Michaelene Mundy - A Book of Prayers for All Your Cares

A Book of Prayers for All Your Cares

Written by Michaelene Mundy
Illustrated by R. W. Alley

To my mother,
Dorothy Feagans ONeal,
who was a wonderful example and
taught me to talk to God.

All rights reserved, including without limitation the right to reproduce this ebook or any portion thereof in any form or by any means, whether electronic or mechanical, now known or hereinafter invented, without the express written permission of the publisher.

This is a work of fiction. Names, characters, places, events, and incidents either are the product of the authors imagination or are used fictitiously. Any resemblance to actual persons, living or dead, businesses, companies, events, or locales is entirely coincidental.

Copyright 2004 Michaelene Mundy

Illustrations 2004 St. Meinrad Archabbey

ISBN: 978-1-4976-8127-9

Abbey Press Publications

1 Hill Drive

St. Meinrad, Indiana 47577

www.abbeypress.com

Distributed by Open Road Distribution

345 Hudson Street

New York, NY 10014

www.openroadmedia.com

If you picked up this book for a child, you already know how prayer can get us through some tough times and comfort us. You want children to find solace as you have.

The hardest thing in writing this book was to write generic prayersinstead of specific prayers which are more my style, and perhaps more the style of children. And so I hope you will consider this a book of prayer starters. Let the children fill in the specifics. Mainly, this book is intended to show children that God is approachable and we can all talk to God in our own words.

Yes, traditional prayers are important, too, even though they are not included in this work. Let your own family and community traditions lead the way.

Speaking of leading the way, it is so important for us grown-ups to model praying. To truly believe that prayer can be helpful, children need to see and hear people in their lives turning to prayer. I remember as a child being very upset when my grandfather died. I asked God to send me a sign that Granddad was happy and okay in heaven. Being a child, I requested a bicycle as a sign! My mother later shared that, when she looked in on me that night, I had fallen asleep with a smile on my face. I dont know if I ever told my parents about this prayer, but on my birthday, one month later, I received a red bicyclenot a new one, but a reconditioned one. It didnt matter; God had given me a sign and I didnt worry about Granddad anymore.

I hope this book helps you to share God, to share yourself, with a child. In sharing your faith you will be blessed with seeing the pure, innocent faith of a child, and you will both walk away being strengthened in your faith life.

God bless you and the young ones this book will be shared with.

Michaelene Mundy

D ear God, I know you love me and want me to feel good and calmnot mad. But I am so mad right now. I dont like the way it makes me feel. I want to yell or cry or throw something.

P lease, God, help me not hit or hurt anybody while I am mad. Help me to understand I can still make good choices even when I am angry.

I feel so sad today. I want to cry. I feel bad all over and even my head and stomach hurt. Help me to understand what makes me feel sad and to remember the good things that have happened today. Help me find something to do that will make me not feel so sad.

H elp me to talk to someone about how I feel. I know I will feel better if I dont let my sadness be a secret.

D ear God, I feel so scared. I dont like the way being scared makes me feel. I feel alone. I know you are my friend and you love me, but I need someone I can see now to help me.

M om and Dad always tell me there is nothing to be afraid of. But I am not big like them. Help me to be brave, and until then please be here with me.

D ear God, my Grandma died. I miss her hugging me. I feel so sad. Mom and Dad are sad, too. Grandma was always so nice to everybody I dont understand why she had to die.

I s Grandma with you? Is she happy? Can I talk to her like I can you? Grandma, I miss you. I remember the happy times we had together. You made me happy. Ill love you forever.

M y birthday is coming soon. I love to get presents. I hope I get lots. I especially hope I get this one special thing. Can you whisper into Mom and Dads ears that they should get it? I dont mean to be greedy, but I really want it.

I f I dont get it, help me understand there must have been a good reason. Maybe I can do extra jobs around the house to earn money and pay for it myself ? But it would be so nice to be surprised. Thank you.