The leader of the global Anglican communion, Dr Rowan Williams, has urged Christians to pray for the world's children.
The Archbishop of Canterbury made this call on The World Day of Prayer and Action for Children, which has the backing of UNICEF, Religions for Peace, and Save the Children.
The day stands as a reminder of what a treasure children are within our communities and how they all deserve to grow up in loving and safe environments.
"In every faith community, our children are the treasure that we value beyond price," said the Archbishop.
"A child born into health and safety is a sign of hope in our common life. In children we recognise the preciousness and dignity of the human being as well as a vulnerability which calls for our care and protection.
" The main focus of this year's day of prayer is to put an end to violence against children.
In line with this, the Archbishop insisted all forms of violence against children demand action and prayer and mentioned specifically those children caught up in situations of armed conflict.
"I met children who had suffered unimaginable horror, attacked, abducted, forced into brutalising ways of life - and yet, amidst the anguish, I also encountered precious flames of hope, where local churches and communities strove to protect and restore the lives of their children," he said.
"Many said to me: 'The church never gave up on us.'"
The Archbishop was also deeply impressed with the determination of communities to keep rebuilding their schools after the destruction wreaked by conflict.
"They said that their children and their children’s future were far too precious not to act, and act again," he said. "I urge us all, in churches and other faith communities all around the world, to unite in this World Day of Prayer and Action for the protection and flourishing of our children.”