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Thank You God - A Book of Children's Prayers

Thank You God
A Book of Children's Prayers
Compiled by Lisa Potts *
Hodder & Stoughton. 113 pages. £9.99

On July 8 1996, the children of St. Luke's nursery school, their nursery teachers and their parents were enjoying a teddy bears' picnic when they were attacked by a man with a machete. Lisa Potts, the compiler of this book of prayers, did her best to shield the children but was herself seriously injured in the attack. These prayers were written by some of those children, other pupils of St. Luke's and Lisa Potts herself.
I found the prayers both moving and challenging in the light of that terrible incident. Recalling that event, I expected this book to reflect the darker side of life but was surprised to find it a joyful collection of praise and thanks to God from children who had come through a dreadful experience. When the children do touch on the darker side, their words are simple and have reality: 'Sometimes situations are difficult. Help me Lord to get through tough times.' (Amy Brettel, aged 10).
The prayers are arranged under 20 headings which include heaven, friends and family, graces, our world, Christmas, Easter, harvest, people at work, happy and sad times. They were written by pupils aged between 4 and 12 years.
These prayers are refreshingly direct, and range from the straightforward: 'You made every egg in the whole wide world. You are a really nice man.' (Nakita Banger, aged 4), to the theological: 'I thank you that we can have visions of heaven because of the stories you told and put in a book we know as the Bible.' (Rebecca Holden, aged 9).
The prayers could be used in school and church worship. They would encourage children to write their own prayers. The breadth of the subjects show that prayer covers all aspects of life.

Thank You God - A Book of Children's Prayers

Margaret Cooling

* See also review on page 20.

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