National Month of Prayer for Toddler Groups

June 2026

The National Month of Prayer (NMOP) is an ecumenical initiative of 1277 Make Them Count and happens throughout June each year. It encourages churches, individuals and toddler communities to pray three ways – in groups, for groups and across groups in the UK. The theme for 2026 is based on the words of Jesus found in John 10:10-16.

1277 Make Them Count’ is a national movement for church-based toddler groups. On average a UK child has just 1,277 days between birth and starting nursery education, and the aim of the movement is to make these days count for the children, for their families and for the toddler groups that they attend. The precious moments of development from birth onwards can be challenging for parents/caregivers, full of questions or even loneliness. Through working with the children we can offer support, hope and connection. For the child they get to learn the value of social spaces and trusted adults, and to hear the word of God and to grow.

Resources available:

Gathered worship material including written prayers, prayer time ideas and a responsive prayer to recognise this month
Jump IN! session The Good Shepherd

You might like to join the 1277 Facebook group, where ideas, prayer requests and stories can be shared alongside The Salvation Army’s parent-and-toddler groups’ UKI Facebook group (SA P-and-T groups UKI).

Gathered worship material

Good Shepherd, we pray that you will watch over all those families and individuals who are connected through our parent-and-toddler groups. Just as the Good Shepherd knows his sheep intimately and by name, thank you because each baby, toddler and adult who are connected to our groups is known to you and loved by you.

Thank you because, even though many of them won’t realise it, you are constantly watching over them and desire to have a place in their lives. We pray that through our interactions with them – through the care, welcome and unconditional love they are shown through the parent-and-toddler groups they attend – they would somehow get a glimpse of your great love and understand the way you care for them too.

Thank you for all those who give their time to running and supporting our parent-and-toddler programmes and the way they seek to mirror the care, protection and faithfulness of the Good Shepherd.

Good Shepherd, you know us by our name and our identity is not hidden from you. Gather us to yourself as a shepherd gathers the sheep, that we might know you more clearly. Amen.

Good Shepherd,
Thank you for every family and person who comes to our parent-and-toddler groups. Thank you that each one is known and loved by you.

Please watch over them and care for them. Through the welcome, kindness and love they receive, help them to see something of your love too.

Thank you for everyone who gives their time to serve and support these groups. Bless them as they show care and faithfulness to others.

Draw us closer to you, Good Shepherd, and help us to know you more. Amen.

Major Sharen Furlong, DMO, London Division

Loving Father,

As we think about those connected to our toddler groups, help us to love them as you love us. You are the great shepherd who cares for us as his flock. Lord, these precious parents, grandparents and carers are our precious sheep within our flock and their children are our precious little lambs. Help us to nurture them as you nurture us. Lord, as we connect with each other, help us to be shining examples of you. May each individual know that we love them because we know your love. May each one feel precious in your sight. Amen.

Captain Naomi Kelly, Corps Officer, Middlesbrough

Lord Jesus, we give you thanks for every parent-and-toddler group and the importance they have within our church.

May each one be a safe place where all parents, carers and children feel welcomed, loved and accepted.

May the time they share and play together be times of fun and laughter, where the children grow in their development, learning to share and to be kind, and how to make friends and adapt to each other.

Thank you for the opportunity these groups give to come alongside parents who may often find parenting a bit overwhelming. May they find friendship and community, a place where they feel supported and encouraged.

We pray for the leaders and volunteers, that you will fill them with your love and grace. Help them to take the opportunities to share your love as they engage and build relationships with each family. Give them the strength, energy and patience they need, and may they know your presence with them and the assurance that you are using them for your glory.

Amen.

Major Sue Whitla, Divisional Intergenerational Officer, Ireland Division

Loving God,

Thank you for Jesus, our Good Shepherd, who watches over us. We pray for every toddler group within our communities. May they be places where little ones can play, laugh and feel safe, just as a shepherd keeps his flock safe.

Be close to each child who comes through our doors. Guide them as they grow, explore and discover new things. Be with the parents, grandparents, carers and childminders who come with them. May they find support, friendship and peace in our buildings.

Bless the volunteers who welcome families and show kindness in simple, everyday ways. Help them to reflect the heart of the Good Shepherd, so that through their warmth and care, people catch a glimpse of Jesus.

Good Shepherd, watch over every group. Let our buildings be places filled with fun and joy, where care is shown in the small things and where your love is felt in the warmth of the people. May Jesus be at the centre of all we do, shaping every welcome and every act of care. Let them be places where people feel truly welcome.

Amen.

Captain Lorna Weston, Corps Officer, Dudley

Father God,

We thank you for your love and care for each one of us.

We thank you for all those who attend toddler groups across this country.

We pray that all those attending these groups will find them to be a safe, warm and welcoming space.

Help the group leaders and teams to show love and care and to give direction to you, the Good Shepherd.

Thank you for this amazing opportunity to share your love in words and actions.

Amen.

Major Joy Stephenson, Corps Officer, Nuneaton

Dear Lord,

Thank you that you lead us every day to do your work.

The Lord is my shepherd. Help us as we look after your precious families. Help us build those relationships that are not just on toddler days, but that we do life with them. We can let them know we are on the end of a phone, or a coffee shop catch up, a safe space. Let them know they are not alone.

