My name is Chloe Joseph and I’m a self-published author of a children’s book called ‘My First 10 Prayers’. I often get asked what made me write a children's prayer book and I always say it was God. I say this because I never grew up wanting to be an author; it just happened that from living on my own at a young age; I got into a habit of journaling about my day. This evolved into writing encouraging notes on my phone and sending them to my contact list via WhatsApp. I did this for a couple of years and later launched a social media page and blog called ‘Empowerment Prayers’ to uplift and restore hope to people, encouraging them to communicate with God through prayer.
After speaking to a few people about wanting to write a devotional book, someone said to me “What about a children's book?” I spoke to God and thought about it. This led me to write ‘My First 10 Prayers’. My career involved working with children and so I was able to write a book which engages young readers.
The aim of ‘My First 10 Prayers’ is to help children develop their own prayer life. Supporting a child to grasp prayer from a young age, can encourage them to continue living a prayerful life as an adult. This does not mean, they may never go down different paths but one thing I believe is that the seeds that are sown when they are children can become the roots that form when they are adults. The Bible says in Proverbs 22:6 NKJV “Train up a child in the way he should go, And when he is old he will not depart from it.”
Tips for helping children learn how to pray
As parents, grandparents, godparents and relatives the most important thing you can do is model prayer in your own life. Children learn best when they see their family and relatives living out their faith. Here are a few simple tips to help guide children into prayer:
• Start Simple: Begin with short, easy prayers that they can understand and repeat. Praying over their food; praying for their friends or when your child is feeling excited or anxious; you can turn everyday moments into opportunities for connection with God. That way they are including Him in the different areas of their life.
• Create a Routine: Children thrive on routines, and prayer can become an important part of their daily habits. Set aside specific times of day, after waking up and before going to bed for prayer. This consistency will help them understand that prayer is a regular part of their day-to-day life.
• Encourage their Prayers: Let your child know that they can talk to God about anything. Encourage them to share their thoughts, thanks and worries.
• Pray Together: Make prayer a priority, whether it's praying together in the evenings or praying together before going to church, showing them that prayer is something you do together can create a sense of unity and love in the home.
• Make Prayer Fun: If your child is creative encourage them to draw something and pray about the thing they have drawn. For example, if they draw a picture of a family member, then you could ask them to write a prayer to do with that family member. If they draw a person on their own with no friends, you could encourage them to pray to God for children who have no friends and ask God to send them the right friends that have good behaviour etc.
‘My First 10 Prayers’ has vibrant illustrations, simple prayers, and a space for children to write their prayers. It is a book that can introduce children to prayer in a way that feels accessible and exciting for them. I hope even adults are encouraged to pray and develop a deeper relationship with God. Be encouraged today God wants to hear from you, so if you haven't spoken to God today have some time with Him.
Were can you purchase My First 10 Prayers:
Amazon link below:
Or you can DM @empowermentprayers and a payment link can be sent out to you.
Social Media Handles:
@empowermentprayers
@chloechlo88
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