365 Talks with Jesus: Prayers to Share with Little Ones. Amy Parker. Illustrated by Sally Garland. 2024. [February 2024] 416 pages. [Source: Review copy]
This prayer book for young children [toddlers through lower elementary] contains 365 prayers. These prayers are arranged in thematically into sections: "When I Am Happy," "When I Am Sad," "When I Am Afraid," "When I Am Thankful," "When I Worry," "When I Am Angry," When I Feel Alone," "When Someone is Mean," "When I Need to Share," "When I Need Help," "When I Need to Forgive," When I Need Peace," "When I've Done Something Wrong," "When I Don't Know What To Do," "When I Have to Do Hard Things," "When I Don't Understand," "When I Wonder About God," "When I Wonder About Jesus," "When I Wonder About the Bible," "When I Wonder About Heaven."
The prayers are straight-forward, kid-friendly, relatable, concise, not overly flowery, not unnaturally rhyming. In other words, everything I personally think a kid's prayer book should be.
My first impression is that I would have absolutely LOVED this book as a kid. I think I would have worn out a copy of it. Not because it being poorly made, but because I could imagine my younger self praying some of these sections through OFTEN. I appreciate the child's point of view that has been kept front and center. Will every reader find it authentic? I can only say that I found it authentic.
As an adult I appreciate the doctrinal skeleton upon which these prayers are built. There is a strong biblical foundation. I feel--for whatever it's worth--that the author of these prayers is familiar with the Word of God, values the Word of God, upholds the Word of God as being the VERY (actual) Word of God.
This book certainly could be read cover to cover, one prayer a day. BUT I think the value is in the fact that you can use it as a resource. As many times a day as you want, for example, and matching the prayer with the day's experiences and emotions. This book isn't necessarily something to "check off" a list, a "duty" to be done. It is a practical, in-the-moment guide to ease parents and young children into prayer. Again, I think the emphasis is not pray these exact prayers forever and ever. I think it is a way to train hearts and minds to talk naturally with God. I wouldn't be surprised if the ultimate goal was for little ones to begin praying their own words to God.
Sample prayers [aka Quotes]
Dear Jesus, Just knowing that You are with me makes me happy. I love singing songs about You. I love reading about You. I love talking to You. Thank You for bringing so much joy! Amen.
Dear Jesus, The Bible reminds us that we are happy when we trust in You (Proverbs 16:20). It helps me feel safe and loved to know that You are always there. Thank You for being someone I can count on. Help me always to know that I can trust in You. Amen.
Dear Jesus, I know that You are powerful. I know that You made me, and You have known me from the very beginning. I know that You made me to have all kinds of feelings—feelings like sadness and happiness and excitement and anger. Thank You for caring about how I feel, Jesus. Amen.
Jesus, Sometimes when my mind and body are tired, they can make me cry. I know that my mind and body need rest. Thank You for giving us feelings to remind us of what we need. Help me to get the rest I need, Jesus. Amen.
When I’m sad or grumpy, I’m not always very nice. Instead of spreading joy, I make others feel bad. Jesus, help me to love others like You do. Help me to be nice to everyone around me, even when I don’t feel like being nice. Amen.
Dear Jesus, Being sad can sometimes feel like too much. Sometimes it can seem like no one understands. Sometimes it can seem like no one can fix it. But You can, Jesus. Help me remember to talk to You when I’m sad. Amen.
Dear Jesus, Sometimes I’m afraid of something that ends up being silly, like trying a new food. Sometimes I let my fear grow too big. And other times my fears are important. They keep me safe. Help me to know the difference. Jesus, please calm my fears. Amen.
Jesus, Thank You for the people I can go to when I’m afraid. Thank You for the people who listen to my fears. Thank You for the people who hold me close and tell me that I’m safe. Thank You, Jesus, for the people who help calm my fears. Amen.
Jesus, In the Bible, You say not to worry (Matthew 6:31). But I do. I worry about big things. I worry about little things. I worry about things I can’t control. So help me, Jesus. Help me not to worry. Amen.
Jesus, Sometimes when I’m angry, I do mean things that I shouldn’t. I use my hands and feet and body to show my anger and hurt other people. Please forgive me. Help me, Jesus, to use my words to tell why I am angry. Amen.
Oh, Jesus, You’ve given us the best gift! You give us Your peace. Your peace calms the storms. It cleans up the messes. It makes our hearts feel better when they are sad. Thank You, Jesus, for giving me Your peace. Amen.
Dear Jesus, The Bible tells us that when we have Your words in our heart, they help us choose right over wrong (Psalm 119:11). Jesus, help me to listen to and know the words You’ve given us. Jesus, help me to keep Your words in my heart so that I do the right thing. Amen.
Even when we think we do understand something, the Bible tells us not to depend on ourselves (Proverbs 3:5–6). It’s not that we shouldn’t learn and understand things, but that we should trust God more. Jesus, help me trust God more than the things I learn and understand. Amen.
I know that You are perfect. And I’m not. I can be mean and selfish and grumpy and stubborn. But the Bible tells us that You didn’t come to the world to tell us how bad we are. You came so that we could be saved (John 3:17). Thank You, Jesus, for saving me. Amen.
Jesus, Your Word tells us that the Bible was breathed out by God (2 Timothy 3:16). I imagine someone’s foggy breath on a cold day—maybe that’s like God’s holy breath creating the Bible. When I don’t know what to do, when I feel like God is far away, help me to remember to pick up my Bible. Jesus, help me to remember that the Bible is the breath of God. Amen.
Oh, Jesus, Help me to remember that the words You have given me aren’t just words. You said that they are spirit and life (John 6:63). They help me grow closer to You, and, when I obey them, they help me have the best life. Jesus, help me always to learn from the Bible so that I will have Your spirit and life. Amen.
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