Common Prayer for Children and Families

The best gift to little ones is to share what we know of God's love, trustworthiness, and genius. We first hear of those things in the stories of the Bible and the prayers of the church. This little book of prayers will help keep children and families fastened to God in prayer and praise for generations. --The Rt. Rev. Robert C. Wright, The Episcopal Diocese of Atlanta Common Prayer for Children and Families will become your go-to resource at home or church for prayers on any occasion. Easy to use, practical and spiritual, this book will bring those who use it closer to God and each other. The old standards and new prayers will become so familiar to those who read and share them. I wish I had this book when I was growing up! --Pattie Ames, Christian Formation Missioner, The Episcopal Diocese of Southwestern Virginia As a children's pastor for more than a quarter century and now also as a grandmother, I am particularly attuned to books that enrich and create meaning in the lives of children and their families. This is such a book. I could say it is the adorable illustrations that I love about this book, and I could say it is the mealtime prayers and praying throughout the days of the week that add meaningful context to daily family life; however, the real depth of this book is that it will encourage prayer and prayer life with children and especially create a meaningful rhythm through the liturgical seasons of the church year. It also provides prayers for the victories and challenges that life inevitably brings. I am especially drawn to the personal stories of the authors that grace the beginning of each section. This is a prayer book that I intend to keep on my own bookshelf as well as a book I will want to gift to young families at baby showers or baptism celebrations or gift just for no reason other than it is a book that will encourage prayer and prayer life with children and their parents. --Trevecca Okholm, adjunct professor of practical theology, Azusa Pacific University, author of Kingdom Family: Re-Envisioning God's Plan for Marriage and Family Common Prayer for Children and Families is a wonderful collection of prayers, but more importantly the personal stories, encouragement, and ideas that Jenifer and Timothy share provide inspiration for busy parents hoping to make faith the foundation of their family life. These prayers use language that is easily accessible for children without sacrificing depth of meaning. The most beautiful thing about this work is the way it encourages families to pray together in so many circumstances, putting God at the center of their lives. --Sarah Bentley Allred, Director of Children and Family Ministries, St. John's Episcopal Church, Wake Forest, North Carolina and Associate for Christian Formation and Discipleship, Department of Lifelong Learning, Virginia Theological Seminary Jenifer Gamber and Timothy Seamans have crafted an accessible, beautiful resource for families. Rooted in the tradition of common prayer, it is expansive in its creative use of language and illustration and well-organized for the seasons of the church. While intended for children, it is applicable to all who seek the daily rhythm of prayer for life. --The Rev. Michael Sullivan, President and CEO of Kanuga