Hey there, prayer warriors!

Cindy Lee here, the author of Why Pray? Ian and His Puppy Discover the Habit of Prayer. If you’ve read Ian’s story, you know how much he loves his video games and always has a million questions for his mom. But when his mom starts teaching him the power of prayer, something amazing happens: he starts learning how prayer can be part of his day-to-day routine—just like video games! And guess who’s helping him? His trusty sidekick, Peanut, of course!

One way to help kids like Ian stay connected to daily prayer is with a Prayer Tracking Calendar. It’s a fun, simple way for kids to build a daily habit. Plus, there’s something extra special about seeing those check marks fill up the page! Let’s dive into how to use this tracker, where to put it, and how you can join Ian and Peanut in their daily prayer journey.

Step 1: Download and Print the Prayer Calendar  

First, grab your **free downloadable prayer calendar** [here](#). This calendar is designed just for kids, with checkboxes to mark each day they pray. This way, they can see their progress and feel a sense of accomplishment!

Step 2: Choose the Perfect Spot for Your Calendar  

Where should you put the calendar? Here are a few suggestions that will make it easy to remember and keep track:

• By the Bed:  Putting the calendar by your child’s bed helps them start and end their day with prayer. Imagine them hopping into bed, glancing at their tracker, and remembering to take a few minutes to talk to God.
• On the Fridge:  The fridge is a great spot for reminders! Every time they grab a snack or a drink, they’ll see the tracker and remember to pray, making it a consistent part of their routine.
• By Their Favorite Activity Area:  If they’re anything like Ian, they might love video games or drawing. Placing the calendar nearby can be a subtle reminder that prayer is part of their day, too.

Step 3: Make Prayer Time Special with Ian’s Prayer  

To help kids get started, here’s a simple, easy-to-remember prayer inspired by Ian’s journey in the book:

"Dear God, thank you for my family, my friends, and for always being there for me. Please help me learn, grow, and be kind to others. Amen."

Encourage your child to say this or create their own words. The key is consistency, just like brushing their teeth or playing with their favorite toy.

Step 4: Celebrate the Progress!  

Let’s face it: everyone loves a high-five or a sticker! Make tracking fun by adding a reward or celebration. After they’ve filled a week or a month, celebrate with a fun activity, an extra story, or maybe a sticker they can put on the calendar. Small wins help make it even more exciting.

With a little encouragement and a daily reminder, your child can begin building a habit that strengthens their connection to God and helps them feel supported every day. Just like Ian learned in Why Pray?, prayer is a powerful, comforting part of life. So go ahead, download that calendar, and let’s start a beautiful habit—one check mark at a time. Happy praying!