My Book of Prayers

was created especially for

Michael Jeremy Smith
at the age of 8

With love from
Mom and Dad
April 21, 2001

Mike Smith, how wonderful it is to be able to talk to God! When you or Larry, Wayne and Bob talk to God, it is called praying.

You can pray anywhere you go in Atlanta. In fact, Mike, you can pray anywhere you go in this whole wide world that God has made.

Sometimes, Mike, you may wonder about the words to say to God. You want to thank Him for all He does for you throughout your day. This special book was written to help you talk to God.

You can pray anytime, Mike, no matter what you are doing. God is always ready to listen to you. You can even make up your own prayers. Say anything and everything you want to God.

In the morning, Mike, awaken with a smile on your face. Thank God for a brand new day!

Dear God, who kept me through the night
and woke me with the morning light,
Let me thank you for this day
now before I run to play.
Help me, Lord, to love you more
than I have ever loved before.

On some mornings, Mike, do you wake up like a hungry bear who has been sleeping all winter long? Here is a prayer you can use with any of your meals.

God is great and God is good.
Let us thank Him for this food.
By His hands we all are fed.
Thank you for our daily bread.
Amen.

It's great to be alive, Mike! There are so many fun things to do with Larry, Wayne and Bob. Maybe today you'll read or write or play. Remember to thank God for your:

Two little eyes to look to God;
Two little ears to hear His Word;
Two little feet to walk in His ways;
Two little lips to sing His praise;
Two little hands to do His will;
And one little heart to love Him still.

Mike, it must make you very happy to know you are surrounded by people who love you so much.

Dear God, thank you for my family and friends. Please help me to say only kind words to Larry, Wayne and Bob.

Dear God, please let me play in a loving, sharing way with Larry, Wayne and Bob today. Amen.

Animals can be your friends also, Mike. Have you ever watched a puppy chase its tail or two kittens playfully biting each other? God must have made animals to be loved and hugged!

Lord, please bless the puppies and
kittens and bunnies and chicks and
ponies and hamsters. Oh, and don't
forget the turtles and frogs and
fish. Thank you for all my animal
friends. Amen.

This book of prayers was written for you, Mike, to make it easier for you to talk to God. Share it with Larry, Wayne and Bob. You may wonder if God hears all your prayers.

Mike, God answers your prayers. Sometimes, the answer is YES. Sometimes, it is NO. However, there are times when the answer is WAIT! Listen for His answers in your heart, Mike Smith.

Mike, when you are outside playing, do you look around to see what God has given you to enjoy outdoors? Have you ever climbed a tall tree or smelled a beautiful flower or looked for funny shapes in the clouds?

Mike, when you are outside playing, do you look around to see what God has given you to enjoy outdoors? Have you ever climbed a tall tree or smelled a beautiful flower or looked for funny shapes in the clouds?

Being happy makes you feel good all over, doesn't it, Mike? Remember fun times: laughing and playing with Larry, Wayne and Bob, eating warm cookies fresh from the oven, or watching a parade in Atlanta.

Dear God, every time I tell you
about all the happy things I do that
make me smile, I'm really thanking
you for my day. Amen.

Mike, you are such a happy boy. But it's okay to have some sad and mad times too. Maybe one of your favorite toys was broken or lost. Maybe someone said something to you and hurt your feelings. Or maybe you're just having a good time and must stop to take a bath or go to bed.

You know, Lord, sometimes when I'm
sad I do things I shouldn't. Please
forgive me when I do something I
know is not right. Amen.

Mike, it isn't fun to be sick! Have you ever been sick and had to stay in bed all day long? What did you do to keep from being bored? Did you know that just about everybody gets sick at some time in their lives?

Dear Lord, I feel yucky today. I'm sick. Please help me to get better soon. I know you hear my prayer because just talking to you makes me feel better. Amen.

Are you afraid of the dark, Mike? Have you ever had bad dreams or scary thoughts about monsters? You might even be frightened of bugs or thunderstorms. Probably just about everyone is scared of something. However, praying will help you feel better.

Dear God, I'm really, really scared.
Thank you for always being with me.
Please keep me safe and help me not
to feel so afraid. Amen.

Mike, this is a special bedtime prayer that many little boys and girls say each night:

Now I lay me down to sleep.
I pray the Lord my soul to keep.
God, go with me through the night,
And wake me with Your morning light.

At bedtime, Mike, your prayer to God can be a big Thank You for watching over you during the day and this night while you sleep.

Dear God, bless the people who take care of me and love me. Thank you for watching over all of us today and through the night. Thank you, God, for everything you do for me. I love you, God! Amen.