The Pray-A-Thon is an initiative for children as Ireland prepares to host WMOF2018 in August. It is an invitation to reach out to family members/friends and pray for them and any special intentions they might have. Similar to the aim of read-a-thons of fostering the habit of regular reading, the Pray-A-Thon can also encourage children in the practice of praying within the family home.
Easily downloadable, the prayer card can be printed by schools, parishes or parents, and given to children to fold into a booklet, bring home and fill in individually. The card has space for up to 20 names and the children write down the names of family members/friends for whom they will pray on each day of their Pray-A-Thon. Individual lists can be as long or as short as each child decides; the Pray-A-Thon is a personal commitment and not a competition! Children are invited to pray using the words "please, thank you and I am sorry" that Pope Francis encourages us to use within our family life. On the last day, the children pray for family members or friends that have died as well as for families around the world in need.
IS THE PRAY-A-THON ONLY FOR CHILDREN?
The Pray-A-Thon is not only for children: it is for everyone! Parishes from around the country are photocopying the Pray-A-Thon and making it available to all their parishioners; chaplains will be making them available within hospitals, universities and schools. We have also sent a special invitation to religious and missionaries of Ireland to join us in this initiative. We are calling on international pilgrims, youth groups, parents, grandparents, and you too, to join our Pray-A-Thon as a way of preparing our hearts for August 2018.
Download resources here