Vintage Children's Books on Prayer

McCord and I stopped by our church library a couple of weeks ago and checked out a few books on children's prayers.  I am so sad because I have to return them today, and I have absolutely loved reading the sweet, innocent prayers these books offer - and the vintage illustrations are precious.  I just had to share!

My Prayer Book, by Margaret Clemens (1947) Rand McNally & Company



Day is done, Gone the sun; God be with us, Every one.

Better picture of this book here. 

This next book is such a treasure!  In fact, I am so sad to part with it - I just ordered it on amazon and gladly paid more in shipping than the actual book costs!  Tell me about Prayer (1948), Rand McNally & Company, is written by Mary Alice Jones and illustrated by Dorothy Grider.   More info here.


It is so unique because rather than just printing children's prayers on each page, there is an actual storyline of a little boy named Bobby (adorable!) and his sister Mary who ask their mother and father many serious questions about prayer.  After each narrative, several prayers are listed - some are old prayers - some are inspired by scripture - and others are "written" by Bobby and Mary.  Just check out the table of contents and look at the topics and dare I say, grown up! questions Bobby and Mary discuss.

 Let me just share one example of an endearing lesson Bobby learns.  Bobby and his father have been to the circus, and Bobby shares with his dad that while he enjoyed the clowns, animals, and acrobats, he did not so much enjoy the crowds.  This gets Bobby thinking... so that night he asks his dad...

"Daddy, I've been wondering about so many people.  Like at the circus.  How does God hear all of them?  When they say their prayers, I mean."

"He is God, Bobby.  He is great beyond our knowing.  But he loves us, too.  That is why he hears all of us."  

"How does God have enough love for everybody?"

"There is something strange about love, son.  When you divide an apple, the halves are less than the whole apple.  But when you divide love, it seems to grow bigger." 

Bobby looked as if he did not understand; so his daddy went on.  

"Once, you know, Mother and I had only one child -- Bobby.  We gave him all the love we had.  Then we had another child -- Mary.  But we didn't have to take away love from Bobby to have some for Mary.  We found that we had more love.   We had plenty of love for Bobby and Mary."

Bobby understood about that.  He knew his mother and daddy did not take away love from him to give to Mary.  Then he laughed.  "Mr. and Mrs. Thompson must have lots and lots of love, because they have seven children."

Hid daddy laughed, too.

"I'm sure they have plenty of love for all of them."

Bobby and his daddy were quiet a moment, thinking.

"And God isn't too busy to listen when we all pray?"  Bobby asked. 

"It is one of the most wonderful thoughts in the world, son, that he isn't too busy.  That the great God who made the mountains and the waterfalls and the sun and the star loves each one of us and hears us when we pray."

"You know, Daddy, I like to think about that.  Of everybody being a big family and God having enough love and listening.  Like Mr. and Mrs. Thompson and seven children, only lots more."  He nodded his head.  "Yes, I like that.  Now I'll say my prayers with all the people round the world."

And here are a few of the prayers the book offers.

FOR OUR HOME

O God, our Father,

For our house, our food, our health,

For all who serve our home,

We thank you.

For making us dear to one another;

For the good times we have together;

For Mother, Father, Brother, Sister,

We thank you.

That you will help us every day

To show love and kindness to one another,

That each one may think of the other

And be ready to share and help,

We pray, dear God, our Father.

McCord's first time going to church, 2 1/2 months old

THE CHILDREN OF THE WORLD

As I say my evening prayer

I would remember, dear God,

All the children of the world,

And ask your blessing on them all.

Some are hungry,

And some are cold,

And some are lonely and afraid.

Please help them, God.

Show them your love,

And help us all to know

How we may help each other.

FOR A GENTLE HEART

Give me, dear God,

a gentle heart

Toward all things that live;

The little creatures

of the air,

The little creatures

of the earth,

And all the flowers

and the trees.

Let me not hurt them,

Nor carelessly destroy

The life that you have made.

FOR EVERYTHING AROUND US

We thank you, dear God,

For everything around us

Which helps our minds to know you:

For the greatness of nature,

And the lives of all good people;

For the thoughts of you

Which come to us

Through poets and painters

And those who make sweet music;

For help that comes from you

Through doctors

And others who know how

To keep our bodies

In health and strength;

For knowledge that comes from you

Through schools and teachers and books.

We thank you, dear God,

For everything around us

Which helps our minds to know you.

McCord's Baptism, September 2010

FOR THOSE WHO ARE SAD

O God, who never sleeps

And never is tired,

Be close this night

To those who are sad.

Let them feel your love,

And know that in this world

Other people are thinking of them.

Gracious God,

Thank you for the gift of all children and for blessing us with our son McCord.

Help us to raise him according to your will, and give us strength and wisdom to guide him in your ways.  May we show him how to have a generous heart; instill in him a desire to do right; guide him to live his life with character and integrity; show him how to care for others - especially children, animals, the elderly and those who are less fortunate.  How special he is to us.  We thank you God for McCord. 

Amen.