Jesus and Me offers guidance to young Catholics on how to meaningfully spend time with Jesus through the four main types of prayer—adoration, gratitude, contrition, and petition.
The new book Jesus and Me: Talking with My Greatest Friend helps children develop a routine of personal prayer and explore the many ways that they can spend time with Jesus.
Written by Melissa Kirking, Catholic mother and teacher, this prayer book provides more than a collection of prayers to recite; it accompanies children on their journey of faith by showing them why their divine friend Jesus calls them to talk and listen to him and how they can do it.
“My heart’s work is bringing children to the Eucharistic Jesus where they can feel love in the presence of love,” says Kirking. “Jesus and Me helps children nurture a prayer life that is meaningful at the age they are.”
Jesus and Me, designed to appeal to children ages seven to ten, features colorful pages, gold spiral binding, sacred art, and child-friendly explanations that make prayer simple and reassuring. Using a variety of styles and prompts, eighty ideas for praising God, giving thanks, being sorry, and offering requests appeal to all young minds and create opportunities for prayer.
Melissa Kirking is devoted to helping children pray in Eucharistic Adoration through her website Guided Children’s Adoration. Jesus and Me is an extension of her mission, with instructions for children about how to share their heart with Jesus when sitting in his presence in Adoration as well as when they are at home.
Jesus and Me is now available for preorder at AscensionPress.com/JesusAndMe.
Praise for Jesus and Me
Jennifer Sharpe, author of the award-winning My First Interactive Mass Book, writes:
“A much needed book for today’s Catholic families, Jesus and Me is overflowing with creative ideas to help guide children into loving communication with our Savior. I highly recommend grabbing a copy and praying alongside your child. A beautiful relationship with Jesus is sure to emerge!”
Joann Bradvica, author of children’s book Donuts After Mass, writes with praise:
“Jesus and Me is a wonderful prayer guide for children that introduces them to the four different types of prayer. It is easy to read and follow with glossaries that explain Church terminology. Colorful and inviting, Jesus and Me is a phenomenal resource that will promote holy habits to last a lifetime!”
Kendra Bartlett, cohost of the His Beloved Catholic Podcast, also writes:
“To encounter the One who loves us most is life changing, and to have that encounter at a young age is kingdom changing. What a beautiful resource for our young people to have to guide them through that encounter with Jesus in Adoration. I personally have had the privilege of witnessing Melissa guide my own children through a holy hour for children, and her heart while living out the calling over her life is so authentic, tender, and truly just seeking to bring people closer to the heart of the Father. Her very heart is all over this book, authentically and tenderly guiding the reader into a deep encounter with Jesus Christ, fully present in the Eucharist, in a very tangible and accessible way.”
Katherine Bogner, a teacher, blogger, and the author of Through the Year With Jesus and Through the Year With Mary, emphasizes the usefulness of this new resource:
“Parents and teachers often teach children about prayer but can struggle to help them actually pray. The book Jesus and Me is a wonderful resource to encourage rich mental prayer using approachable language and kid-friendly examples of praise, contrition, thanksgiving, and petition, as well as memorized and communal prayers. Page after page of prompts, guides, and ideas are found within this book, each a tool to help children deepen their prayer life in ways that honor their age and abilities.”
Rachel Martinez, a catechist and sacramental preparation coordinator, offers her own endorsement:
“‘I don’t know what to do’ is the common worry of many children when given the opportunity for Adoration. Jesus and Me provides young people with a practical means to overcome that hurdle and gives them confidence to speak candidly with God. The book is full of wisdom and inspiring quotations that encourage children to make building a relationship with Jesus a joy-filled priority.”
About Melissa Kirking
Melissa Kirking, a passionate children’s Eucharistic Adoration expert, has more than two decades of experience bringing children to meet and know Jesus in the Blessed Sacrament. It is her heart’s work to bring as many children as possible to spend time with our Eucharistic Lord in Adoration. Melissa is a former public and Catholic school teacher and is now the coordinator of Children’s Eucharistic Adoration at her parish.
See the full bio for Melissa Kirking here.
About Ascension
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