Whole Body Prayer Experiences for Young Hearts

Transform everyday moments into sacred encounters with this practical guide designed to help parents, caregivers, and ministry practitioners cultivate meaningful prayer experiences with children.

Drawing on spiritual formation principles and current research on child development, Praying with Kids offers a treasure trove of accessible, research-backed approaches that honor both Scripture and child development, creating pathways for young hearts to connect with God through prayer.

With dozens of creative ideas and formative practices, Kate Lawson-Hedger equips parents, children's ministry workers, and other caregivers to pray together with kids in ways that involve not just their words but also their bodies, senses, emotions, learning styles, imaginations, and so much more. She shows how, from a very young age, kids can experience prayer as a fun, creative, and life-giving adventure of relationship with God.

What you'll find in Praying with Kids:



- 40+ detailed prayer practices: Step-by-step instructions for diverse practices, ideas, and variations that engage the natural learning styles of children ages two through twelve.

- Both contemporary and time-tested wisdom: Drawn from the rich tradition of Christian prayer and current developmental research, ideas include both ancient and new ways to pray.

- Inclusive accessibility: Insights for praying with children who have disabilities, special needs, or are neurodivergent.

- Age-appropriate application: Each chapter also includes ideas and principles for inviting teenagers deeper into prayer.



This resource transforms the often-intimidating task of teaching children to pray into an adventure of discovery, connection, and joy. Whether you're seeking to establish family prayer traditions or bring prayer into your children's ministry programming, this book provides the tools you need to guide children into rich prayer experiences that will shape their spiritual foundation for years to come.

Scripture calls all of us, no matter our age, to love God with all our heart, soul, and might. As you help nurture children's connection with God, together you'll discover that every day is infused with holy opportunities to love God with our whole selves.



Kate Lawson-Hedger (MA, Virginia Theological Seminary) has ministered in various roles, including serving as a children's ministry director, piloting a prayer ministry, and developing spiritual formation resources for both children and adults. Sheserves as the campaign and stewardship manager with Bread for the World. Kate lives with her husband in Northern Virginia.







Curt Thompson (MD) is a board-certified psychiatrist and the founder of Being Known, an organization that develops resources for hope and healing at the intersection of neuroscience and Christian spiritual formation. He is also the author of The Soul of Shame and The Soul of Desire. He is actively engaged in learning and teaching as he supervises clinical employees and facilitates ongoing education groups for patients and colleagues. He also speaks frequently on the topic atworkshops, conferences, and retreats.



Introduction

Part 1



1. Defining Prayer



2. Why Pray?



3. How to Pray



4. Praying Through Childhood



5. Praying with Children with Disabilities



6. Guidance for Praying with Children



7. Getting Started

Part 2



8. Praying with Scripture



9. Praying with Our Bodies



10. Praying with Our Breath



11. Praying with Our Eyes



12. Praying with Our Feelings



13. Praying with Our Legs



14. Praying with Our Day



15. Praying with Gratitude



16. Praying with Anxiety



17. Praying for Others



18. Praying in Community



Conclusion



Appendix A: Praying with Our Strengths



Appendix B: Children's Book Recommendations



Acknowledgements