Teaching Our Children to Pray
Written by Christine Crowley
“Now I lay me down to sleep” and “God is great, God is good, let us thank Him for this food.” Unfortunately, all too often those two simple children’s prayers are the extent of our teaching our children how to pray. Then as they grow older we find ourselves wondering why prayer is not a vital part of our children’s lives...Read more
How to Teach Your Child to Pray
From Parenting of K-6 Children Guide
For Older Children: This is best for children grades four and up. Use this project to teach your child to easily remember a model for his/her own personal prayer.
Difficulty Level: Easy Time Required: 30 minutes, plus occasional reminders
Here's How:
Let your child trace his hand on a sheet of art paper. Tell your child that he can use his fingers to remember how to pray:
- Over the thumb, write "Praise". Tell your child to start her prayer by praising God in words or song.
- Over the first finger, write "Thanksgiving". Tell your child that next she can thank God for something He has done.
- Over the second finger, write "Confession". Tell your child that, in prayer, it's good to tell God the things he has done wrong.
- Over the third finger, write "Petition". Tell your child that next she should ask God for the things she needs, including asking for forgiveness for the things she confessed.
- Over the fourth finger, write "Intercession". Tell your child that he can close his prayer by asking God to help others who need Him.
Put the picture up where it can be seen and remembered. When your child has it memorized, she will have the steps in prayer with her all the time.
Tips:
- Reassure your child that it's OK to tell God the things he does wrong.
- Reinforce the prayer model over time so that it becomes natural for your child to recall the steps on his fingers.
[From www.thelife.com]
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Thanksgiving as an Asset-Building Holiday
“Thanksgiving, after all, is a word of action.”—W. J. Cameron, American writer and editor
On Thanksgiving, many families and friends gather together to give thanks for the good things in their lives—and also to enjoy a meal together. Make this annual holiday an asset-building holiday by honoring your family’s traditions while also creatively adding some new activities. Try it...Read more
What Are Some Suggestions For How To Teach Children To Pray?
[From www.allaboutprayer.org]
God has specific purposes in how to teach children to pray. When a child is asked how to solve the world’s problems, their answer is succinct and short. A child’s worldview is how God intended man to live in harmony with each other. So too, is a child’s view to prayer.
“Therefore, anyone who becomes as humble as this little child is the greatest in the Kingdom of Heaven” (Matthew 18:4).
If you ever get sick with an incurable disease and medical processes have failed, ask a child to pray for your healing. People, who know how to teach a child to pray, empower that child for life to pray without doubting. Children pray with an honest and simple belief that holds no biases. I’ve seen many miracles come about through a child’s prayer. Children pray with simplicity and faith. Adults learn to doubt, causing disbelief and unanswered prayers.
- Be sure the children know that the purpose of prayer is to talk to God.
- Talk through and discuss the Lord’s Pray (Matthew 6:9-13), not as a rote ritual to repeat, but as an example of what to include in a prayer. The Lord’s Prayer teaches us to address God with respect, request our daily needs to Him, ask for forgiveness, know that God protects us from evil, and to close our petitions with honor, respect, thankfulness, and praise.
- Encourage children to start with simple sentence prayers like, “I thank God for. . .” or “I pray for. . .” More complex prayers will come.
- Pray in front of your children, so they can learn by your example. Pray together as a family.
The Parent's Place: Some Books on Teaching Prayer and Gratitude
- “Can I Pray With My Eyes Open?” by Susan Taylor Brown and Garin Baker
- “I Can Pray With Jesus: The Lord's Prayer for Children” by Debbie Trafton O'Neal [ages 4-8]
- “Journey to the Heart: Centering Prayer for Children” by Frank X. Jelenek [ages 3-10]
- “Thanksgiving Is for Giving Thanks” by Margaret Sutherland [Preschool]
- “The Giving Box: Create a Tradition of Giving with Your Children” by Fred Rogers [ages 9-12]
- “The Secret of Saying Thanks” by Douglas Wood [ages 4-8]
- “Veggie Town Values: The Spoon in the Stone, A Lesson in Serving Others” by Doug Peterson [ages 4-8]
- “When Daddy Prays” by Nikki Grimes [ages 9-12]
The Children's Corner: Some Books on Prayer and Gratitude
- “Children and Prayer: A Shared Pilgrimage” by Betty Shannon Cloyd
- “Grateful: A Song of Giving Thanks” by John Bucchino
- “Gratefulness, The Heart of Prayer: An Approach to Life in Fullness” by David Steindl-Rast and Henri J. M. Nouwen
- “Teaching Children To Pray: Ages 2 & 3” by Mary J. Davis
- “Teaching Your Child How to Pray” by Rick Osborne
- “When Children Pray: Teaching Your Kids to Pray with Power” by Cheri Fuller
- “When Families Pray: The Power of Praying Together” by Cheri Fuller
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