Blessings and prayers
These words of blessing and prayer were written by students who visited the REAL. LIFE. Exhibit and learned about children who survived the tsunami disaster and children who endured rebel fighting in northern Uganda. These tender messages reflect the hearts of thousands of students who used these messages to reach out to people in need around the world.
If you wish to add your thoughts, e-mail them to us with “Blessings and prayers message” in the subject line.
“You’ve been through more than I can imagine, but please do not give up hope! Remember God is always there for you, and, trust me, he’s a good listener. We’re praying for you.”—Breanna
“Dear children, my heart cries out for you. Remember that God loves you unconditionally and that He is always with you. God is the source of hope. I’ll be praying for you. You are worth so much. Keep strong.”—Katy
“I’m sorry that this has happed to you, but no matter what happens to you, know that you are loved and that God loves you and is always there for you. And He wants to pick you up and hold you in His arms. He loves you more than you could ever know.”—Ariel
“Never forget that you are a child of God. He created you exactly how you are in the image of him. Your strength and courage will take you a long way. It may be hard, but always believe in him and have hope. God loves you with everything he has, and so do I.”—Jessi
“You are not forgotten. No matter what other people do to you or make you do, God is still waiting for you. Pray to Him, ask for His help. God loves you and is willing to forgive anything you’ve ever done, if you ask Him. God knows your name, just as He knows mine. We’re brothers and sisters in God if you accept what God offers. I love you.”—John
“I’m not going to pretend to know what it’s like to be in your situation. I don’t know what it’s like to be taken from my family or to live in eternal fear. If someone forced me to kill my friends and family...I don’t know. That would be devastating. I am praying for you. I am so sorry. Oh, God, watch over them and give them comfort. Please cry out to Jesus when you need Him. I know it may seem like God doesn’t exist or doesn’t care—but He does. I want to be with you right now. You’re brave—much stronger than I am. I will cry for you tonight. God be with you. Please don’t lose hope. You mean everything to me, even though I don’t know your name. You are wonderful and amazing. Please...please keep hope. Help is on the way, but it has a lot of people to reach. I love you.”—Kathryn
“My heart breaks for you, as tears fill my eyes. I am reminded of each moment of my sheltered life, and I ache to offer the same to you. Your fight, your strength inspire me. Our God compels me to keep working, to continue school to have more resources for you. My heart and my passion above all else is to bring you life in our Lord. Every step I make from this day to the last, may it be in respect to your plight, that God’s truth and justice and love may overcome and be known more fully. I long to embrace you and extend, no, pour my strength out for your joy. In God, you are loved. In Him there is healing and promise of life and love.”—K
“Go to Jesus! He loves you!”—Betsy
“My heart is torn for you. I will be praying for you, that you would have hope and learn how to love. Love is the most important thing you can have. It is easy when you have been hurt to ignore the scars on your heart by only hating others, but this is not what Jesus was like. I will be praying for you, that you will learn how to forgive your enemies and love others.”—Stephanie
“Don’t ever give up. Even when it gets too hard that it seems like there is no hope, there is hope. When everything else is stripped away and all that is left is you, God is there. He is holding you and wiping your tears. He will never leave you or abandon you. Just remember that he loves you. Please don’t give up. “—Kaitlyn
“I feel like I have no right to shed these tears. I will never come close to understanding your experiences. But I know that Jesus Christ understands you perfectly. Turn to Him, and He will give you peace and love.”—Kyle
“I cannot begin to feel your pain but send to you hope in a Savior, Jesus Christ. He loves you and is watching over you, always. He will give you strength and wisdom in your life when you call out to Him. He is waiting and the best healer. My prayers are with you.”
“Do not lose hope. God created you with a purpose. He has good plans for you. Always remember that the devil is a liar and should always be under our feet. God loves you very much, take heart.”—Daisy Nayula (Kenya, Africa)
“Please, don’t give up faith and hope. God is there for you, even when you don’t think so. People can help only so much but God can heal broken hearts and any problem in your life. God loves you so much, and I pray that He will guide and protect you always. Trust God! No matter how hard it seems now, never lose hope. I will be praying for you, and I know things will get better. In heaven, I will see you, and I will hope that we can have a good time.”—Geovany
“I know it may seem like you are nothing, but remember God sees you as everything! No matter what you have done or will do remember that Jesus always loves you more than anything and he will always forgive you! Hold on and be strong.”—Alexis
“Nothing in my life can even compare to what you have been through and are going through. You have no idea how strong you are. I am amazed. Always remember that you can find strength in God. He listens to every word you say, and will always answer you. We are praying for you, and I will always keep you in my thoughts. You will make it with God’s help.”—Kelsee
“We love you so much! Please, don’t lose hope. There are people praying for you! I wish I could be with you right now so I could give you a hug. But I can’t be with you now, so all I can do is cry for you and pray for you. I’ll never forget you or your story. When things get hard, cry out to Jesus.”—Kaylee
“Grab on and hold tight to Jesus’ hand. He suffered too. And...God has all of eternity to make it up to you.... And He will.”
