leader:              Lord, for all these things you have gifted to us, 

Everyone:          Help us always to give thanks and praise your name. Amen!

Major Jo Thompson, Intergenerational Officer, Central, Southern and Channel Isles Division

Creative prayer activities for the whole church to join in.

In encouraging the whole church to be involved in the National Month of Prayer for Parent & Toddler Groups, the following creative activities can be done in partnership with your group, that enable everyone to be praying for the families who come, and the team.

1. Prayer Stones

Ask the families in the parent-and-toddler group to write their family name(s) on two stones and to decorate them if they would like to. Tell them that they can take one stone home, but the other one is to give to members of the Sunday church congregation to take home as a reminder to pray for them.
During the Sunday service, invite church members to collect a stone and commit to praying for the family named on it.

2. Water Droplet Prayers

In a Tuff Tray, create a desert scene using sand and stones. You could use the decorated stones made in the parent-and-toddler group or write family names on them yourself.
Cut out some water droplet shapes from card or paper. Ask members of the congregation to write prayers on them for the families who attend the group, and for the leaders and helpers. Challenge them to ask God to do something new in the lives of everyone who is part of the group.
Invite people to place their water drop into the desert scene, and to take a stone as a reminder to pray for the family and for the parent-and-toddler group.

3. Prayer Stations 

Create some simple prayer stations using the resource created by Emma Anderton from the London Network of Parent-and-Toddler Groups, found at the link below National Month of Prayer - 1277
1277.org.uk/national-month-of-prayer/ 

Major John Smith played a huge role in encouraging others to actively pray for parent-and-toddler groups. John was part of the 1277 group and began the National Day of Prayer for Parent-and-Toddler Groups. The tribute offers us a moment to celebrate John's life and the impact he has made.

 TRIBUTE TO MAJOR JOHN SMITH

By Major Lorna Smith

At the very beginning of our relationship, when we were training to be Salvation Army officers, John and I both knew that prayer would be our lifeline in communication – not just with Father God but with each other. I am so glad we started to pray together then.

Those who knew something of John knew of his enthusiasm for life and ministry. Prayer permeated everything we were and did. We used to laugh about the fact that we could rarely share our ‘quiet times’ together because our personalities were so different, but we never had any difficulty praying with each other every day.

Our time in Family Ministry was unique. There had never been a man in this role before – crazy really. I could say much about this, but as with every appointment prayer was vital. ‘Why don’t we pray more?’ was a question John often asked, and I remember him discussing the need for prayer to surround our parent-and-toddler ministry.  On one occasion, having just shared in a group with around 20 babies and toddlers and their parents/carers, the church leader was then bemoaning the fact that there were no children in his church! We had to remind him ‘Church happens every day’ and that these families are all within the parameters of our ministry.

I am on that journey of grief. Bearing the unbearable, yet thanking God for the privilege of being married to this man of prayer for almost 47 years. John knew and lived the value of prayer. 

It was while John was part of the 1277 group that he had the idea for a National Day of Prayer for Parent-and-Toddler Groups, which has now become a National Month of Prayer each June. John  realised that the opportunity to pray with some of our parents and children didn’t always come, but rather that we can always pray for them. 

Please keep praying. Pray for those who facilitate and organise the groups. Pray for those who make the tea and toast and give out biscuits and fruit. Pray for those who can come alongside and be a listening ear. Pray for that opportunity to share that word in season – that genuine word of care that everyone needs.

PRAYER

Father God, we thank you for the privilege of sharing in the lives of many through our parent-and-toddler groups.

Help us to be a people sensitive to the guidance of your Spirit and to the people whom we have the privilege of getting to know – children and parents/carers.

Thank you for all those who give their time and energy in any way – leadership, making the tea, putting out and clearing away the toys, getting alongside and showing care and understanding.

Lord, help us to have a vision of what can be as well as what is. Help us to see the potential in others and in ourselves.

Bring your own encouragement in the mundane tasks as well as the joyful ones and may your Kingdom grow and flourish. 

Amen.