Teaching Kids to Pray: Lucado Treasury of Bedtime Prayers Review + Free Printable

Prayer is such an important thing isn't it? Perhaps even the single most important aspect of our lives as a Christian. After all, what kind of relationship with God can we have, if we don't talk to him? Learning and remembering to pray is key...and it's never too early to teach our little ones about the importance of prayer!

We all have those classic prayers that we teach our children at bedtime ("Now I lay me down to sleep..." and mealtimes ("God is great, god is good..."), which are great starts...but what about prayers for giving thanks or during play or for others? For those prayers throughout the day, Max & Denalyn Lucado's new children's book Lucado Treasury of Bedtime Prayers is ideal. Take a look:

Prayer is the foundation of a believer’s life. This collection of prayers from Max and Denalyn Lucado offers parents a resource to teach little ones how to talk to God. 

This prayer collection includes classic prayers that have been updated for today’s young readers, introductory stories for each section, as well as twenty new prayers for little ones written by Max and Denalyn. 

Max and Denalyn open the book with an expanded introduction that instructs parents on teaching their children to pray. A helpful prayer builder taken from Max’s trade book Before Amen teaches kids that there are four different kinds of prayers: worship, trust, compassion, and gratitude. This collection of new and classic children’s prayers are divided into ten sections. 

Children will find it easier to learn to pray with examples showing that prayer is a dialogue with God for all times. Beautiful art by Lisa Alderson complements the keepsake style of the book. 

It’s never too early to lay a strong foundation for a child’s faith, and the Lucado Treasury of Bedtime Prayers will help parents do just that.

When I was a child, one of my favorite books to read was a wonderful little collection of Mother Goose rhymes. It featured beautiful artwork, simple rhymes...a classic that was perfect for passing on from generation to generation. This book actually reminded me very much of that collection, but rather than nursery rhymes, it was all prayers! Much like that old favorite, I could see this becoming one of those must haves in every collection that kids can keep forever and pass along to their children as grown ups...it has 'classic' written all over it!

It may be called Lucado Treasury of BEDTIME Prayers, but don't let the name fool you...there are actually prayers for not just bedtime and mealtime...but throughout each and every day. It includes categories like:

• Good Morning, God!
• God, You Are Great!
• My Family and Friends
• In My Play and Through My Day
• My Mealtime Prayers
• God Takes Care of Me
• Teach Me, God
• Prayers for Special Days
• Thank You, God!
• Good Night, God!

There are truly prayers for each part of your child's day! Some are classic prayers we all know and love, others are new...but all are wonderful. They are short, easy to understand and memorize for children. They're perfect for bedtime, mealtime and everything in between. Even as an adult, I enjoyed going through and reading each prayer.

In addition to the prayers themselves, the book also features a letter from Max & Denalyn about the importance of teaching children to pray, and tips on how to make that easier...including how this treasury can help! And it certainly CAN help! The Lucado Treasury of Prayers has quickly become a favorite in our household, and I hope it will in yours as well.

Our Little Jar of Prayers

We were so excited about the book that I decided to create another fun way to remind my little ones to pray. A prayer jar! Want to make your own? Here's how:

Supplies:

• Free Printable
• Jar
• Paper
• Scissors
• Glue

1. Print off  and cut out this free printable.
2. Use glue (such as mod podge) to attach to your jar. Alternately, you could save this step by using sticker paper...but I love the idea of using supplies that most of us already have!
3. Cut a few pieces of paper into small slips.
4. Each day have your child write down what they are praying for that day...something they are worried about? Something they are thankful for? Something they want to share with God? Anything goes! 
5. Place those prayers inside the jar!

That's it! This is great to use in addition to the book as a visual reminder to your little ones that they can make their own prayers as well. Read a few selections from the treasury, and then have them write their own prayer requests!

See more great selections from Max Lucado at Family Christian and be sure to stay up to date on all the latest at the links below:


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What tips do you have for teaching your little ones about prayer?