Oasis Youth Shelter in Ft. Myers, FL is operated by Lutheran Services Florida as a short-term, residential shelter for runaways and troubled youth, providing individual and family counseling for youth with truant or ungovernable behavior.  These prayers were written by youth at the shelter in the days approaching Thanksgiving 2008.  Click here to read more about LSF's Youth Shelter program.

 

Dear God, I wish that all my troubles will go away. And that I could start all over again. So I know that that can’t happen. But mainly I don’t know because what I want for Christmas is that I have a nice year, with no trouble and with no worries. So that’s all that I ask for and that my family could be together for ever or at least get along. -- By K.P.

Dear God, I pray to get a house with my Mom and my sister and to live happy. -- By J. L. F.

Dear God, I want my mama to get out of jail before Christmas so we can spend time together and have so much fun together. And so she can see her sisters and go out to the club. -- By A.

Dear God, I don’t know… I just wish my family can get along for Christmas. Just one day of peace without arguing and fighting. We should actually wake up to presents, especially ones we want. Everyone should just be happy and thankful for life if nothing else on Christmas. -- By R.H.

Lord, I want to ask you to bless me in this place. I ask you to help me get something out of Oasis. Help me understand what I did bad and that I need to change because I’m not only hurting my self I’m hurting my family. I want you to help my little sister understand that I’m here to change and think about what I did. Bless my family and me. Thank you, Lord. -- By M.D.

Dear Lord, all I want to say is that I love you, and I also want to ask if you bless all my family and friends. And keep them safe for ever and I just want you to praise them. Love you. -- By Unnamed

Dear Lord, I want something really badly; one thing is a PSP, another thing is for my parents to be blessed. For something else I want my brother to be blessed too. -- By J.B.

Dear Lord, I pray that my Dad finds out that I deserve a better life. I pray that I can go live with my Aunt and start a "new" life. I need to go and make my life better… straighten up. I just need to be with family not locked up or in a program. I pray I can just live with someone that shows they care for me. That is all I pray for. -- By A.W.

Dear God, I would like to pray for my parents because my dad is going through a hard time at work. And also my Father because he’s been going out of town a lot and just keep him safe while he flies. Also for Christmas, just because I want it to go well and for all the people that don’t see their family, that they can make it through the holiday. Also the people that might be starving that they can also have a good Christmas and hopefully get a good meal. -- By M.M.

Dear God, I wish that I can have all my kids with me and that I would have the permission to look at Mrs. Danielle as a mother figure. Love, DM -- By D.M.

Dear God, I wish my Mom and Dad will start to get along and I can start seeing my mom more. -- By S.M.

Dear God, Please help me through this. The problems I’m going through. Please help me go back to my real Mom. Please Lord, just help me do better. I want to be with my real mama. I do love my adopted family but I just want to be with my real Mom. Thank you Lord for hearing me. Love always. -- By Unnamed

Dear God, I pray for my baby to make it by being born normal and healthy. Also graduate high school. Find a good job. -- By D.M.