I recently finished reading Raising Prayerful Kids by Stephanie Thurling and Sarah Holstrom, and it has honestly been a refreshing experience. As a parent who cherishes nurturing faith within my family, I was drawn to this title because it promises a natural and engaging way to incorporate prayer into daily life. The idea of turning routine moments into opportunities for prayer really intrigued me, and I was eager to see how it might transform our family’s approach to faith.
The authors offer relatable stories of their own successes and failures, making it easy to connect with their journey. I appreciated how they framed the challenges of instilling prayer into our children’s lives in a fun and nonintimidating way. In my experience, the pressure to make prayer a formal event sometimes makes it feel burdensome, but Thurling and Holstrom provide a refreshing perspective that helps alleviate that burden.
One of the biggest positives for me was the inclusion of various prayer games and activities designed to engender a love for prayer in kids. We have already implemented a few of these activities during our dinner routine, and I’ve noticed my children are more engaged and enthusiastic about the concept of prayer. The book emphasizes that prayer can be a connecting, fun, and even life-changing experience, and I completely agree with this sentiment based on my own newfound practices.
However, while I found many of the suggested practices appealing, I also encountered some minor drawbacks. For instance, a few of the activities felt a bit simplistic, especially for my older child. I believe that while the authors aimed to cater to a broad age range, some suggestions might not engage older kids as effectively. Additionally, I felt that certain chapters could have benefitted from more concrete examples or case studies. While the relatable anecdotes were lovely, a deeper exploration into how other parents navigated similar hurdles with different age groups would have enhanced my understanding even more.
Nonetheless, the book succeeds in its mission to make prayer fit naturally into daily routines without feeling like a chore or a lecture. I specifically found the activities designed to transform everyday moments into faith-filled ones quite valuable. These details align perfectly with the official description stating that the book serves as a tool for parents, and I genuinely felt its effectiveness in our household.
If you’re considering adding spirituality to your family’s daily life, Raising Prayerful Kids could be an incredible resource. With its playful approach and practical advice, it gives parents tools to foster a deeper understanding and appreciation for prayer among their children.
In conclusion, I highly recommend this book for any parent seeking to bring their family closer to spirituality without the weight of obligation. It’s lighthearted, practical, and truly a joy to read and implement. The little moments we share as a family during prayer have been truly enriching, and I can’t wait to keep exploring the various tools this book offers.