The Divine Hours for Children

Picture Book: This is What I Pray Today:                                                     The Divine Hours Prayers for Children

Author: Phyllis Tickle

Illustrator: Elsa Warnick

Summary: When Phyllis Tickle published a new version of the Benedictine Rule of fixed-hour prayer called The Divine Hours, many Christians were not familiar with the practice. Today her versions of these old prayers structure the days of many protestants. 

In this book, she offers psalm-inspired prayers for young children to mark 3 specific times of each day of the week: Waking Up, 

Resting, 

and Ending My Day. 

The conceptual level is simple enough so that reading from this book can become a thrice daily ritual of children as young as two or three. 

For most children, this book could be read independently within a couple of years of learning to read.

Hanna’s Comments: In offering this book to children, the late, great Phyllis Tickle provides a structure of prayer that could be transformative to a child and the entire family.

This book would make an excellent gift for a family with a new baby, a family with children upon joining your congregation, or for parents who want to better ground their family life in scripture and prayer.

Additionally, a red ribbon bookmark is provided to mark the day throughout the week as your children read their first prayer book. 

Tickle gives some context and expanse to the text in her remarks in the back by suggesting these prayers are offered for Christian, Jewish, and Muslim parents and grandparents so that their "very young can be introduced early to the patterns and very grown-up practice of fixed-hour prayer."  

Original Publisher & Date: Dutton, 2007

Age & Grade Appropriateness: 3 and up, Pre and up

Formats other than Book: None at present

Scripture Connections: This book’s prayers are based on many Psalms, all of which are listed on each page.

Idea(s) for Application: Read a few of these prayers to participants of a faith-based preschool or elementary parenting class to encourage families to begin a ritual of praying together multiple times a day.