A Prayer for Children

By Bishop Nikolai Velimirovich

All-plenteous Lord Jesus Christ, Who was once even Thyself a child and Who used to love and bless children, have mercy upon the children of our time, and save them - so that unbaptized children may be baptized, and so that baptized children may be strengthened in their faith in Thee, Who art Truth eternal, and in their love for Thee, Who art Love ineffable.

Save, O Lord, those children whom unbelieving parents corrupt with atheism and turn away from Thee, their Savior and salvation.

Save, O All-meek Lord, also those children whom evil teachers, without God or soul, alienate from Thee, their Savior and salvation.

Save, O Lord, also those children whose pure soul is defiled by all the immorality in the streets, in the theater, and on television -save them from the impurity of the streets and the theater and from every impurity.

Save, O All-merciful Lord, also those children who are orphans and have fallen into the hands of cruel guardians, or bad stepfathers or stepmothers, or those who are supposed to rear them but do not -- save them from hearing blasphemous words and from seeing malicious deeds.

Save, O Son of God, the sons of the sons of men, whom the world tugs here and there into many physical trainings and occupations, without giving them any training in Thy Holy Law, training in proper thoughts, in truth and mercy, and in all deeds of goodness and righteousness.

Help the children of this age, O Almighty One, so that they may grow up and mature to Divine sonship and heavenly citizenship, for their eternal salvation and for Thy glory and praise. Amen.

From The Struggle for Faith and other writings of Bishop Nikolai Velimirovich and Archimandrite Justin Popovich, Vol IV of A Treasury of Serbian Orthodox Spirituality