A TREASURY OF PRAYERS

A petite trim size and an inviting cover design in soft aqua invite readers in to peruse this wide-ranging compendium of Christian prayers, meditations and Bible verses.

The collection is divided into thematic sections that organize over 200 selections for easy access. Many are actual prayers, including original compositions by the author as well as familiar short devotions suitable for younger children and well-known pieces by St. Francis. Many short Bible verses appear, including the expected choices, such as Psalm 23 and the Lord’s Prayer. This British import presents quite a few prayers and some poems from the British Isles, but the collection attempts inclusiveness with a prayer from Japan, a meal blessing from Africa (the specific region or culture is not identified) and two Native American prayers, among others. Some of the prayers, especially the original ones, are really for children, while others, such as two selections by Gerald Manley Hopkins, are for more sophisticated readers. There is an index of first lines but none of authors, which can make finding a particular prayer again a challenge. 

This thoughtful collection will be useful for Christian families or for teachers in church school classes, best for dipping into over time.