Let’s Encourage Children to Pray for Peace
At this moment when everything could change in an instant,
when war seems to be at our doorstep,
Heaven offers us an opportunity
to change the course of events:
children praying the Rosary!
So simple, so powerful!
WHY?
As the Lord tells us in His Word, in Psalm 8:
“O Lord, Your splendor is sung by the mouths of children, of the very young: a bulwark You set against the adversary, where the enemy is shattered in his rebellion. ”
The prayer of children is a shield against the Divider, who is the source of conflicts and wars. Thanks to the purity of children’s hearts and their innocence, their prayer touches the Heart of God and enables Him to unleash His full Power. This truly came to pass:
- At Pontmain, in 1870, the Virgin Mary appeared to two young boys. She asked them to pray, and the Prussian army, which was in the process of invading France, turned back that very night.
- At Fatima, Portugal, in 1917, in the midst of World War I, the Blessed Virgin asked three little shepherds to pray the Rosary every day to bring about an end to the war. Their prayer was answered shortly thereafter.
- At Île-Bouchard, in 1947, a civil war was on the verge of ravaging France. Four little girls prayed the Rosary at the request of the Virgin Mary; the civil war was narrowly averted, in a completely unexpected way.
HOW TO DO THIS?
In practice, we invite you to have the children around you pray for world peace for five consecutive days, especially from October 3 to 7, the Feast of Our Lady of the Rosary. The prayer requested by the Blessed Virgin is always the Rosary. Depending on the children’s age, they can pray one or more decades.
Each day, for five consecutive days (or more):
- Have the children listen to the account of an apparition of the Virgin Mary in which she invites children to pray for peace (found in the prayer kit below);
- Read one or more prayer intentions for peace (from the prayer kit);
- Have the children pray one or more decades of the Rosary.
We invite you to continue this children’s prayer for nine consecutive months. Let us be assured that all these prayers from pure hearts will touch God’s heart and help bring about peace in the world.
We encourage you to join this great movement of children’s prayer on the Hozana website:
READY-TO-USE PRAYER KIT
To help and encourage children to pray, you will find the following below:
- Videos and stories of the Blessed Virgin Mary inviting children to pray;
- Mysteries and prayer intentions;
- A coloring page of the Rosary for the World ;
- Helping children make a Rosary bracelet;
- A video of children praying the Rosary.
1. Videos and stories of the Blessed Virgin Mary inviting children to pray
1. Ile Bouchard
2. Fatima
3. Our Lady of Pontmain
click here
[two more stories to come]
2. Mysteries and Prayer Intentions
First Mystery : The Annunciation
The angel Gabriel said to Mary that she will be the Mother of the Savior.
Lord, we ask You for peace among all nations and within each nation.
– Blessed Virgin Mary, pray with us that the wars may end.
Second Mystery : The Birth of Jesus
Our Saviour was born in a humble and poor stable in Bethlehem.
« Lord, Prince of Peace, we ask you to bring peace to our families and to all families. Jesus, Mary, and Saint Joseph, bring joy and love to families. »
Third Mystery : The Death of Jesus on the Cross
Jesus dies out of love for humanity, and Mary stands by His side.
Lord, come to the aid of all who suffer from war. Protect the children and all those in danger.
Blessed Virgin Mary, comfort those who mourn and bring Your help to those in need.
Fourth Mystery : The Resurrection
Jesus triumphs over death and opens the gates of eternal life for us.
Lord, send your Holy Spirit into all hearts. We believe that You are the One who has won the victory. We trust You completely.
Fifth Mystery : The Coronation of Mary in Heaven
Mary is Queen of Heaven and earth, and she brings all our prayers to her Son Jesus.
Lord, save our world and let your Peace reign in all hearts.
Blessed Virgin Mary, we thank you for protecting our world. We offer you our hearts for Peace.
3. Color a Rosary for the World
To download the coloring page, click here.
4. Helping children make a Rosary bracelet
Material
- Elastic cord
- 10 identical beads
- 1 different bead (optional, to mark the beginning)
- 1 small Cross and/or a medal
- Cissors
- Jewelry glue (optional, to secure the knot)
Assembly
- Cut about 10 to 12 inches of elastic thread.
- Thread the 10 beads.
- If you’re using a different bead, add it before the cross.
- Thread both ends of the thread through the loop of the cross (if the cross is pierced on one side only) or attach the cross using a small ring if necessary.
- Close the bracelet with a double knot, then a surgeon’s knot for added security.
- Apply a small drop of glue to the knot (optional).
- Cut off the excess cord and slide the knot inside a bead to hide it.
Tips
You can use wooden, glass, natural stone, or mother-of-pearl beads (about 8 mm in diameter or 5/16 inch) and a few seed beads between each bead. You can also add a Miraculous Medal next to the cross.
