So he could bless them by touch and prayer

So he could give them a lesson before the crowd

So he could send them away after hearing them

So the adults could argue a point with him

Make room for them to come near Jesus for blessing and prayer

Keep them back until they are old enough to understand everything

Treat their approach as a disturbance to more important ministry

Let them come only after the adults have finished speaking

If you would like to receive Jesus, pray this with me: Lord Jesus, I come to you in my need. I confess that I have sinned and cannot make myself clean. I turn from my sin and trust that you died for me and rose again. Receive me, forgive me, and make me yours. I confess you as my Lord and Savior. Amen.

Come Near to Me

Lord, revive your Church so we welcome children as you do. Forgive our impatience, our distractions, and our tendency to turn the small aside. Give us the joy of bringing people near, blessing them, and praying for them with open hearts, in the name of Jesus. Amen.

Make Your Church Welcoming Again

Father, place your care over the children and young ones in my life. Keep them safe, steady, and close to you; let them know they are wanted, seen, and loved, in the name of Jesus. Amen.

Cover the Children

Start by naming the child before God, then ask Jesus to draw that child near, and finish by asking for wisdom to speak blessing instead of irritation or hurry.

Pray a Blessing Over a Child

Thank God for: his welcome for children; the value he places on small and overlooked people; the gift of prayer over those you love; any child who has been brought near to Jesus.

Give Thanks for Jesus' Welcome

Father, forgive me when I am impatient with children or quick to treat them as interruptions. Soften my heart, teach me to make room, and help me honor what you value, in the name of Jesus. Amen.

Forgive My Closed Heart

Τότε{TO-te###TOH-teh###Then} ⸀προσηνέχθησαν{pro-see-NEKH-thee-san###proh-see-NEKH-thee-sahn###were brought} αὐτῷ{af-TO###ahf-TOH###to him} παιδία{pe-DI-a###peh-DEE-ah###children} ἵνα{HI-na###HEE-nah###so that} τὰς{TAS###TAHS###the} χεῖρας{KHEE-ras###KHEE-rahs###hands} ἐπιθῇ{e-pi-THEE###eh-pee-THEE###he might lay} αὐτοῖς{af-TEES###ahf-TEES###on them} καὶ{KE###KEH###and} προσεύξηται·{pro-SEF-ksee-te###proh-SEHF-ksee-teh###he might pray} οἱ{HEE###HEE###the} δὲ{DE###DEH###but} μαθηταὶ{ma-thee-TE###mah-thee-TEH###disciples} ἐπετίμησαν{e-pe-TEE-mee-san###eh-peh-TEE-mee-sahn###(They) rebuked} αὐτοῖς.{af-TEES###ahf-TEES###them}

Matthew 19:13 — FormalTAB

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