Every year for the past 18 years, Holy Cross Family Ministries, through its member ministry Family Rosary, has sponsored a national competition in which "children are encouraged [to] express their faith through art, poetry and prose." The "Try Prayer! It Works!" contest is open to students in kindergarten through 12th grade, from Catholic schools, home schools, parishes, and other Catholic organizations. In past years, the contest has received more than 3,000 entries.
The contest features a different theme each year:
This year, "Joy to the World!" is the theme of the Try Prayer! It Works! Contest. The Third Joyful Mystery tells the story of The Nativity with Jesus, Mary and Joseph participating in the ultimate family moment. This sharing of love for the birth of His Son shows us God's hope that we will always be united in compassion and caring as a family.
What does The Nativity mean to you? How does your family celebrate the birth of Jesus? How do you celebrate this truly beautiful moment and keep its meaning in your daily life? What do you do to keep the feeling of the Savior's arrival in your heart every day?
Entries in the contest can be in the form of artwork, a poem, or an essay, and the contest is open to all children in grades kindergarten through 12 who are "enrolled in a Catholic school, religious education program, parish, home school or other organization."
More details, as well as links to the application form in both English and Spanish, can be found at the official page of the 2013 Try Prayer Contest. (You can also see the winning entries from last year and from previous years.) Good luck to all the entrants!