Children love to imitate their parents and other older people. When Christian parents pray, they ask that their children follow their lead. Once our children understand salvation and are able to publicly profess their faith, an important habit we should strive for is teaching them to pray. How can we teach them to pray? Here are 10 tips.
1. Teach what prayer is
Children do not inherently know that prayer is an intimate communication with God. Tell your child about prayer, what it is, and why it is important.
We are never too young to memorize the Bible. A great way to help children understand the importance of prayer is 1 Thessalonians 5:17: “Pray without ceasing.”
Discuss what this means. Because the inevitable question is, “How can I do that?” A lesson on how to pray without saying your prayers aloud will surely come in handy. For example, Johnny stubs his toe. He can pray, “Lord, help my toe heal.”
2. Teach by example
Our children, little mimes, are always observing us so that they can imitate us. As Paul said in Philippians 3:17, “My brethren, keep your eyes on those who follow my example, who walk after the example you have in us.”
Be sure to pray as a family, such as during meals and before going to bed. When you have personal Bible study or prayer time, have your children watch you pray silently or out loud. If you see them watching, invite them to join.
3. Teach proper prayer etiquette
We must come before the Lord as if in a holy place and show Him the respect and worth that only He deserves. A good example is Matthew 6:5-6.
Prepare a quiet place in your home (or backyard) where you and your children can come into the presence of the Lord. Remove all distractions (cell phone, iPad, music, etc.) and sit on furniture or on the floor. Tell your child that when we pray to God, we come before God with respect. God is holy and we need to approach Him as God Almighty. Whether you are kneeling or sitting, it is a good practice to bow before God as if you were sitting before Him on His throne. Closing your eyes blocks out other distractions and allows you to focus on your time in prayer with the Lord.
Help them to rest fearlessly in God, knowing that God hears our prayers and wants the best for us (Romans 8:28; 1 Peter 3:12). Instead of worrying if you don’t have the right words, remind yourself to be honest about what you’re praying for.
4. Teach through the Bible
Purchase a children’s Bible for your child. As you read aloud or listen to the book being 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 King David’s prayer to the Lord. Talk about how even though King David was an earthly king, he still needed the Lord as his shepherd. Explain how God is our Shepherd, how He comforts us, brings us peaceful rest, and takes away our fears.
Ask if any of David’s requests include what the child needs (peace, safety, rest, comfort, etc.).
Ask your child if they would like to pray like David and help them talk to God.
Encourage your children to pray out loud to avoid fear that their prayers will seem foolish.
5. Teach them to give the Bible back to God and pray.
A children’s Bible filled with stories written in “their” language makes it easy to get your child to pray the Bible back to God.
Example: Psalm 23. Lord, you are my shepherd. you give me everything I need. When I’m frustrated, you give me a comfortable place to rest…
6. Teach How to Incorporate the ACTS Acronym into Prayers
example:
Worship – Lord, I love you for who you are. I love you because…
Confession – Father God, I am so sorry for yelling at my father. please forgive me.
Thanksgiving – Lord God, we thank you for the food you provide us with every day.
Petition – Lord Jesus, please help my friend Junie also learn how to pray.
7. Teach your child what “Amen” means and how to use it (Galatians 6:18).
It may seem like a small thing, but when your child understands that “amen” means “yes,” or “really,” he or she will understand how important sincerity is in prayer. Christians pray in the name of Jesus, so we pray according to the will of Jesus. And we say to God’s will, “Let it be so.”
For example: “Father, you alone are great. Thank you for saving me. In Jesus’ name, I pray. Amen.”
8. Teach me to read God’s Word daily (Acts 17:11)
As your child learns to pray, a steady and strong incorporation of Bible reading, Sunday School, and home lessons will prepare and encourage their prayers to be less rudimentary and more Biblical. The key to prayer is praying according to God’s will, and the only place God’s will is written is in the Bible (Biblical pastors and guardians provide Bible-based lessons).
Your child’s Bible reading for the day may include portions of Joseph’s account from Genesis 37-50. He read about Joseph and his brothers and how his brothers sold Joseph into slavery.
Ask your child what Joseph prayed for when he was in the hole in the Egyptian slave trader’s caravan.
Asking your child to think about Bible stories will help them understand how different people need prayers.
9. Teach us to pray to live holy lives (1 Peter 1:16)
God calls us to live holy lives. As your child prays this, guide them to read the Bible and understand what the Bible says about how we should live (think and act) as children of God.
For example, Galatians 5:22-23a. First, teach your child about the Holy Spirit. The Holy Spirit is also God, and He wrote the Bible (2 Peter 1:20-21).
Next, tell your children about the fruits of the Spirit. “But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control” (Galatians 5:22-23). Help your child understand the meaning of each fruit, then have them pray:
“Lord, I want to live a holy life because Jesus said so. Help me to love as Jesus loves.”
“Father, I want to keep your joy deep within my heart. Fill me with your joy.”
10. Teach us to recognize God’s creation and ways to glorify Him (Psalm 19:1-6).
Even in our fallen state, it is always good to reflect on God’s creation. The psalm begins, “The heavens declare the glory of God…”
Read Psalm 19 three times a day at different times.
Step outside at sunrise and watch the sunrise colors light up the sky as you praise God for the grand order of the universe. Praise God for His creatures, especially the birds that seem to praise Him in their morning songs.
At sunset, praise God once again for the hours of sunlight you enjoyed and the colors of the darkening sky. Praise the chirping of birds that say “Let’s go to sleep.”
On a clear night, step away from the city lights and stargaze. Tell your child that God knows the names of all the stars (Psalm 147:4) and that He also knows your child’s name.
Your child can also pray this verse back to God.
Another scripture to consider when teaching children reverence for God’s creation is Genesis 9:13, where God tells Noah about the rainbow and how it is a sign of God’s promise to never again flood the whole earth to wipe out life. Have your child praise God for His provision and promises.
You’ve probably thought of other ways to teach your children how to pray. I pray that these 10 tips will enlighten you, encourage you, and bring you glory to God.
Photo credit: ©Getty Images/gjohnstonphoto.jpg
Lisa Lorraine Baker is an award-winning author. A place to be someone, This work is being adapted and staged by Cullum House Theater in Cleveland, Ohio (Winter 2027). Lisa has written a novel (A Christmas Story) and is currently working on a novel titled “Shelter.” She also writes nonfiction, including articles for BibleStudyTools.com and Christianity.com. She and her husband Stephen live in Lexington, Kentucky with their Kentucky wild cat, Louis.
