• Small children hear the Lord. Samuel. heard God when “the word of the Lord was rare.” (1 Sam. 2:11; 3:1)
• Children prophesy and see visions. “Your sons and daughters will prophesy.” (Joel 2:28)
• God hears a child’s cries as he heard Ishmael, an abandoned infant dying of thirst. (Gen. 21:1)
• God uses children as weapons against evil. “From the lips of children and infants,” You have ordained praise because of your enemies to silence the foe and the avenger.” (Psalm 8:2),
• Children worshipped God when the religious leaders were blind. They shouted “Hosanna to the Son of David!”, proclaiming the truth that God had come. (Matt. 21:15-16)

At CiP we include children in our spiritual communities and prayers because it’s Biblical:

• In Joshua 8:35, 2 Chron. 20:13, and Acts 21:5, children are part of the gathering of God’s people.
• In Psalm 22:30-31, children are to serve Him and declare His righteousness. “Posterity will serve Him; future generations will be told about the Lord. They will proclaim His righteousness.”
• In Luke 10:21 Jesus says that God reveals truth and wisdom to those with childlike qualities.
• In Deuteronomy 6:7 God commands us to teach our children diligently at all times and places.

Psalm 78:4-7 is clear: We are to tell the next generation the praiseworthy deeds of the Lord, so that they in turn will tell their children and will put their trust in God and  keep His commands.” A Biblical church must include children in intergenerational prayer and train them in the fullness of the spiritual life.

• That no one will hinder a child’s full participation in the kingdom of heaven. (Mk 10:14)
• That children will be welcomed in the name of Jesus. Jesus said “Whoever welcomes a little child like this in My name welcomes Me.” (Matt. 18:5)
• That every child will be valued and esteemed. Jesus said, “See that you do not despise one of these little ones. heaven.” (Matt.18:10) Children are not nuisances; they matter to God.
• That our children will know Jesus and be nurtured to grow in the Holy Spirit. “Arise, cry out in the night; . . . pour out your hear. . . Lift up your hands to Him for the lives of your children, who faint from hunger.” (Lam. 2:19) Without the Bread of Life children starve spiritually.
• That children mature to fulfil their God-given purposes. “Children are a heritage from the Lord…Like arrows in the hand of a warrior,” and God “has ordained praise” from the lips of children and infants “to silence the foe and the avenger” (Psalm 8:2).

Children have a strategic place in the body of Christ. They are not potential future Christians – they are disciples of Christ NOW. Their gift to the church has too often been neglected or ignored. The prayers of children are powerful, and our Father in Heaven listens to them intently. We want to help children build an intimate relationship with the Father, Son and Holy Spirit. We want to, teach and nurture their dialogue with the Lord and encourage living in intimate relationship with Him.

As we mentor the children around us, they also teach us. Jesus said, “Unless you change and become like little children, you will never enter the kingdom of heaven. (Matt. 18:3-4). CiP joins with Jesus and  welcomes children into the family of God. Together, we seek His face and wait and pray for His return.