Itty bitty fishies in Her Hands

Nate, 3, wanted to pray for his sister's fish who died. The catechist said some words at the altar with him. Then Nate wanted to do work at the Prayer Table and pray for the fish. They set the Prayer Table and Nate was invited to pray. He burst out in song, "She's got the itty bitty fishies in Her hand."

Make me strong...

Natalie, 9, wrote this prayer:
Dear Lord,
Heal those who hurt,
Comfort those who are sad,
And make me strong so I can help.

A wonderful thing will happen

Julie, age 8, wrote this prayer and decorated the border:
Perhaps tomorrow
Perhaps in five years
Maybe thirteen centuries
A wonderful thing will happen
The people, men and women,
shall drink the water of Baptism
And God will be all in all.

Love and Prayer

During a conversation with second graders about intercession and petition I asked, "Why, if God loves us as you have said, and knows us and knows what we need AND how to give it to us--why then do we need to pray for ourselves and one another?" (I was very honestly asking this question of the students, because it has puzzled me for years!)

"We pray because we need to hear ourselves say how much we love someone."

Another added "Yes, it helps when someone is loving us with prayer. We get to hear that they love us."

Someone else said, "And God gets to hear it, too."

During a conversation with kindergartners about intercession and petition I asked, "Why, if God loves us as you have said, and knows us and knows what we need AND how to give it to us--why then do we need to pray for ourselves and one another?" (I was very honestly asking this question of the students, because it has puzzled me for years!)

One answered, "We pray because we need something from God: love."