PRAYER ~ HOW TO INCLUDE CHILDREN
In surveys given to Christian adults about prayer, there are two main reasons given why we don't pray as much as we know we should. The first answer is, "Because I'm too busy." The second should shake the core of the Church. "Because I don't know how." Many answering this survey have been raised in Christian homes.
Very young children are natural prayer warriors. In their innocence they eagerly seek the face of God, believing wholeheartedly in His ability to answer their prayers. However, parents, grandparents, Sunday school teachers, pastors, older siblings and others have a critical role in encouraging young children to develop and strengthen their prayer lives. If this doesn't happen, or if children are discouraged from the practice of prayer, it becomes much more difficult for them to grow up to be effective intercessors as adults. Prayer is critical to the Christian lifestyle. Without it, we have no active communication with the Living Lord we serve.
As adults, we must accept one very important fact: the prayers of young children are not practice prayers for the future. When children pray, it is not "cute"--it is powerful! Here are some specific ways to encourage your own children, or the children in your sphere of influence, to become pray-ers that God can use.
1. Be a good example of a praying person. If children have good models to follow, they are more likely to develop good prayer habits.
2. Moms and Dads--if you don't already, consider making a habit of praying together as husband and wife. Watch God bless your family.
3. Give your child a variety of opportunities to experience prayer at home, at church and in other settings. The more you incorporate prayer into every aspect of everyday life, the more likely a child will be to consider talking to our Heavenly Father as natural as breathing.
4. Read Psalms and sing praise songs together. Pray the words back to the Lord as your highest praise to Him.
5. Whenever something good happens, no matter how small, teach your children to thank God for the blessing. Learn to point out God's blessings to one another.
6. Help children to be aware of answered prayer. So often, we don't give the Lord credit or thanks for His answers. It is important to teach children to look for God's answers in their lives so they can see how much He cares about everything they do. Tell them when God answers your prayers and encourage them to tell you when He answers theirs. Answered prayer testimonies are powerful faith-builders!
7. Help children to see the beauty of God's creation--isn't that a beautiful sunset?" Or, "Look at these colorful flowers that the Lord made for us to enjoy," etc. You'll be surprised how quickly they begin to point out God's wonderful creations when they have an awareness.
8. Have at least one night of the week set aside for Family Night. Do something fun together, then have a time of devotion. Have each person in the family express why they are thankful to God for the other members of the family. Pray for one another's needs.
9. Bless your children before they go to sleep at night. We use the blessing from Numbers 6:24-26 at our house: "The Lord bless you and keep you; the Lord make His face shine upon you and be gracious to you; the Lord turn His face toward you and give you peace." There is something very special for children and parents in the praying of and the receiving of blessing.
10. Whenever you come across someone in need, such as a homeless person, or people who have been in an accident, take some time to pray for those involved. Encourage your children to pray too. Ask God to show you if you can be the answer to your own prayers by helping in some way.
11. Assure your children of God's presence by praying for their protection, and sharing with them the promises God gives to us through His word. A good example for children who may be afraid is Psalm 91, especially verse 11: "For he will command his angels concerning you to guard you in all your ways."
12. Have special prayer times that are wrapped in family traditions. By doing so, you will help your children to see prayer as a natural part of everything your family does together. For example, place the person having a birthday in a chair in the center of the room. Lay hands upon that one and pray for him or her. This can be done at anniversaries, graduations, etc. On holidays, take time to bless one another, or to express to God why you are thankful, etc.
13. Give your children opportunity to pray for you and your needs. Let them know that you would appreciate their prayers. Ask them how you can be praying for them as well.
14. Pray together before important tests, sports events in which your children are participating, etc. Teach them to ask for wisdom, courage, sportsmanship, etc.
15. Pray with your children about school, teachers, friends, and other issues that concern them.
16. Get involved in prayer events together such as Praying Through the Window, National Day of Prayer, Pray World!, Prayer and Fasting, etc.
17. Become a Lighthouse of Prayer as a family. Pray for your neighbors.
18. Go on prayerwalks together around your neighborhood. Pray for families, businesses, schools, etc. as you pass.
19. Pray over family decisions together. Involve your children in prayer decisions such as wisdom to buy a new car, when and where to go on vacation, ways to help others, etc.
20. Make a Family Prayer Notebook. Include pictures of family members, friends, missionaries, pastors, and others you are praying for together. Make sure to have a section for answered prayers!
21. Practice fasting together. With very young children you may choose to fast one meal together and spend the time praying. You may also choose to fast from things such as television or other activities in order to spend time in prayer together. Take time to learn together about the importance of prayer and fasting.
22. Adopt a people group as a family. Learn as much as you can about them and pray for the Church to be planted in their midst. Pray for the children and their families to come to Christ.
23. Pray for your nation and its leaders. Teach your children that it is more important to pray for them than to criticize them.
By now you may be overwhelmed with ideas. Please don't try to do them all. Start with being good examples of praying adults and then chose a few others which fit your family. You can begin to enrich the prayer life of your family as you grow together in prayer, and your children, being surrounded with the lifestyle of prayer, will be so blessed. Continue to pray that through these experiences, your children will grow strong in faith and intercession!
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