Children are affected by trauma as much as adults. But traumatized children often struggle to express their feelings. Small children may not have words to express grief, fear, anxiety, depression, and anger.

In these moments, children need to know that they are not alone.

That’s why American Bible Society’s Trauma Healing Ministry created God Is With Me: A Family Guide to Living After Disaster. This Bible-based resource is intended to help parents and caregivers help the children they love feel safe during times of uncertainty, especially after a disaster. Also, through the power of Scripture, families are reassured that God is near and he offers his peace even amid crisis.

How You Can Pray

God Is With Me is designed for families with children ages 8-12. The four lessons, “What Just Happened?,” “Why Am I Feeling This Way?,” “‘What Can I do to Feel Better?,” and “Is God Still With Us?” help parents and caregivers guide their children through a process that involves discussion, interactive activity, Scripture reading, and prayer.

Jesus welcomes children. In fact, he became angry at the disciples for scolding the people who were bringing their children to Jesus. In Matthew 19:14 (GNT) Jesus said, “Let the children come to me and do not stop them because the Kingdom of heaven belongs to such as these.” Jesus loves children and invites them to come to him so they can experience peace, joy, and healing.

Today we invite you to join us as we pray that God will comfort and heal traumatized families. Here are three ways you can pray.

• Pray that parents and caregivers will be guided by the Holy Spirit as they lead their children through the journey of healing.
• Pray that children who are traumatized will experience God’s peace and that God will heal them emotionally, spiritually, and physically.
• Pray that the God Is With Me family guide will make its way to families in need of God’s comfort and that it will be shared widely so that many families can experience God’s love.