My 10 year old (who has special needs) has come to me 3 times in the last few weeks asking how to pray. He's stressed about school, worried that lightning is going to hit him, and absolutely terrified of the swine flu. Yes, I know that quite a bit of this is irrational, but that is simply the way his brain works.
As of now he can say the Our Father with me and will say "Lord have mercy", but that is all he knows.
He wants to learn some simple prayers. I'm searching for a child's prayerbook or even a website that lists Orthodox prayers for various needs that are easy enough for someone in 1st or 2nd grade to understand. Small words and modern English would be best. Something with pictures and short simple prayers would be even better.
Does anyone know of a prayerbook or website like that?
Friday, August 21, 2009
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Here are 2 we say at night:
Lord Jesus Christ, who received the children who came to you, receive also this prayer from me. Shelter me under the shadow of your wings, that I may fall peacefully asleep. And awaken me in due time that I may glorify you, for you alone are righteous and merciful. Amen.
(you could cut it off after "wings" to make it a daytime prayer.)
Angel Guardian, please keep us from every evil, sickness, and grief. Help us, Oh Lord, to be good, obedient, and kind. Thankyou for all the good things you've given us this past day. Help us spend this night in peace and protect us from all harm. Amen.
"Bless, O Lord" has pictures and is a children's prayer book but the pages are pretty busy for something you're looking for. If you're reading it to him it would work out. You'd just pick out the portions to read to him. If he's reading it, I don't think it's the book you're looking for. Here's the link: http://www.light-n-life.com/shopping/order_product.asp?ProductNum=BLES050
I'd recommend getting a prayer rope, if you don't already have one. When my daughter was 7 or 8, she was having some minor anxiety attacks about school. I gave her the prayer rope when I tucked her into bed at night so she could fall asleep peacefully. I taught her to say "Lord Jesus Christ, have mercy" for each knot. It worked really well for her because it combined verbal and kinesthetic prayer. I told her it was how monks and nuns prayed (and others). I think this could work for your son. I don't know where he falls on the spectrum (I taught severely autistic kids in public school for a short time) and the repetitiveness of it might really appeal to him and be soothing at the same time. Although I also don't know how he reacts to things texturally. Maybe you could include the prayer rope as part of a texture therapy also. A thought. He could even keep it in his pocket, if needed. - Jennifer
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