Teach Your Children Well

O God, you have taught us through your blessed son that whoever receives a little child in the name of Christ receives Christ himself: We give thanks for the blessing you have bestowed upon all those who care for your children.  Confirm their joy by a lively sense of your presence with them, and give them calm strength and patient wisdom as they seek to bring the children in their care to love all that is true and noble, just and pure, lovable and gracious, excellent and admirable, following the example of our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ, Amen.

                                      - The Book of Common Prayer


Recently, a mother brought her two daughters to a mosque in order to vandalize it and teach her daughters to hate Muslims.  This is the opposite of the statement here.  It is the opposite of what Christ wants us to do.

Teaching children that the Bible condemns people based on their sexual orientation is the opposite of what Christ wants us to do.

Teaching children that the poor are that way because they are lazy and don't believe in God enough is the opposite of what Christ wants us to do.

Teaching children that it is ok to discriminate and hate is not what Christ wants us to do.

Give us the strength and courage to teach our children to love and open their hearts.  It's a hard world, I know.  But we do not help our children by encouraging them to inherit our resentments and prejudices.

We can make a better world.  We can bring the Kingdom of Heaven closer to Earth.  It just takes courage, love, and faith.