10 Practical Tips for Teaching Kids to Pray: A Guide for Christian Parents
Teaching children to pray is an essential aspect of their spiritual growth. Prayer is a way for children to connect with God, express their gratitude, and ask for guidance. As Christian parents, we have the responsibility to guide our children in their spiritual journey and help them establish a personal relationship with God. Here are some tips for teaching kids to pray.
Make prayer a part of your daily routine
As a mom, you can model prayer as a regular part of your daily routine. Children learn by observing their parents, so it’s essential to demonstrate the importance of prayer in your life. Start your day with prayer, and let your children see you pray before meals, bedtime, and other important moments throughout the day. This will help your children understand that prayer is a natural and vital part of their daily routine.
Use simple language
Children have a limited vocabulary and may not understand the complexities of prayer. Use simple language when teaching your children to pray, and avoid using religious jargon or complicated theological concepts. Plain and simple, make it easy to understand and do. Simple is best to start them off. Explain the meaning of the words you use in prayer, and encourage your children to ask questions. This will help them understand the purpose of prayer and what they are communicating to God.
Encourage creativity
Children are naturally creative, and prayer can be an outlet for their imagination. Encourage your children to use their creativity in prayer by drawing pictures, making crafts, or writing their prayers in a journal. This will help them express themselves in a way that feels comfortable and natural to them.
Teach them to listen
Prayer is not just about talking to God; it’s also about listening to Him. Teach your children to listen for God’s voice by creating moments of silence during prayer. Encourage them to be still and quiet, and listen for God’s guidance. This will help them develop a deeper understanding of prayer and a more personal relationship with God.
Make prayer fun
Prayer doesn’t have to be a solemn, serious activity. Make prayer fun by incorporating prayer games, music, and other interactive activities. For example, you could play a game where each family member takes turns saying a prayer request, or singing a song of thanksgiving together. This will help your children see prayer as a joyful and engaging activity. There are so many prayer games, songs, crafts, and activities that can help teach your child to pray.
Prayer never has to be boring or scary. Show your kids that it can be fun. That they can rely on prayer no matter what and how to grow close to God through it. Need some prayer craft ideas? Make a 5 Finger prayer hand with them that they get to color/paint and place near their bed to leave as a reminder on how to pray.
Do Some Prayer activities with Your Kids
These prayer activities can help children learn to pray in a fun and interactive way, while also deepening their understanding of God’s love and care for them and others.
- Prayer Walk: Take a prayer walk with your children in nature or around your neighborhood. Encourage them to observe the beauty of God’s creation and to pray for the people, animals, and environment they encounter. You can also use this time to discuss different prayer topics and show your children how to use their surroundings as inspiration for prayer.
- Prayer Chain: Create a prayer chain with your children using strips of colored paper or ribbon. Have each family member write down a prayer request on a strip and then link the strips together to form a chain. Hang the chain in a prominent place in your home as a reminder to pray for each request. You can also encourage your children to add to the chain over time with new requests or praises.
- Prayer Pals: Pair your child with a prayer pal, such as a grandparent, friend, or mentor. Encourage them to exchange prayer requests and to pray for each other regularly. You can also provide prompts or prayer cards to help guide their prayers and encourage them to share their prayer experiences with each other. This could be a great way for kids to get to know relatives they might not typically see and develop a relationship with them.
Be consistent
Consistency is key when teaching children to pray. Establish a regular time for prayer, and make sure you stick to it. This will help your children develop a habit of prayer and make it a natural part of their daily routine. Consistency also helps children feel secure and confident in their relationship with God.
Make a prayer journal
Prayer Journal: Create a prayer journal printable that your child can use to record their prayer requests and praises. The printable can include prompts or writing spaces for your child to fill in with their own thoughts and feelings, as well as space for them to track answered prayers. You can also include Bible verses or prayer prompts to help guide your child’s prayers.
Celebrate answered prayers
When prayers are answered, celebrate with your children. This will help them understand the power of prayer and how God works in their lives. It also reinforces the importance of prayer and encourages them to continue praying.
Create a Gratitude Journal
Gratitude Printable or journals: Create a printable gratitude sheet that your child can use to record the things they are thankful for each day. Encourage them to include specific people, events, or blessings in their list, and to use this as a way to connect with God and express their gratitude through prayer.
Teaching children to pray is an essential part of their spiritual development. As Christian parents, we have the responsibility to guide our children in their relationship with God. By making prayer a regular part of our daily routine, using simple language, encouraging creativity, teaching them to listen, making prayer fun, being consistent, and celebrating answered prayers, we can help our children develop a deeper understanding of prayer and a closer relationship with God. The whole goal as being their parent is to help them grow in their faith.
