Children love to imitate their parents and other older people. When Christian parents pray, they hope that their children will follow their example. Once we have ensured that our children understand salvation and make a public profession of faith, an important habit we should adopt is teaching our children to pray. How can we better teach them to pray? Here are 10 tips.
1. Teach them about prayer
Children do not inherently know that prayer is an intimate communication with God. Talk to your child about prayer: what it is and why it is important.
We are never too young to memorize the scriptures, and a good method to help your children understand the importance of prayer is 1 Thessalonians 5:17“Pray without ceasing.”
Discuss what this means, because their inevitable question will be, “How do I do this?” A lesson on how we can pray without saying the prayer out loud will surely be helpful. for example, Johnny stubbed his toe. He can pray, “Lord, please help my toe heal. »
2. Teach them by example
As little mimes, our children are always looking at us so they can imitate us. As Paul said in Philippians 3:17“Brothers, join me and keep your eyes fixed on those who walk according to the example you have in us.”
Be sure to pray as a family, during meals, before bed, etc. When you have personal Bible study and prayer time, make sure your children see you praying, whether silently or out loud. If you see them watching, invite them to join you.
3. Teach Them Proper Prayer Etiquette
We must present ourselves before the Lord as in a holy place and show Him the respect and dignity that He alone deserves. A good example is Matthew 6:5-6.
Prepare a quiet place in your home (or yard) where you and your children can come before the Lord. Remove all distractions (cell phones, iPads, music, etc.) and sit on a piece of furniture or on the floor. Tell your child that when we pray to God, we present ourselves before Him with reverence; He is holy and we must approach Him as God Almighty. Whether you are kneeling or sitting, it is a good practice to bow before Him, as if you were before Him while He is seated on His throne. Closing your eyes helps eliminate any other distractions so you can focus on your prayer time with the Lord.
Help them not to be afraid, but to rest in Him, knowing God hears our prayers and wants the best for us (Romans 8:28; 1 Peter 3:12). Remind them not to worry if the right words don’t flow, but to be honest about what they are praying for.
4. Teach Them Through Scripture
Buy a children’s Bible for your child. As you read to them or listen to them as they read, highlight the parts where prayer is part of the story.
Psalm 23 – As you read this moving and beloved psalm, tell your little one that this psalm is a prayer from King David to the Lord. Talk about how King David, although an earthly king, still needed the Lord as his shepherd. Explain how God is our Shepherd and how He comforts us, brings us peaceful rest, removes fear, etc.
Ask your child if any of David’s requests are things he needs (peace, safety, rest, comfort, etc.)
Ask your child if he would like to pray like David, then help him talk to God.
Encourage them to pray out loud so they are no longer afraid of appearing foolish in their prayers.
5. Teach them to pray to God for the Scriptures to be returned
With a Children’s Bible filled with stories written in “their” language, it’s an easy progression for your child to pray to God by turning the Scriptures upside down.
For example: Psalm 23. Lord, you are my shepherd. You give me everything I need. When I’m upset, you make me rest in a comfortable place…
6. Teach them to incorporate the ACTS acronym into their prayers
Example:
ADoration – Lord, I love you because of who you are. I love you because…
Cconfession – Father God, I am so sorry for yelling at my father. Please forgive me.
Thanksgiving – Lord God, thank you for the food you provide us each day.
Sinvocation – Lord Jesus, please help my friend Junie to learn to pray too.
7. Teach your child what “Amen” means and how to use it (Galatians 6:18)
It seems like a small thing, but when a child understands that “amen” means “so be it” or “truly,” he or she will understand how important our honesty in prayer is. Because Christians pray in the name of Jesus, we pray according to His will; and we say “so be it” to his will.
For example: “Father, You alone are awesome. Thank you for saving me. In Jesus’ name, I pray. Amen.”
8. Teach them to read God’s Word daily (Acts 17:11)
As your child learns to pray, a regular, solid supply of Bible reading, Sunday school, and homeschooling will equip and encourage him to pray prayers that are less rudimentary and more grounded in Scripture. A key to prayer is to pray according to God’s will, and the only place God’s will is found in the Bible (Bible-based pastors and parents will teach Scripture-based lessons).
Your child’s Bible reading for the day may include part of Joseph’s account of Genesis 37-50. He reads about Joseph and his brothers and how their brothers sold Joseph into slavery.
Ask your child what Joseph might have prayed while he was in the pit in the slave caravan in Egypt.
Getting your child to think about Bible stories will help him understand how many different prayer needs people have.
9. Teach them to pray to live a holy life (1 Peter 1:16)
God has called us to live holy lives. As your child prays about this, point him or her to the scriptures to see what the Bible says about how we as God’s children should live (think and act).
For example, in Galatians 5:22-23A. Teach your child first Holy Spiritthat He is God too, and that He wrote the Bible (2 Peter 1:20-21).
Then talk to your child about the fruit of the Spirit: “But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, self-control” (Galatians 5:22-23). Help your little one understand the meaning of each fruit, then have them pray:
“Lord, I want to live a holy life because Jesus tells me to. Help me to love as He loves.”
“Father, I want Your joy deep in my soul. Please fill me with your joy. (And nothing says you can’t teach your child a fun song while you instruct them in prayer).
10. Teach them to notice and honor God’s creation (Psalm 19:1-6).
It is always good to marvel at God’s creation, even in its fallen state. The psalm begins: “The heavens declare the glory of God…”
Read the Psalm 19 change to three different times in a day.
As the sun rises, go outside and watch the sky lighten as the colors of the sunrise lead you all to praise God for His magnificent ordering of the universe. Praise Him for His creatures, especially the birds who seem to praise God also with their morning songs.
As the sun sets, praise God for the hours of sunshine you have enjoyed and again, for the colors of the darkening sky. Also praise him for the “go to sleep” birdsong.
On a clear night, go out to a place away from city lights to see the stars. Tell your child that God knows each star by name (Psalm 147:4), and he also knows your child’s name!
Your child can also pray this passage to repay God.
Another passage to consider when teaching your child to be amazed by God’s creation is Genesis 9:13where God speaks to Noah about the rainbow and how it is a sign of his promise to never again send a flood over all the earth to wipe out life. Ask your child to praise God for His provision and promises.
You’ve probably thought of other ways to teach your children how to pray. It is our prayer that these ten tips have edified and encouraged you, and glorified God.
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