Month of prayer for toddler group ministries

The National Month of Prayer for toddler group ministries will again take place in June, with this year’s theme being ‘From a little seed’ and Matthew 13:31-32 (The Parable of the Mustard Seed) the keynote scripture. This annual prayer focus encourages churches to pray for the work of their toddler groups as they reach out to serve the needs of families in the local community

During the month, various activities are planned: seeds will be planted, and nests made - reminding people of this wonderful parable; local prayer networks will meet together to share the joys and challenges of their groups and pray; and some churches are even devoting a whole service to the celebration of the ministry and outreach of their toddler group.

The month is co-ordinated by the charity 1277, the national network of church-based toddler groups,. 1277 (the number of days from birth to nursery) wants the groups, the leaders, the children and their families to be supported in prayer.

Mary Hawes, National Children & Youth Adviser, Church of England, said, 'Toddler groups continue to be the hidden treasure of church life. In the month of prayer, let’s pray that they will be places where children, parents and carers can find a welcome, encounter the love of God and find a place to ‘make their nests’.'

'I would encourage us all to pray daily for both the people who run and the parents and children who attend toddler groups that we know of,' said Tony Sharp – Who Let The Dads Out? Project Coordinator at Care for the Family.

'May these groups, so often born from a small seed of a vision, become ever sturdier branches of even mightier trees, where whole families feel welcomed and loved, and can flourish as they grow.'