Teaching Children How to Pray

Parents/teachers, are you looking for creative ways to teach your children how to pray? This may be a valuable resource for you!

Mark 10:13-14 says, "People were bringing little children to Jesus to have him touch them, but the disciples rebuked them.  When Jesus saw this, he was indignant. He said to them, "Let the little children come unto me, and do not hinder them, for the Kingdom of God belongs to such as these." (NIV)

Jesus clearly made it understood to His disciples that day that no one was to hinder children in seeking Him, or being brought to Him! He loves our little ones! He desires to communicate with them through simple prayers, and in my opinion, enjoys their simplistic faith! Having no deep theology to boggle the mind, they just accept that He is there, and that He is God! Oh, that we as adults would do the same...

I  have done some reasearch on prayers for children, and below are my top ten tips for teaching children how to pray!
1. Prayer is just like talking to your mom and dad, but God is in Heaven, not here on earth.
2. God hears your every prayer, and even though you can't see Him, He's in Heaven listening to you!
3. Pray for others, like "Uncle Jack" who is sick.
4. God likes to hear from you a  lot! You can pray at other times during the day, not just at bedtime.
5. Thank God for what He has given you...like your home, your family, your "stuff".
6. Tell God about the things that make you scared or worried.
7. Tell God you're angry! He'll show you what to do...
8. Ask God how He wants you to treat others...like the bully at school.
9. Ask God to forgive you of doing wrong to other people, or to their stuff. God is a God of second chances!
10. Ask God how you can show His love to other kids or adults.

Not all of these methods need to be taught in one session! That would be overwhelming. As circumstances arise, and they will, take the opportunity then to teach them the above tips.

If you have a child who is concerned over a parent leaving for a business trip, tell them to talk to God about their fear and worry.

If you have a child whose friend's parents are getting a divorce, tell them they can pray for this friend.