Circle of Grace: Praying with--and for--Your Children

by Gregory Wolfe, Suzanne M. Wolfe

"It is a well-known paradox of the spiritual life that when we gather together and focus our love and attention outward--on God's goodness and grace--we actually grow closer to one another. That is the secret of praying together as a family. . . ."
--Gregory and Suzanne Wolfe

Prayer, it has been said, is the natural language of the heart. Indeed, surveys reveal that Americans overwhelmingly believe in the power and efficacy of prayer. Yet many parents feel uncertain about introducing their children to prayer because they themselves have forgotten--or never learned--how to pray. Consequently, their children too are kept in the dark, uncertain how to start, what to say. Now Circle of Grace gives parents the inspiration, confidence, and practical help they need to begin integrating prayer into the fabric of family life. This compelling book contains more than four hundred prayers from many faiths--as fresh and moving today as when they were first uttered.

Writing from their own experiences with family prayer, the authors answer such questions What is the best and most natural way to introduce your children to prayer? What if parents are of different faiths? Are there special times and places for praying? What if your child resists this intimate new family activity? Inside you'll discover prayers of praise and petition; for bedtime, mealtime, and birthdays; for holy days and the seasons; for sickness, death, and times of special need; for family, friends, even pets.

Praying with your children not only passes on a precious gift but also can become a source of spiritual renewal for parents--a chance to rejoin the pilgrim's path. With wisdom and common sense, Circle of Grace sets us on our way.

370 pages, Hardcover

First published January 1, 2000

About the author

Gregory Wolfe is a writer, teacher, editor, and publisher. In 1989 he founded Image—one of America’s leading literary journals, which he edited for thirty years. He was also the founding director of the Seattle Pacific University MFA in Creative Writing program, which he led for over a dozen years. He is currently editor of an indie, non-profit literary press, Slant Books. Wolfe’s writing has appeared in numerous publications, including the Washington Post, Wall Street Journal, First Things, Commonweal, and America. He has served as a judge for the National Book Awards. His books include Beauty Will Save the World, Intruding Upon the Timeless, and The Operation of Grace. He is married to the novelist Suzanne M. Wolfe. They are the parents of four grown children and live in Richmond Beach, Washington.

Reviews

[Bethany · Rating 3 out of 5]

The commentary at the beginning of this text was encouraging, but nothing revolutionary if your family prays together in any way. Coming from a church that emphasizes extemporaneous prayers I'm looking forward to incorporating some of the traditional, written prayers from the latter section of this book into our family prayer times (and my personal ones-- I could really use some help with something more helpful to pray in the morning beyond, "So... tired... Please make the kids go back to sleep!"
You should know going in to this book that the authors draw from both Protestant and Catholic traditions as well as some Jewish, Native American, Hindu, Buddhist, etc. prayers. I'm comfortable editing that to build a group of prayers that fits my theology; if you aren't this isn't your book.