In Listening Hearts: Discovering the Power of Prayer, kids ages 5–12 explore how people around the world pray through words, music, movement, and silence. Join Laura for global sounds, fun games, and heartwarming stories about gratitude, hope, and connection.
Length
🕛 33 mins
Host
🎙️ Laura Menousek
Release Date
May 14, 2025
What’s Inside This Episode
Explore the many ways people connect through prayer—from joyful songs to quiet moments of stillness. In this sound-rich and story-filled episode, kids and families will:
For Parents and Educators
Learning Themes:
- Understanding diverse ways of prayer and reflection
- Emotional literacy: gratitude, calm, courage, kindness
- Interfaith awareness and respectful curiosity
- Storytelling as a tool for moral and spiritual growth
- Mindfulness and movement as reflective practices
Suggested Uses:
- Morning circle or quiet time in classrooms
- Homeschool or Sunday school world religion units
- Evening family reflection routine
- Interfaith dialogue or cultural awareness lessons
- Pair with printable journal or matching game for hands-on engagement
Bonus Tip: Use the Faith Around the World: Memory Match Game as a classroom station or bulletin board activity—printable version available in the Faithfully Explore! store!
Printable Activities
Faith Around the World: Memory Match Game
Faith Around the World: Memory Match Game is a printable…
My Listening Hearts Jounal
My Listening Hearts Journal is a printable mindfulness and gratitude…
Books to Explore Together
Note: This section contains affiliate links. If you click and buy, we may earn a small commission—at no extra cost to you. Thanks for supporting Faithfully Explore!
What Happens When I Talk to God?
By Stormie Omartian
This gentle picture book helps kids understand that prayer is a powerful way to talk to God anytime, anywhere. With simple language and comforting illustrations, it shows how God listens, cares, and responds with love. A perfect introduction to prayer for young children learning to build a personal connection with faith.
In My Mosque
By M. O. Yuksel, illustrated by Hatem Aly
Step inside a mosque and discover a world of warmth, community, and worship. This beautifully illustrated picture book celebrates Muslim traditions through the eyes of children, highlighting acts of kindness, prayer, learning, and togetherness. A joyful and welcoming introduction to Islamic faith and culture for kids of all backgrounds.
Maybe God Is Like That Too
By Jennifer Grant, illustrated by Benjamin Schipper
When a young boy asks his grandma where God is, she encourages him to look for God in everyday acts of love, joy, peace, and kindness. This thoughtful picture book gently introduces the concept of seeing God through the fruits of the Spirit—perfect for sparking conversations about faith, empathy, and how we reflect the divine in daily life.
When I Pray for You
By Matthew Paul Turner, illustrated by Kimberley Barnes
This tender, lyrical book is a love letter from parent to child, celebrating all the hopes, dreams, and prayers we carry for those we love. With vibrant illustrations and a message full of warmth and wonder, it’s a beautiful reminder that every prayer is an act of love. A perfect gift for baby showers, bedtime snuggles, or moments when you want to say, “You are cherished.”
An Altar in the World: A Geography of Faith
By Barbara Brown Taylor
In this beautifully written guide to everyday spirituality, Barbara Brown Taylor invites readers to discover the sacred in ordinary life. Whether walking the dog, folding laundry, or sharing a meal, she shows how simple acts can become meaningful spiritual practices. With gentle wisdom and grace, this book helps adults find connection, reverence, and a sense of prayer far beyond church walls.
Open Mind, Open Heart
By Thomas Keating
This spiritual classic introduces readers to the practice of centering prayer—a form of silent, contemplative prayer rooted in ancient Christian tradition. With clarity and compassion, Father Thomas Keating explains how stillness, surrender, and inner listening can open the heart to God’s presence. Perfect for those seeking a deeper, quieter way to pray and grow spiritually.
Backpack Bonus: Quick Belief Facts
From today’s journey, we’re adding three new treasures to our Belief Backpack:
🐚 Shell of Silence
Helps you listen with your heart and find peace in quiet moments.
🕯️ Glowing Candle of Connection
Lights the way to deeper friendships and reminds you we’re all connected through love and care.
🎵 Music Box of Gratitude
Plays a melody of thankfulness that can brighten even the hardest day.
These treasures help us stay calm, caring, and open to the many ways people pray and reflect around the world. You can carry them in your imagination whenever you need to feel strong, kind, or thankful.
Amen is a word used in many faiths to mean “so be it” or “truly.”
The Adhan is the Muslim call to prayer heard five times a day in many communities.
Om is a sacred sound in Hinduism and Buddhism—some say it’s the sound of the universe!
Many Indigenous people in North America pray with movement, drums, and smoke, often outdoors.
Not all people pray, and that’s okay too. Reflection, meditation, or quiet gratitude can be powerful in many forms.
Listener Shoutouts
“I loved the lion’s breath exercise! Deep breath… roar!!!”
Sarah
age 9
“I homeschool my two youngest, and I have been amazed how much the mindfulness exercises help them focus before lessons.”
Jessica
homeschool mom
“We don’t pray but our family does. This was a good episode for my kids to understand why.”
Mark
dad
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💬 Join the Conversation: Comment Starters for Kids & Families
- “One thing I learned about prayer that surprised me was…”
- “My favorite prayer sound or tradition was…”
- “I tried the Lion’s Breath and it made me feel…”
- “In my family, we pray (or reflect) by…”
- “I made my Listening Hearts Journal and today I wrote about…”
👉 Share your thoughts below! What did you or your kids enjoy most from this episode?
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