The Gift of Prayer

Praying with our children is a wonderful way to teach them that communicating with God is an essential part of life. Teaching children to take the initiative and pray on their own is a valuable lesson for them. When we teach children to pray throughout their day they learn that God is real and that he is God – the one who created and loves them. They learn that God cares about all of the details of their lives.

Relationship, not acquaintanceship

When children pray, they will develop a close, personal relationship with God. God wants a relationship with us. To have a relationship, it requires communication and getting to know someone. To help children have a close, personal relationship with God, teach them to be still and spend time alone with Him. If children are engaging in prayer only with other people, then God may remain an ‘acquaintance’ instead of a close, personal friend.

Draw near to God and He will draw near to you.

james 4:8

When we teach children to spend quiet time with God, they will learn to hear and feel the promptings of the Holy Spirit; they’ll grow to know God’s voice. Children need this. Today and always. They need to know God’s voice and to understand how much God loves them.

There’s a certain confidence that comes with knowing the God of the universe, the One who created us, is with us, listening to us, correcting, forgiving, guiding, loving, and teaching us.

If God is for us, who can be against us?

Romans 8:31

Teaching Kids to Pray

There are many ways to teach, encourage, and engage children in prayer. Praying for others is a great way to help children remember that when they pray, it’s not that God is a vending machine and will give us whatever we want. God will provide our needs (and many of our wants) as they align with His good and perfect will. When we pray for someone else, when we intercede on their behalf, it is an amazing way to grow closer to God and to love others. It’s a win-win!

Perhaps one or more of the ideas below will help your family pray together and encourage children to connect one-on-one with God throughout the day.

The teachers are praying for the children and families of CCC!

In Christ,

Peggy Kelly

Family Ministry Director
cccbillerica.org