{"id":7695,"date":"2024-05-01T08:03:00","date_gmt":"2024-05-01T14:03:00","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/wonderink.org\/?p=7695"},"modified":"2024-08-23T11:04:27","modified_gmt":"2024-08-23T17:04:27","slug":"teaching-kids-to-pray","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/wonderink.org\/teaching-kids-to-pray\/","title":{"rendered":"4 Things to Do When Teaching Kids to Pray"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

Prayer is incredibly important\u2014way too important to not do it. So we have to talk about it as a key component to a thriving kids\u2019 ministry. The need for prayer and intercession is mentioned throughout Scripture.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Take a look at Romans 8\u2014the Holy Spirit prays for us (verse 26) and Jesus, the one who died for us, intercedes for you and me (verse 34).<\/p>\n\n\n\n

We can talk to the God of the universe about anything and everything, because He cares for us.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

But sometimes this critical practice is all too easily forgotten.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

4 Things to Remember When Teaching Kids to Pray<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

1. Tell Kids Who Jesus Is and Remind Them How Much He Loves Them<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

First thing first, kids need to know how much Jesus loves them. Sometimes we expect children to immediately want to pray, after we’ve told them their whole lives not to talk to strangers.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

It’s important that we teach children who God is and just how much He loves them. He is their Lord and Friend and He cares for them so much. If you need language for this, this article from Ministry Spark<\/a> is a great place to start.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

You can also lean into the Heart of Wonder Ink found on page 10 of this download.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

It’s important that we teach children who God is and just how much He loves them.<\/p><\/blockquote><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

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Credit: Getty Images\/Stone\/Catherine Delahaye<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

2. Assure Them That God Wants to Hear from Them as Children<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Prayer isn’t only for adults! Kids need to know how much God loves to hear from them. We see this well on display when Jesus says to ‘let the children come’ to Him (Luke 18).<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Children may feel that they are too young or insignificant for God\u2019s attention, or that God is only interested in grownups. Assure children that God cares and wants to hear from them at any time (see Matthew 7:7-8). They are important to Him!<\/p>\n\n\n\n

And let children know that God hears, even if they don\u2019t feel like anything happened! They can talk to Him about anything and everything.<\/p>\n\n\n\t\t

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Wonder Ink\u2019s 3-year, 52-week children\u2019s ministry curriculum offers kids space to fully find their place in God\u2019s Big Story. Children discover they are Known by God, Loved by Jesus, and Led by the Holy Spirit.<\/p>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/section>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\n\n\n\n

3. When Teaching Kids to Pray, Teach Them Prayer Can Take Place Anywhere, Anytime<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

The idea of supplication\u2014humbly making our requests to God\u2014is certainly biblical. Our kids should know this is a legitimate aspect of prayer and being humble before God is important.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

But they also need to know that it’s not about eyes closed, kneeled before God 24\/7 (although this is a great aspect of prayer time regarding humility in posture). God hears them when they are at home, at school, on the go, in bed, eyes open, eyes shut. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

They can be reminded that God is with them always, therefore, they can take anything to Him in prayer at any time. Kids should know that they can pray while doing anything! And God will hear them.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

And although sometimes His answer is no (just like their parents sometimes say no), He loves to hear from them and supply their needs.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

God knows what\u2019s best for us, and He\u2019s always working for the good of those who love Him (Romans 8:28).<\/p><\/blockquote><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

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Credit: Getty Images\/Moment\/Halfpoint Images<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

4. Encourage Them to Build Relationship with God Through Prayer<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

We want to teach kids that prayer isn\u2019t just asking God for things\u2014it\u2019s talking to Him about everything<\/em>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

This is true in all of our relationships. Remind them how much their moms and dads love to hear from them and play with them. Remind them that it’s not just about what they want or need, but spending time together!<\/p>\n\n\n\n

When they do want to talk to God about something they want, we can steer them toward verses like 1 John 5:14. Assure kids that we can approach God confidently because He hears us when we pray.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

God may not always answer our prayers the way we\u2019d like. But, we can be sure that He always hears them. He knows what\u2019s best for us, and He\u2019s always working for the good of those who love Him (Romans 8:28).<\/p>\n\n\n\n

More from Wonder Ink<\/h2>\n\n\n\n