The Power of Prayer

The Power of Prayer

by Kevin and Mary O’Neill

Published by Sophia Institute Press

Our family has learned about the Sacraments and Holy Mass from Cynthia and Fulton – the star  characters in the O’Neills Building Blocks of Faith Series. This new book, The Power of Prayer, is the newest addition to the 3-book series, and it did not disappoint! The unique brick block scenes are amazing, and it encouraged our family to add some new prayers to our routines.

Cool Details and Accurate Theology

This book follows the same format of the other 2 Building Blocks of Faith Series. The pages are laid out comic-book style with word bubbles and rectangles above the block characters. My kids loved pointing out the awesome details of women wearing tiny veils at Mass, a little brick bottle for a baby, and a video game controller for St. Carlo Acutis. The details of the brick scenes are absolutely amazing and enchanting.

The Theology of these books is always on point and accurate (it has a Nihil Obstat and Imprimatur). They are written in a way that makes them accessible to kids without watering down the content.

Prayers Included in This Book

The purpose of this book is to provide children with a “mini-catechism” on prayer and devotion. It emphasizes both the importance of daily prayer and communication with God and teaches children how to form the virtue of piety through prayer.

What is prayer?

Chapter 1 explains what prayer is, a helpful acronym for the 4 main types of prayer (adoration, contrition, thanksgiving, and supplication) and what they are, contemplation, meditating on scripture, and God’s grace. Something new and very fun in this book is the addition of “Chalk Talks,” with a brick Ven. Fulton Sheen and his chalkboard. These Chalk Talks include “Pop Quizzes,” “Did You Know,” and “Riddle Time.” These are sprinkled throughout the chapters to engage the students on what they have read and also to test their comprehension of what they have read. As with the other books, there are adorable brick saints throughout the book interjecting with quotes about prayer.

Traditional Daily Prayers

Chapter 2 includes over 20 traditional daily prayers, pages of amazing pictures of each mystery of the Rosary, and “7 daily habits that can help us gain holiness.”

Liturgical Prayers

Chapter 3 includes Liturgical Prayers. There are 3 sections:

1. Mass
2. Adoration and Benediction
3. Liturgy of the Hours

The authors have truly included everything in this book related to prayer! Many prayers are included in both English and Latin.

Seasonal Prayers and Devotions

Chapter 4 includes 11 seasonal prayers and devotions, such as the St. Andrew Christmas Novena, the Stations of the Cross, and St. Gregory’s Easter Prayer. I also loved learning more about the daily and monthly devotions of the Church and special daily aspirations for each one.

More Rosaries, Litanies, and Devotions

Chapter 5 includes even more rosaries, litanies, prayers, and devotions. The guide for praying the Seven Sorrows Chaplet is excellent.

There is also a Glossary at the end with definitions of all important terms.

Who Would Enjoy This Book

This book would make a wonderful book for First Communion, First Reconciliation, or Confirmation. I think it’s best for ages 5 and up. It would be a great birthday gift, Christmas, or Easter gift for any Catholic kid. This book would also be helpful for Religious Education teachers, Catholic educators, or Catholic parents to also have on hand to teach the Faith in an engaging and accurate way.

You can find The Power of Prayer from Sophia Institute Press or Holy Heroes.