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Child Prayers are Simply a Conversation with God
Jeremiah 29:12,13 As a parent, our objective is to make child prayers as natural for a child as breathing. 1 Thessalonians 5:17 says that we should never stop praying. Encourage your child from the beginning to make prayers for children a part of their lifestyle. You can easily explain to youngsters that child prayers are a way they can constantly speak to their 'father' throughout the day. They can thank him for their blessings, praise him, lay their troubles or concerns before him, ask him for guidance or direction or make requests. Kids just need to know they can go to God anytime and should go to him all the time- no matter how minor the matter is. Make sure your child understands that child prayers are just a casual conversation with God about what is going on in their lives. They need to know that fancy grown up words aren't important to God. God just wants to have a relationship with them and to hear what is in their heart. As simple as that sounds; that is what child prayers are! One thing you may encourage your child to do is keep a prayer journal recording what they are praying about. Kids love to see progress and checking the journal from time to time shows them how awesome God is when he answers prayers for children. It can also help them understand that prayer happens in God's timing, not in ours. Books on Teaching Children to Pray As for older children, after they have committed some bible verses to memory, they can start incorporating those verses learned into their daily child prayers. This emphasizes that God's spoken word is very powerful and can really make major changes in their lives. Emphasize that there are different types of child prayers: prayers of thanksgiving, intercession and prayers of petition. Each type of prayer is important and God expects us to be balanced in how we pray. Some simple prayers for children: Father God,Sometimes I get scared and need to know that you are there. Please comfort and protect me. In Jesus name. Amen Father God,I pray for my friend Mike who is going through a hard time at home. Please be with him, guide and strengthen him through this time. In Jesus name. Amen Father God,I am having lots of trouble at school. Your word says that you have made unto me wisdom and I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me. Please give me wisdom to understand it so I can do well in my class. Thank you Lord. In Jesus name. Amen Father God,Thank you for all the blessings in my life. I just want to thank you for being with me during my ball game today. I want to give you all the glory and praise for the athletic abilities you've blessed me with.In Jesus name. Amen Father God,I just want to please you and follow your will for my life but sometimes I just don't feel like I am good at anything. Please reveal my gifts to me so I can use them to further your kingdom. In Jesus name. Amen Father God,Some of my friends are pushing me to do some things that I know are bad. I know you can give me the strength and courage to stand up and resist their pressure even if it means getting made fun of or bullied. Thank you for working in my life. In Jesus name. Amen Recommended resources:
© Beth Rimstidt 2005 Permission is given for non-profit use of the information from this web page provided it is accompanied by the citation: Used by permission of Beth Rimstidt www.child-bible-lessons.com All requests for other uses will be considered. Please ask.
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