Lenten Prayer for Families

Barb Szyszkiewicz reviews a new book by Colleen Pressprich that offers the whole family an opportunity to pray together through the season of Lent.

Lenten Prayer for Families

By Colleen Pressprich; illustrated by Amy Heyse

Published by Our Sunday Visitor

When you have a family, you can’t spend 40 days in the desert by yourself, fasting and praying. Instead, you need to tailor your Lenten observance to your state in life. In her new book, Lenten Prayer for Families, Colleen Pressprich offers concrete ways to help your family live the three pillars of Lent — prayer, fasting, and almsgiving — together.

A Devotional Based on Scripture

I cannot think of a better way to prepare hearts and minds for the joy of Easter than to spend Lent diving into the Living Word of God as a family, which is why Scripture is the heart of this devotional. (from the Introduction)

Colleen includes Scripture not only as a point of prayer and discussion, but also for memorization. Beginning with the First Sunday of Lent, a weekly memorization verse is highlighted; these verses correspond with the weekly themes, which include conversion of heart, prayer, repentance, reconciliation, and renewal and restoration. Learning these verses “by heart” is an excellent way to encourage your children to keep Scripture close to them, and in the Introduction, Colleen suggests multiple strategies for memorizing Scripture — even a way to make it a game!

Format of the Book

Each day’s entry includes four parts:

• Brief Scripture passage
• A reflection on the passage for the family to read together
• Prayer
• Conversation starters: two or three discussion questions

In addition, each day's entry is accompanied by a beautiful full-page illustration by Amy Heyse.

The Introduction to the book includes suggestions for using these reflections with children of different ages, and ideas for tying each day’s prayer experience to something your family is already doing.

At the end of the book, a Notes for Parents section offers helpful background information, further reflection, and strategies for discussing difficult or challenging topics with your children.

Lenten Prayer for Families begins with Ash Wednesday and includes entries through Divine Mercy Sunday, the end of the Octave of Easter, as well as entries for the Solemnities of Saint Joseph and the Annunciation, both of which can fall during Lent. The book can be used during any year.

Lenten Prayer for Families is a useful resource for parents who want their families to prepare together for the joy of Easter.

Is this a book you'd like to read? Share your thoughts with the Catholic Mom community! You'll find the comment box below the author's bio and list of recommended articles.

Copyright 2026 Barb Szyszkiewicz
Images: (top) detail from cover
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