Teaching Children to Pray
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Teaching children to pray is a topic I’ve not approached on the blog, because frankly I’m still trying to figure it out. Any time I write from a parenting view, I must preface it with “Work In Progress.” But I love to share the ideas I’ve found that work for an area of teaching children, as well as maybe a few that don’t. I can always rely on you, my awesome readers, to share your ideas for a topic and that is what makes a community. So today, let’s chat about prayer and more specifically, teaching children to pray.
Many times over I’ve told you that my husband and I pray with each of our children each night individually. Our children also pray alone in their beds and this was not something we prompted. The habit just naturally happened as a result of praying with each of them at night from the time they were born. We are working on their ability/boldness to pray aloud in front of others and sometimes it is tough. I never want to push my faith on them, but provide them with the opportunity to discover the beauty of a true relationship with Jesus.
Having a model or guide for prayer can assist anyone to learn to pray. Here on the blog, there are two well-loved prayer tools available:
1. The CH@T prayer bookmark comes in all different colors and can also be printed to use as a prayer journaling page. This tool is fabulous for adults and children alike; my kiddos use this simple guide for their prayer journals.
2. The Prayer by Color guide is an easy way to remember prayer goals also. Available in bookmark form, this guide uses the 8 basic colors of a crayon box as reminders to pray for the needs of a child. This particular guide could also be used to teach children how to pray through their own needs.
Most Bible teaching I’ve heard on prayer begins with the Lord’s Prayer because Jesus himself taught the disciples to pray. Can you imagine what that must have been like? To have the Son of God stand before you and say these words:
Our Father which art in heaven, Hallowed be thy name. Thy kingdom come. Thy will be done in earth, as it is in heaven. Give us this day our daily bread. And forgive us our debts, as we forgive our debtors. And lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil: For thine is the kingdom, and the power, and the glory, for ever. Amen. Matthew 6:9-13
I can’t imagine what must have been going through their minds as their senses took in this scene. If you’d like to learn more about what Jesus spoke to the disciples on the subject of prayer in addition to the verses above, Matthew 6 is the chapter you’ll want to read.
And for us today, the Lord’s Prayer is still used as a model to learn to speak to God, our heavenly Father, who loves us so very much.
To help your child memorize this prayer is truly special and I’ve found a sweet book that will serve as your tool to do just that! Take a peek at this simple, yet colorful and engaging board book:
[scribd id=228808409 key=key-oydi2ydM9IfCZrJOzBoc mode=scroll]
If you’d like to order this book, you can do so right here.
And I’m excited to be giving away a copy of this awesome children’s book on prayer! Follow the Rafflecopter and I’ll see you tomorrow!
Rachel
Disclosure: Product provided by publisher for review; all opinions are my own. Post contains affiliate links. Site may be compensated if purchase is made. See full disclosure policy here.
Teaching my kids by example has been the thing that’s worked best for me. I think our method will change as they get older.
I thought my 2.year old to prayer every night before bed. It started with thanking the Lord for the day he had and sometimes he will say thank you for a person or something that happened.
Our grandson is 18 months old. We read to him a lot & also pray with him. He often prays along in his own language! He will become a big brother in December! He is a good boy
& will be a good example to his sister. This book on prayer would be perfect for him to learn & pass on! thank you for this opportunity!
We have children devotionals. The one has little prayers for different areas (blessings, grief, etc). We’d LOVE this addition! Thanks for the chance. Blessings.
There is a small book named “While They Are Sleeping” which gives Mom and Dads a guide to pray over their children at night; just bought my daughter-in-laws this book for their little ones; we even teach for them to pray when they have a ambulance, etc. drive by with the light on….to pray for whomever is in that vehicle… this is most important to teach them while they are small. Please check out the above book…it is important to pray for these wee little ones also….can instill some wonderful traits in them….character, integrity, compassion, caring, etc. God will honor and be faithful if we bring these little ones up in Him……it is soooo important at this time. Love you blog….
thanks for the recommendation, Melanie! Will check it out! Blessings to you.
Can’t wait for the birth of our little son in October and we want to start praying with him as soon as he’s born. This book sounds great!
Definitely showing the example! We just started praying together as a family and my son is learning to pray through that! Thank you for the giveaway! 🙂
I have two granddaughters ages 20 months and 5 months. Our older granddaughter loves books and already bows her head and folds her hands to say grace. She knows Jesus loves her and this would be a wonderful picture book to read to her.
It looks like a wonderful book to teach children to pray. There’s nothing like the Lord’s prayer as Jesus taught us to pray.
Love the idea of the book. Although my children have memorized and we’ve discussed the meaning, having a picture, children’s book to aid in understanding is always great.
We have a children’s devotional that my children love, which is helpful. We pray daily in our house, and my oldest son loves to pray. My youngest son is embarrassed to pray outloud (he’s 3). So, we take turns giving thanks over every meal and they do their bed time prayers together since they are in the same room. They both give thanks for their blessings, pray for family & friends, and for themselves (no bad dreams, boo boos to heal, etc). They are comforted by prayer, which is comforting to me 🙂 It will be great to get some new ideas from other Moms. Love your blog 🙂
thanks Danielle!! Love all you are doing for prayer with your children.