Oranga Tamariki - Day of Prayer for Children New Zealand 4 March 2018

“Father in heaven we thank you for the gift of children. We pray for all the children of the world. Especially we pray for children in distress – that you would comfort and protect them.

We pray for all neglected, abused and impoverished children in New Zealand and around the world, that you would provide for their material, emotional and spiritual needs. We pray for children who feel excluded due to background and ethnicity, or who face extra physical, emotional or mental challenges – that they may be encouraged, welcomed and appreciated for who they are as one of your children .

We pray grace for all parents and guardians in supporting, loving and protecting their children. Amen.” At the request of the NZ Catholic Bishops Conference Caritas has worked together with the Open Home Foundation – a NZ Christian organisation which works for the care and wellbeing of children - to develop this prayer for this day.