Make room for a child or another easily missed person and give them your attention

Wait to include them until they are old enough to contribute like everyone else

Let them stay near the group, but keep the important attention on the already established people

Invite them briefly, but keep the gathering centered on efficiency rather than on their presence

If you would like to receive Jesus, pray this with me: Lord Jesus, I admit that I have sinned and kept myself far from you. I believe you died for my sins and rose again. Thank you for calling me to yourself when I could not bring myself near. I turn from my sin and open my life to you. Be my Lord and my Savior, bring me into your care, and lead me from this day forward. Amen.

Come Close to Me, Lord Jesus

Lord, revive your Church so we do not push children, newcomers, or quiet people to the edges. Teach us to call people near, make room with joy, and honor the small as you do. Put compassion and welcome at the center of our life together, in the name of Jesus. Amen.

Make Your Church Welcoming Again

Thank you, Lord, for the way Jesus drew a child close and gave that child a central place. Thank you that your care notices the small, the young, and the easily missed. Teach us to receive that kindness with gratitude and to pass it on to others.

Grateful for Your Attention

Pray by naming one place where you tend to overlook children, newcomers, or quiet people. Ask God to make you attentive, then ask for one simple action that will help someone feel welcome this week.

Learn How to Make Room

Pray for children, shy people, and anyone who feels pushed aside. Ask God to surround them with safety, honest attention, and a real place to belong.

For the Small and Overlooked

Lord, forgive me for wanting the center for myself and for overlooking people who seem small. Grow in me the humility to make room, listen well, and honor the people you place before me, in the name of Jesus. Amen.

Lay Down the Need to Be Central

καὶ{KE###KEH###And} ⸀προσκαλεσάμενος{pros-ka-le-SA-me-nos###prohs-kah-leh-SAH-meh-nohs###having summoned} παιδίον{pe-DI-on###peh-DEE-ohn###a child} ἔστησεν{E-stee-sen###EH-stee-sehn###he set} αὐτὸ{af-TO###ahf-TOH###him} ἐν{en###ehn###in} μέσῳ{ME-so###MEH-soh###midst of} αὐτῶν{af-TON###ahf-TOHN###them}

Matthew 18:2 — DynamicTAB

More on this verse