An Innovative Prayer Book for Children (and Adults)

Patrice Fagnant-MacArthur reviews The Power of Prayer, the latest installment of The Building Blocks of Faith Series. 

The Power of Prayer (Building Blocks of Faith)

By Kevin and Mary O’Neill

Published by Sophia Institute Press

The Building Blocks of Faith

At first glance, it would be easy to dismiss The Building Blocks of Faith series by Kevin and Mary O’Neill as Catholic fluff. How could books that use LEGO® teach solid Catholic theology? But that is the beauty of this series. The illustrations, painstakingly created with bricks and minifigures, draw children in and keep their attention, while the text offers a very thorough explanation of Catholic teachings and practices.

I was introduced to this series with Catechism of the Seven Sacraments and The Holy Mass: On Earth as It Is in Heaven, both of which I loved and used in my homeschool. Other books in the series include A Pocket Guide to the Holy Rosary, A Pocket Guide to Sacramental Reconciliation, and A Pocket Guide to the Stations of the Cross.

The Importance of Prayer

The Power of Prayer is the latest offering in this series. The O’Neills state that their hope in writing this book “is to help children and families rediscover what prayer truly is and how to unlock the immeasurable impact it can have on our relationship with God, and the impact it can have on our and others’ eternal souls!” (xi)

They begin by explaining what prayer is, using ACTS as an acronym for Adoration, Contrition, Thanksgiving, and Supplication. Lectio Divina is also introduced. They discuss the value of fasting, the importance of making amends for sins, and the practice of asking saints and angels to pray for us.

A Variety of Classic Catholic Prayers

This book includes traditional prayers, such as the Our Father, Hail Mary, and Glory Be (in both English and Latin); the Guardian Angel Prayer; the Angelus; the Rosary; Acts of Faith, Hope, and Love; and Prayers to the Immaculate Heart of Mary and Most Chaste Heart of St. Joseph.

The section on Liturgical Prayers includes prayers from the Mass (in both English and Latin), prayers for Benediction and Adoration, and an Introduction to the Liturgy of the Hours.

The chapter on Seasonal Prayers offers prayers for Advent, Christmas, Lent, and Easter, including the St. Andrew Christmas Novena, O Antiphons, Stations of the Cross, Divine Mercy Chaplet, and the Regina Caeli.

Additional assorted prayers, such as The Seven Sorrows Chaplet, Litany of Humility, Emergency Flying Novena, and Prayers for St. Joseph’s Protection, are included in the final chapter.

There is a glossary of important terms, and an appendix includes the Latin alphabet with ecclesiastical pronunciations, Latin translations of common prayers, the 15 Promises of the Rosary, and the conditions for plenary indulgences.

A Resource for Both Children and Adults

While The Power of Prayer is designed to appeal to children, the adults who share it with them will no doubt learn more about prayer as well. There is such a wealth of information in these pages and so many prayers that both children and adults are sure to gain a deeper understanding of prayer and discover some new devotions. It is a valuable resource for any Catholic home, school, or parish library.

Read more CatholicMom articles on teaching children to pray.

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Copyright 2026 Patrice Fagnant-MacArthur
Images: (top) detail from cover; interior photos of book copyright 2026 Patrice Fagnant-MacArthur, all rights reserved.
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