How Can I Teach My Children About Prayer? - Daily Bible Text Messages

The Concept of Prayer

Prayer – it’s like having a conversation with your best friend, except this friend happens to be the Creator of the Universe. Teaching kids about prayer is like trying to explain why you shouldn’t mix colored and white laundry. It’s essential, but it can seem complicated at first.

Starting with Basics

Start with the basics. Explain that prayer is simply talking to God. It doesn’t have to be fancy or use big words. It’s about sharing your thoughts, feelings, and needs with God. Encourage them to be honest and open, just like they would be with a close friend.

Using the Lord's Prayer

Use the Lord’s Prayer as a model. In Matthew 6:9-13, Jesus teaches His disciples how to pray. Break it down for them:

Our Father in heaven, hallowed be your name: Begin with praise.
Your kingdom come, your will be done: Pray for God’s will.
Give us today our daily bread: Ask for what you need.
Forgive us our debts: Confess your sins.
Lead us not into temptation: Ask for guidance and protection.

Explaining Different Types of Prayer

Explain the different types of prayer:

Praise: Telling God how great He is.
Thanksgiving: Thanking God for His blessings.
Confession: Admitting when we’ve done wrong.
Supplication: Asking God for help for ourselves and others. Help them understand that prayer isn’t just about asking for things but also about building a relationship with God.

Using Everyday Moments

Incorporate prayer into everyday moments. Pray before meals, at bedtime, and when they’re facing challenges. Show them that prayer isn’t just for church but is a part of daily life. It’s like brushing your teeth – something you do regularly because it’s good for you.

Encouraging Personal Prayer

Encourage them to pray on their own. Give them a prayer journal where they can write their prayers. It helps them develop the habit of praying and provides a way to look back and see how God has answered their prayers. It’s like keeping a diary of their conversations with God.

Teaching the Power of Prayer

Teach them the power of prayer. Share stories from the Bible and your own life where prayer made a difference. Elijah prayed, and it didn’t rain for three years (1 Kings 17:1). Hannah prayed for a child, and God gave her Samuel (1 Samuel 1:27). These stories show that God hears and answers our prayers.

Praying Together

Pray together as a family. Make it a regular part of your routine. Take turns praying so they get comfortable with it. Pray for each other and for others. It strengthens your family bond and shows them the importance of praying for others.

Addressing Their Questions

Be open to their questions about prayer. They might wonder why some prayers seem unanswered or how to hear God’s voice. Discuss these questions honestly and remind them that God’s ways are higher than ours. Sometimes the answer is “yes,” sometimes “no,” and sometimes “wait.”

Making Prayer Fun

Make prayer fun. Use creative methods like prayer beads, drawing their prayers, or using a prayer jar where they put slips of paper with their prayer requests. Keeping it engaging helps them see prayer as a positive and enjoyable part of their lives.

The Sum Up

Teaching kids about prayer involves starting with the basics, using the Lord’s Prayer as a model, explaining different types of prayer, and incorporating prayer into everyday moments. Encourage personal prayer, teach the power of prayer, pray together as a family, address their questions, and make prayer fun. It’s about helping them see prayer as a conversation with God, a way to build a relationship with Him. And remember, prayer is like a phone call that never goes to voicemail – God is always listening.