A litany for children who have died from bullying

In September 2010, four gay children died from bullying. Children are
being bullied, tormented, and abused for many different reasons, and
there is a distinct upswing on bullying in our schools. Please take
this to prayer with me. (Note: If you wish to use this prayer in a
service, you are free to use with attribution for non-commercial use.
I'd love feedback on how you used it.)

Remember, all bullied children are "somebody's babies."

A Litany for children who have died from bullying
--by Kirkepiscatoid

O
God of justice and mercy, we pray that no more daughters and sons in
this world die as the result of bullying simply because of who they
are; be it race, religion, sexual orientation, or social awkwardness.
Lord, in your mercy,
hear our prayer.

That our schools become places of nurturing and hope rather than shame and derision. Lord, in your mercy,
hear our prayer.

That
our teachers instill values of charity and acceptance in all children
so there is no need for one child to feel superior over another. Lord,
in your mercy,
hear our prayer.

That
parents can put aside what they were sometimes taught, in order to
promote tolerance and diversity at home. Lord, in your mercy,
hear our prayer.

That
our communities support children who feel “different from the others”
and show them lives that are theirs to claim, lives they cannot begin
to imagine to see at home. Lord, in your mercy,
hear our prayer.

That
all children can grow up feeling self-empowered and truly loved simply
as themselves, and not suffer beatings and psychological abuse at home
or school. Lord, in your mercy,
hear our prayer.

O
Lord, you understand this above all others, for your only Son hung
among thieves on a rough wooden cross on a barren hill, just as Matthew
Shepard hung from a rail fence on a lonely road. Be our light in the
darkness, Lord; protect our children and fill them with the love of
your Holy Spirit; hold them in your Son’s loving arms in their most
fearful hours, and be with them always.
Amen.

Originally posted at Kirkepiscatoid, part of the CCblogs network.