Loving our Pillars and Plants 

“Pray for children, youth, and young adult ministers to find effective ways to connect & encourage young people to make good, responsible, Christlike choices right now.”  April 27, Dominique Gilliard

“I must remind you that starving a child is violence. Neglecting school children is violence. Punishing a mother and her family is violence. Discrimination against a working man is violence.” Coretta Scott King

In the same way that unemployment offices are overrun right now, the minds and hearts of educators and youth ministers are buzzing with anxiety and wonder about how they will minister in this season. For young people who do not have functioning devices or reliable connection to WiFi, there is a noted lack of resources. For they are unable to receive the messages intended to maintain and improve their academic excellence. Our Mother Coretta Scott King calls this neglect violence, and many education advocates agree. There is no reason to withhold the dignity of learning from young people, no matter the situation. We are capable of imagining resources and then making sure the materialized visions of dignity and care reach their yearning hands. This is what youth and children’s ministers do. This is their spiritual function. In faith education and emotional intelligence, ministers for youth and children’s spiritual health are critical to any future we hope to see. 

In 2006 and 2007, I was interim coordinator of youth ministries at my church. In part because I was assisting the director of Music Ministries, but mostly because I am a woman. When I left that position and pursued ministry leadership in work and title, I left some of my favorite humans in the world -  women I still know as my bible study babies. I wanted to be an example of honesty for them, and I had a growing sense of my complacency to a sexist system. But my path to truth-telling required my distance from them. And I have not quite forgiven myself for not explaining that better, for not going back more often, for not creating a way to maintain regular communications and plan check-ins. I longed for fellowship with them like they were my family. I still love them like they are my baby girls and I feel auntie pride whenever I see them living in abundance, loving well, and demanding the respect they deserve. 

For so many youth and young adult ministry leaders, distance has been painful because they feel like their family is far away. Children’s ministry leaders are important parts of a family’s spiritual life. They help parents guide children through theological identity and offer formative experiences. When our babies ask big questions, we rarely answer them on our own. 

A good children’s minister sees the full humanity of a child. They see what Jesus sees and they long to shepherd and empower the young ones in their care to truly inherit the kingdom. May we keep in step with their compassion, and remember their work as sorely needed in our world today.

“May our sons in their youth be like plants full grown, our daughters like corner pillars cut for the structure of a palace” from Psalm 144

Lord, hear the prayers of your people

God of youthful faith, we come to you in wonderment and worry today. We see the young people you have given us show resilience in this season. The little ones are determined to laugh and smile, the youth are innovative in their keeping time, entertaining themselves and each other.  You created the imaginations of these your children, and you have made up the minds of the people who educate and minister to them. 

Lord, we need your power today. We need you to show us the way to uplift and enliven the young ones who are quickly running out of steam. Your ministers of peace and encouragement are holding back the danger and foolishness being thrown upon your children. Lord, we are up against restrictions on schooling caused by lack of access to education resources.

We are unnerved by the potential for learning loss. 

We are worried for our youth who face temptation toward violence. 

We are worried for our little ones who do not live with faithful guardians. 

We are unsure of our abilities to engage wisely the tensions of this season.

We are worried about the young ones that we have not been able to talk to, the ones that we are unable to find. 

We cry for the young people who have died from COVID-19 complications. 

We mourn our helplessness in being prohibited to comfort the youth who are sick, or to comfort the families who are mourning. 

We do not know what is best for our babies at this time.  We long to be near to our young people.  We are trying to trust your care for your children. 

O God of innocence and might, you love them more than we ever could. You see every day of their lives laid out before you. Protect them Lord,  Send your power to cheer the faint hearts of ministers who feel far from their flock.

“And to those who have no might He increases strength. Even the youths shall faint and be weary, and the young men shall utterly fall, but those who wait on the Lord shall renew their strength; they shall mount up with wings like eagles, they shall run and not be weary, they shall walk and not faint.” Isaiah 40:29-31

Many of our babies are tempted to self-harm, please show us how to call them beloved and vital. 

Many of us lose and rediscover hope day to day, hour by hour. Lead us to commit to clinging to hope even when we feel thrown off a cliff. 

Many of us just... can’t...go another further. Let us find ourselves energized by your all knowing and ever youthful spirit.

Many of us are leaned upon to make sense of the season, and we find ourselves unable to bring a word of foresight to the young people who depend on our wisdom.

Many of our youth are queer and in hiding. They are afraid to tell their parents. They are afraid to tell their faith communities and their friends.

Many of our youth are essential workers. They won’t survive without working through this crisis. They provide for their families and at risk of their own health.

Many of our young ones are DACA Dreamers. They are facing segregation in education and social services. They are being destroyed by the deceptions of people in power. 

Many of our babies are in danger, they do not know when they will see another friendly face. 

Many of our babies are hungry, they are wondering if their next meal will come, and if it does, will it truly satiate? Will we have more than cultural and literal crumbs to fill our bellies?

Many of our babies are guarded by desperate parents. Guardians who are lonely for other adult interaction and assistance in teaching their youth and children.

We need you, Almighty Minister of Mercy to stop by and see about these your children.

God of all Wisdom, you have a word for us, we know you do! Deliver your message to us and through us, for the sake of our thriving in this season.  For the sake of your children who you have placed in our care. “May our sons in their youth be like plants full grown, our daughters like corner pillars cut for the structure of a palace”

Lord, hear the prayers of your people.

Scripture: Psalm 144

Experience: #CelebrateCoretta. April 27th would be the 93rd birthday of Coretta Scott King.

Coretta Scott, Reading of the Children’s Book by Ntozake Shange, Illustrated by Kadir Nelson https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BaNtCwoFhbQ

Coretta’s story about her childhood. https://youtu.be/8FlFKG5p31k

Music: Hopeful, Faith Evans // You Haven’t Done Nothing, Stevie Wonder

Artwork: Frank Morrison

Prayer Requests: https://forms.gle/n8SXo2TbySX3T2iE6

COVID-19 Prayer Calendar by Dominique Gilliard

https://dominiquegilliard.com/2020/03/22/covid-19-prayer-calendars/