National Month of Prayer

June is the National Month of Prayer for toddler groups

Toddler groups offer an amazing space for babies, toddlers and their parents and carers to play, experience a warm welcome and develop a supportive community. They come in all shapes and sizes and during the Pandemic, many have adapted in incredible ways to offer support in the local community. They are a place where the love of God can be experienced in so many ways and they are a place where life in all its fullness can be celebrated.

That’s why in June we put aside a whole month to focus on them in prayer. The National Month of Prayer (NMOP) is an initiative of 1277 Make Them Count. It encourages churches, individuals and toddler communities to pray 3 ways – in groups, for groups and across groups in the UK.

2024’s theme is based on Matthew 1 3 : 3 1 – 3 2 ‘From a little seed’. We will be encouraging networks of toddler groups to meet together, to share their joys and challenges and pray for one another.

RESOURCES

Poster
JUMP IN resource from The Salvation Army – The Mustard Seed Ideas to use in a session or service for the NMOP
Fun activities from Muddy Church based on tomato seeds – Let’s Grow It’s not too late to join in growing tomato seeds …
Service ideas from Rev Andrew Ginn (produced in 2019)
Mustard Tree Challenge 2024.

The inspiration behind the poster for the National Month of Prayer came from an amazing wall hanging in Corrymeela (https://www.corrymeela.org/) – a collage of fabric leaves making The Tree of Life!

It set me thinking … and now doing!

What if toddler group leaders made a leaf to add to a tree as described in the parable of the mustard seed? A tree that birds of the air can come and build their nest in? What if toddler group leaders made one leaf with the name and location of their group sewn or stuck on and all the leaves were gathered … symbolic of the enormity of the reach of our toddler groups across the UK? We aim to create a banner that will travel and be displayed in various places and events.

Would you like to join in? Here are the Instructions and here is the leaf template

Mustard Seed Baby Massage – a resource created by Church of Ireland – Board for Ministry with Children and Families

Share your ideas and follow the story

Follow the story 1277 National Month of Prayer Facebook group Feel free to share your ideas, prayer requests, stories etc

Check out what happened in 2023!

Here is a short video of the launch event for the National Month of Prayer held in the Houses of Parliament on June 1st 2023 and the official report.