A Little Golden Book

Prayers for Children

Pictures by Eloise Wilkin

Western Publishing Company 1974, 1952

Little Golden Book Classic published by Random House, Inc.

It’s been a tough week for me and my family. One that certainly had us in our own time of prayer. It seemed fitting to share one of my favorite vintage children’s books this Thursday.

It turns out I liked this Little Golden Book so much I bought it twice at two different thrift stores. The first one was published in originally in 1952 and reprinted again in 1974. The second one is a Little Golden Book Classic, First Random House Edition 2002. The artwork is done by Eloise Wilkin. The covers are different, but her artwork and the prayers in the book are the same and in the same order. I think the only exception is the colors are more saturated in the newer printing. I’d love to be able to find the 1952 version to go along with these.

“God, make my life a little staff

Whereon the weak may rest,

And so what health and strength I have

May serve my neighbors best.

God, Make my life a little hymn

of tenderness and praise;

Of faith, that never waxeth dim,

In all His wondrous ways.”

~ A portion from A Child’s Prayer by M. Betham-Edwards

 

These books offer sweet prayers to pray with your child through the day. From Morning Prayer, the Lord’s Prayer, Evening Prayer to Good Night prayer, the book is full of sweet ways to talk to God. The last prayer, Evening Prayer surprised me when I saw it. It’s printed as a hymn, the words adapted by Miriam Drury. I said this one many nights through my childhood with my mom. I never knew it was meant to be sung.

” Now I lay me down to sleep, I pray Thee, Lord, Thy child to keep: Thy love guard me through the night, And wake me with the morning light.”

These sweet prayers are a reminder it’s good to spend time on my knees in prayer with my own children each and everyday, no matter what may come.

I’m so thankful my Grandma passed on this photo of my own mom and her sis saying their prayers at bedtime.

 Do you have a special prayer you say with your children?