Dear Lord; Good morning Father!
Father, today marks the birth of someone who greatly influenced my early years, as well as the lives of many other children throughout the world. And while he’s no longer with us here, the legacy he left behind continues to inspire, educate and delight those who read his works. I’m of course speaking of Theodor Seuss Geisel, better known by his pen name of Dr. Seuss.
While he made a point of not speaking to any one religion or group in his writings, his messages of tolerance, understanding and peace were obvious and recurring themes in the books he wrote. Through whimsical characters, engaging stories and tongue-twisting rhymes he made learning fun while passing along the underlying positive messages to his young audience. Even as an adult, I still get a smile reading his stories.
The one published exception to his self-imposed rule of not writing works with obvious religious connotations came in a full-page, full-color article in the December 23, 1955 issue of Collier’s Magazine, where he wrote “A Prayer for a Child”* :
“From here on earth,
From my small place
I ask of You
Way out in space:
Please tell all men
In every land
What You and I
Both understand . . .
Please tell all men
That Peace is Good.
That’s all
That need be understood
In every world
In Your great sky.
(We understand.
Both You and I.)” – Theodor Seuss Geisel
Heavenly Father, thank You for the gifts this man brought to me and to so many other children. While his words may not specifically carry Your name, Your Light shone brightly through his works all the same. Amen.
~Phather Phil
Hi, I’m Phil Malmstrom, a.k.a. Phather Phil. I’m self-employed, father of two wonderful young men, an ordained minister who delights in spreading Jesus’ Message of Hope and Love, a science-fiction junkie, an aspiring photographer and above all that one of God’s Children who rejoices in His Blessings each day. 
Happy Birthday Dr Seuss! I still think How the Grinch Stole Christmas and what the Grinch learns is one of the best messages ever written. Thanks for the reminder. My son’s school is celebrating his Bday today too!
Thank you Eileen! I agree completely… My kids know most of the words to that one by heart (ok… I do too. 🙂 )!
Have a Blessed Day!
I love his stories and so do my children. I had never heard that prayer before. Thank you for sharing it. Blessings
Thank you Jenifer! I hadn’t heard it either until I started doing some research into his life. 🙂
Have a Blessed Day!
And out of the box popped Thing 1 and Thing 2!
Yes Dear, we call the boys that for a reason don’t we? 😉 Love you!
Love Dr Seuss. I knew it was his birthday but never read this prayer before by him. How very special. I think it is important to step back and appreciate those who help mold our lives and you reminded me of one person today who did. yes he does bring a smile to our faces. Thanks Phil
I completely agree Jean. He was an amazing man, and most certainly helped shape some of who I am. 🙂
Have a Blessed Day!
I have read all of his books when I was a child and read them to my daughter and now I am reading them to my grandson.
We started collecting them when we first found out that Shannon was pregnant with Jonathan. Once a week, I went to the local Borders Books and bought a new one so that by the time he was born, we had most of them. 🙂
Have a Blessed Day Desiray!
In Horton Hears a Who, a clear message is delivered: “A Person is a Person No Matter How Small.” God hears the small voices on our planet that everyone else ignores, even the unborn.
My daughter was in the delightful production, Seussical the Musical, based on the books of Dr. Seuss. What an enriching adventure for her!
Thank you for this wonderful tribute to one who must have been a man after God’s own heart, so creative and fruitful he was during his life.
“A Prayer for a Child” brought tears to my eyes.
Peace and joy,
~ Debra
I love the messages present in Horton as well Debra. His books taught us all some lessons that continue to be valuable as we grow older (and they’re just fun to read too!). When I found this prayer, it just warmed my heart so I’m glad I could share it.
Have a Blessed Day!
P.S. – Thank you so much for the verse from Dr. Angelou on your comment! I’m actually using it today! 🙂
I do not like green eggs and ham, I do not like them Sam I am…
Love Dr. Suess! Cat in the hat…The Lost Tooth Book (i think that’s the name of that one…i didn’t even know this one existed until my hubby brought it back from Universal Studios for my boys)!
We love them all in our home as well Allison! When Jonathan was first born, Shannon and I used to have a contest going to see who could read “Fox in Socks” the fastest from start to finish without making any mistakes… It made Jonathan laugh and laugh to see mommy and daddy all tongue tied!
Have a Blessed Day!
Awesome Phil! Really cool thing about Dr. Suess! Im printing that prayer out and taking it to my girls Christian School. They are actually eating green eggs and ham today!:)
Wonderful Kelli! I’m so glad you liked it and that the schools are still keeping his whimsical spirit alive!
Have a Blessed Day!