Kind words from our patrons.

Prayers of the People is an incredible addition to our bookshelf—both at home and in our church children's ministry! In addition to introducing a beautiful corporate practice to kids, it’s a helpful framework for holding together the joy and suffering we experience and see in God's world, in ways that are age and stage appropriate. Prayers of the People helps us all bring our thoughts, feelings, and experiences to God. It gives kids words for what they carry and gives parents permission to lead without needing to have answers. The repeated call-and-response refrain and questions on each page are great ways to engage the whole family in prayer. 

Overall, [for Prayers of the People], the word that comes to mind is honor. I think it honors the “source material.” I think it honors parents by giving them something so sturdy to use as a tool to introduce their children to a rooted life. And I think it honors kids! I don’t know if this was intentional or not, but many of the questions written into some of the prayers were phrased as if they were being asked by children and not adults. I thought that was beautiful. I think it reflects a child’s view of the world in a way that dignifies children’s experiences.

This is a timely resource for families with children …. They are the questions to live in for a lifetime….they are the clear invitation. to practice noticing movement towards God and movements away from God that are not sin management oriented…the questions welcome all that is and allow God space to be present in all. That is a grace.

What a beautiful way to introduce your children to the spiritual practice of examen, and to anticipate the coming King during the season of Advent.

I bought this book to help teach my two year old son about the meaning of Christmas. The first time he heard the song Glory he started dancing around with so much joy. It has become a routine to sing the song and read about the coming of Jesus together. I look forward to reading this book each year as he continues to grow!

Thank you, Parker, for producing such beautiful books -- inviting in design, and offering the riches of our theological and liturgical and formational traditions in ways that children (and their adult companions!) can access and in which we may be shaped. I’m grateful!

Good Night, God has been a huge gift to our church community and to me personally. We use the book and songs every night with our 9 month old daughter, and have since she was a newborn. Her smiliest part of the day is the dance party we have during “How Did We Feel?”. Aside from the joy of this family rhythm, I’ve found that I actually get to pray the examen myself each evening as we go through Good Night, God.

We still have parents pick up a copy of Good Night, God from the Bridgetown bookstore every Sunday. I hear from parents all the time how beautiful this resource is—from parents like me reading it with their newborns, to parents of 8 year olds who use it every night at bedtime. I was even at a baby shower this summer and someone gave it to the expecting mom as a gift because it was so formative for their family.

Good Night, God isn’t a kids book—it’s a family book. It helps parents lead their kids in prayer, but also creates space for parents to grow to be more interruptible; both to their children, and to the Spirit.

My boys love this book so much. We attended the “King is Coming” advent service at a local church a few years ago and I picked it up there. My youngest son has especially leaned on it in hard times. We lost their grandfather and had a close friend get very sick that year, and my youngest struggled with severe anxiety about death and sickness. This nightly prayer regimen was one of the few things that would bring him comfort and help him get to sleep. He is nine now, and it’s still his favorite!

This book is not only beautifully illustrated and printed, is such a wonderful way to close our day with our little one as we read it over and over every night. We have also been listening to the music that goes with it and is amazing how we quickly memorized the prayers! A lovely night book for families that are looking to introduce prayer for their little ones. I even had an adult look over it quickly and said : “wow, I know this is made for kids but I need this too!”

My family and I love this book. What a wonderful way to practice and share our spirituality as a family. I keep buying more to give to families in my church! Thanks Parker!

This book is a simple and engaging way for your family to engage in the daily examen. It really is engaging for any age level.