I’m Your Child, God: Prayers for Our Children by Marian Wright Edelman. Age: grades 2-8.
This author, founder and president of the Children’s Defense Fund, is well known as an effective national voice for children. This book of prayers written by her, for today’s children who live in an increasingly complex world, is a testament to faith and love.
Sections of prayers include Prayers for Younger Children, Prayers for Older Children, Prayers for Special Occasions, Prayers for Struggle and Strength, and Traditional Prayers. Going far beyond basic prayers, these prayers sometimes ask open-ended questions in order to cause children to ponder, and encourage discussion between the child and God, and perhaps a loving adult sharing the prayers with the child. I pray there is a loving adult for every child who reads this book, though I know that will not always be the case. All the more reason for these heartfelt prayers.
There are prayers for children who feel lonely, joyful or scared, and for kids in turbulent or stressful home situations – for kids facing a move, going through a divorce, or the death of a family member (and also a pet). There are prayers full of yearning, and prayers of joy and hope. This book helps kids build faith in their very special support and friend: God.
This book’s illustrations depict children of all races, which rounds out the book very nicely. If your kids are ready for prayers that are something more than, “Now I Lay Me Down to Sleep,” give this book a try. These prayers are full of God’s love for each of us, and especially for the youngest and most vulnerable of us – our precious children. ( )