Showing Your Children How to Pray
When I was a boy, my mother used to pray for me every night before bed—but I don’t recall her ever giving me any specific instructions about prayer. She just did it, and it became a normal and comforting part of our nighttime routine. Showing me a good example was her means of instruction. What Mom taught me was not just to pray when I was anxious (which was largely at night, as is typical for many youngsters), but also that it's normal for a parent to pray for their children. Now I’ve taken what my mother taught me, and my wife and I do this for our four children. I pray every night with my 10-year-old son. We pray for things that make him anxious at night, for events at school, for other family members who are going through difficult times, and even for his next sports game. Here are five prayers you can pray with your kids to root them in God’s truth and peace for their lives.
1. I know the LORD is always with me. I will not be shaken, for He is right beside me. – Psalm 16:8 NLT
Lord Jesus, help my child to be confident and convinced of Your steadfast presence. Allow him to remember You still have the whole world in Your hands. Keep her safe and secure in You. Nothing can separate my child from Your love. Draw near to her as she draws near to You! In Your most powerful name I pray, amen.
2. “Don’t let your hearts be troubled. Trust in God, and trust also in Me.” – John 14:1 NLT
Father, Your word tells me to “not let” my heart be troubled. Keep my child from allowing anxious feelings to take over her heart. I pray for Your power and presence to remove all fear. Fill my child’s heart with Your perfect love, and help him find comfort in You alone. In Jesus’ name I pray, amen.
3. Don’t worry about anything; instead, pray about everything. Tell God what you need, and thank Him for all He has done. Then you will experience God’s peace, which exceeds anything we can understand. His peace will guard your hearts and minds as you live in Christ Jesus. – Philippians 4:6-7 NLT
God, please help my children to focus on You and what is true rather than on anything else. Your grace is enough for my children, as Your power works best in weakness. I pray that they lean into You, knowing it’s all going to be okay, and You will never leave or forsake them. Thank You for all You have done and for Your peace which guards their hearts and minds as they live in You. In Jesus’ mighty name, amen.
4. Give all your worries and cares to God, for He cares about you. – 1 Peter 5:7 NLT
God, we give You the heavy cares and worries that weigh us down. We bring them to Your feet and leave them there. Thank You for the cross, where You bore not only all our sins, but the weight of the cares of this world as well. I believe You sincerely care about us and the things that my child is afraid of, worried about, and anxious about. You have already defeated and taken care of it. In Jesus’ name we pray, amen.
5. So be strong and courageous! Do not be afraid and do not panic before them. For the LORD your God will personally go ahead of you. He will neither fail you nor abandon you. – Deuteronomy 31:6 NLT
Lord, my God, I trust You to personally go ahead of my child. You are not able to fail, and You would never leave her. I choose to be a strong, courageous, godly example for my children. I will not be afraid and will not panic, but instead will trust fully in who You are. Glory to You for all Your faithfulness to me and my kids! Through Christ I pray, amen.
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