He guides me along right paths. As we share with our parents, carers and children. Please guide our conversations. As our families come into the building may they know it’s a safe sanctuary where they can sit and rest for awhile with a cuppa and toast or what ever we serve.

Even though I walk through the darkest valley. Lord you know every situation that comes into our buildings. Families could be dealing with illness or loneliness or what ever it may be. May we be the ones to show love and support where the rest of world has not. Let our toddler groups be the space that they say, these people really love us, warts and all.

Surely goodness and mercy will follow me all the days of my life. Lord, if we haven’t seen some one for a while let us make it a priority to check in with them, we don’t want any stragglers or anyone feeling like they don’t belong. As you love them, let us keep them close and show how you are indeed The Good shepherd.

Amen.

Major Sharon Hampton, Merthyr Tydfil

During the responsive prayer you will see there are two groups to respond at different times – you may choose to split Group 1 and Group 2, or one side of the hall and the other.

A responsive prayer

Leader: Lord Jesus, we thank you today for being our Good Shepherd who guides, protects and provides.

All: Lord Jesus, thank you for being our Good Shepherd.

Leader: As a shepherd guides his sheep, Jesus our Good Shepherd is our guide.

Group 1: Forgive us for the times when we wander like sheep and go our own way. Help us to recognise your voice above all others and follow where you lead.

All: Lord Jesus, thank you for being our Good Shepherd.

Leader: As a shepherd protects his sheep, Jesus our Good Shepherd is our protector.

Group 2: Help us to trust in your loving care and find peace in your presence, knowing that you are always with us.

All: Lord Jesus, thank you for being our Good Shepherd.

Leader: As a shepherd provides for his sheep, Jesus our Good Shepherd is our provider.

Group 1: Help us to rely on you for all that we need. Thank you for your daily provision, our spiritual sustenance and your endless blessings.

All: Lord Jesus, thank you for being our Good Shepherd.

Leader: As our Good Shepherd, Jesus loved us sacrificially, freely laying down his life so that we might have life and have it abundantly.

Group 2: Help us to live in a way that reflects your heart, and teach us to love others selflessly as we serve our community.

All: Lord Jesus, help us reflect you, our Good Shepherd, in our community.

Leader: We pray for those who attend our parent-and-toddler groups. May they find a place of welcome and encouragement. May they sense your presence in every smile, every conversation, and every act of kindness.

All: Lord Jesus, help us reflect you, our Good Shepherd, in our community.

Leader: For the leaders and volunteers, may they be shepherds after your own heart, leading with gentleness, humility, love and grace.

All: Lord Jesus, help us reflect you, our Good Shepherd, in our community.

Leader: Good Shepherd, we ask that you keep watch over our toddler groups. Guard them from harm, bless them with unity, and use them as a light in our community. May these gatherings be more than just playtimes; may they be places where your love is felt, your truth is shared, and your peace is known. Amen.

Karen Hook, Corps Leader, Crook

1. Paper sheep pasture

What you need: Paper sheep shapes, crayons, stickers, pens, sticky-tack

How it works:

Invite everyone at your parent-and-toddler group to decorate a sheep using crayons, stickers, cotton wool etc.
Ask them to write on the back their family name and if there is anything they would like people to pray for.
Stick all the sheep on to a large ‘pasture’ poster or green cloth with the heading, ‘Jesus cares for our parent-and-toddler group’.
On Sunday, display the poster during your main church service, and invite the congregation to come and take a sheep, committing to pray for the family whose name is on the back.

2. Wool prayer bracelets/bookmarks

What you need: A ball of soft wool – this can be cut into strands or plaited.

How it works: Give each person a piece of wool that can be tied loosely around the wrist or used as a bookmark to remind them to pray for the parent-and-toddler group over the coming week.

You could write a simple list of prayer topics that they can use each day, praying specifically for the families who attend and the leaders and helpers. Include things like:

parents who are tired
toddlers who are learning and growing
leaders who guide the group

Suggest that as they pray for each topic they finish by saying, ‘Jesus, our Good Shepherd, please watch over them.’

3. Hide and seek prayers

What you need: Toy sheep or pictures of sheep. You could write the names of families who attend your group on a label / luggage tag or on the back of the picture.

How it works: Hide the sheep around the church before the service and invite everyone to search for them together. When they find one they can return to their seats and pray together for the family it represents.

Ask them to pray for things specific to your group such as:

any families who have been missing from the group
new families to join
any parents who feel tired or anyone who is unwell
for new volunteers to help run the group

Conclude by saying a prayer that incorporates all the suggestions, or use a prayer that everyone can join in together.

4. Bubble blessings

This can be an indoor or outdoor activity.

What you need: Bubble blower

How it works: Blow bubbles while praying simple blessings like:

‘Jesus, please surround all our toddler group families with your love.’
‘Jesus, please help the parents, grandparents and carers to feel supported.’
‘Jesus, please help the babies and toddlers to grow safely and happily.’
‘Jesus, please be with the leaders and helpers who run our toddler group and help them as they care for the families who come.’

5. Fingerprint flock

What you need: Ink pads or washable paint and a large outline of a sheep.

How it works: Ask everyone in the congregation who is committed to pray for the parent-and-toddler group to come forward and to add their fingerprint to create a coat for the sheep.

Thank Jesus for the parent-and-toddler group, the families who come and the leaders and helpers.

Share the picture with your parent-and-toddler group and explain how it represents all the prayers that are being said for them by church members this week.