Teaching Children the Power of Prayer

Teaching kids to pray with power equips them to face any obstacle in life with the confidence of knowing that God is with them. This simple parenting advice can help you guide each of your children to understand the importance of praying. Children are Precious to God In Matthew 19:14 , Jesus said, “Suffer little children, and forbid them not, to come unto me: for such is the kingdom of Heaven.” He was not only saying that it’s a parent’s responsibility to lead their children to God but also that the simplicity, trust and humility exhibited by children is reflective of how all believers should approach Him. Explain to your child that their prayers should reflect what’s in their hearts. The act of praying is meant to deepen a believer’s relationship with God by drawing people closer to a place where they’re completely reliant on His power. Thanking God for His Bounty Saying grace before you eat is a simple way to show kids how prayer should be applied. Paul wrote in 1 Timothy 6:17 that God “giveth us richly all things to enjoy,” and blessing every meal acknowledges that gift. Cast Your Cares on Him Kids need to know that it’s okay to be scared, even for people who have a firm belief that God is in control. Teach them that their reaction is what makes the difference. Explain that they can ask God to help them with anything, as John pointed out in 1 John 5:14 when he said, “And this is the confidence that we have in him, that, if we ask any thing according to his will, he heareth us.” This bit of parenting advice is also a good reminder to you that you can bring your own cares before God even as you’re guiding your children's prayers. Praying as a Family Set a good example for your kids by bringing the whole family together to pray on a regular basis. Philippians 4:6 provides a model for this through Paul’s advice to “by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known unto God.” Letting your kids tell God what they’re thankful for is a blessing to you as well as to them. It brings you back to the basics of faith, reminding you that even the smallest things are precious treasures from God. Praying as a family also offers the opportunity to teach kids the importance of praying for others, showing compassion and treating everyone with the love of Jesus. As an adult, you have many years of experience seeing God work in your life, but kids need guidance to learn how to pray even when things don’t seem to be going well. Spend time reading Scripture together every day, find a church to attend regularly and be a continual example in your own spiritual journey. Over time, your kids will begin to see firsthand how God answers children's prayers.