“Don’t give up hope. When you feel like giving up or that no one cares about you or loves you, turn to God for strength. He loves you so, so much more than you can comprehend. Run into His open, outstretched arms. He loves you, and you are precious and dear to Him. He knows and watches over you. He wants to give you hope and a new life. He will always be with you in every circumstance that you encounter. Just believe, trust and rely on and in Him. He loves you so, so much. I am praying for you.”—Julie
“God sees your pain and knows how you hurt on the inside. He is with you to give you hope and to give you strength. He will bring you through this time. It will take time. Be patient and trust in God who loves you. I am praying for you.”—Kathy
“I know that there is nothing I could say that would stop the pain or the terrible things that are happening to you, but this I can say: God loves you. Believe in him and his power and I know that things will get better. You will always be in my prayers. Stay strong and God bless you!”—Rubin
“I pray with all my heart that all this grief will be ended for you. I have great faith that the Lord will reward you for your struggles. I send you love. Find strength in your faith. May the Spirit guide you and protect you always. Remember, I love you in a way I can’t explain. My heart is with you.”—Callie, age 15
“Many prayers are going out to you right now. God has not left you, even though it may feel like it. He is watching out for you. He is making you stronger, and He loves you very much. Even though you do not know me, I am praying for you . God will provide.”—Carriann
“I am praying for you. You are loved. I will never forget you. Remember that you are always loved. God is watching over you. You are His child, and He loves you.”
“Although everything you ever knew is gone, have HOPE. There is a God who loves you and wants to have a relationship with you. He sent his only son Jesus Christ to die for you so you wouldn’t have to suffer. Jesus loves you and wants you to know. It takes only a simple prayer. Things will get better.”—Matt
“I’m so sorry, but I’m so glad you’re alive. May God grace you for these difficult times and strengthen you through this trial. Truly He will bring good to you. Trust Him. You’re in our prayers.”—Melinda
“Take refuge in the Lord. You are forgiven, the loved ones from your village, the ones you were forced to kill and those you watched die are safe with the Lord now. Find peace.”
“Dear heavenly, gracious Father. Please be with these people. Please give them strength and hope, Father, that we could see their faces again. Amen.”—Skye, age 14
“As I stare at this piece of paper, I wonder and even cry out, why am I here and you there, worlds apart? But it isn’t about me. My heart aches, breaks, and I am forced to trust in the Lord for you. My prayers go out to you. May the victory of Christ Jesus’ resurrection give you hope to wake up each morning. May his love pour over you in relief.”—Kristina
“God is love. God is comfort. God is security. God is hope. He is peace. He is salvation. God is life. The Bible says so. Go to Jesus! He loves you!”—Betsy
“Brothers and sisters, I will never forget you. Stay strong in the Lord. If you have a Bible, read the Book of Job.”—Josh
“I pray that I will not forget you. I pray I’ll respond every time God calls me to do something. I pray my heart will be broken. I pray you will be cared for. May we all know that God is good.”—C
“I don’t think that saying I am sorry for your loss would be enough. I have never gone through the things you have. But God gives me a love for you that understands your pain. My prayers are with you. Remember that you always have a Father. He is with you always. I love you, and He loves you more.”—Margie
“Cry out to Jesus in your darkest hours. His arms are long and strong. He will always protect you and love you all of your days. When no one else cares, remember Jesus!”—Mia
“When you think no one hears you crying, know that God does. He loves you and has a perfect plan for you! Keep praying and keep your faith strong and He will protect you.”
“I cannot express the pain in my heart for you. I cannot even comprehend your pain, but I can tell you that God loves you. Thank God you have survived. He is with you always, as are my thoughts and prayers. There is a place in my heart for you, forever.”—Sarah
“Your life has so much value and God has not forgotten you. Stay strong and stand up for what you believe in. You will be in my constant prayers, and I will do everything in my power to change things. You are not forgotten. I will never forget you. Maybe I can sit and talk with you one day.”—Ashley, age 16
“In the Bible it says that God is a strong tower and He takes care of and doesn’t forget about those who trust in Him. God loves you beyond what you can think. I pray for you. May God bless you for your strength!”—Morgan
“El Roi—the God who sees. Though many do not see and know, God sees and knows your struggles. And now so do we.”
“I cannot imagine what you are going through. I pray for you and that you will have peace in your hearts. God is out there, and he wants you to trust him. It is my prayer that someday I can be a doctor so I can help people like you! I am praying.”
“God is bigger than war and bigger than all of the world’s problems. Hold on to Jesus even through the hard times, because He will save you in the end.”—Chelsea
“We love each and every one of you. I pray for you every night, hoping that this will end. I might not be there to help you now, but our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ is. Believe in Him, and he will do great things for you. Don’t forget, we are each brother and sister, just as we are God’s children. I love you all, and so does God. Take care. Be safe and trust in God. Love always, your sister in the Lord.”—Cecilia