Teach Them to Pray

“Ask, and it will be given to you; seek, and you will find; knock, and it will be opened to you. For everyone who asks receives, and he who seeks finds, and to him who knocks it will be opened. Or what man is there among you who, when his son asks for a loaf, will give him a stone? Or if he asks for a fish, he will not give him a snake, will he? If you then, being evil, know how to give good gifts to your children, how much more will your Father who is in heaven give what is good to those who ask Him!” Matthew 7:7-11

Since children learn by example more than by what we say, consider this question carefully: “What kind of prayer life and devotional life will your children learn from your example?” For some, this question actually hurts. Others recognize that the absence of such an example is pointing to a lack in their own lives. Some see their pattern being followed by their child. Whatever your response, we must teach our children the value of prayer - the scriptural truths and promises surrounding prayer - and we must allow them the privilege of seeing answers to our prayers - building their faith and trust in God.

You can begin this exercise by sharing with your child some of your past experiences of answered prayer. If you have none, start today to pray in faith for God’s provision for the point of need closest to your heart. There’s nothing like answered prayer to quiet the skeptical mind. Read the great New Testament teachings of Christ on prayer. Your faith will grow, and your kids will play on your team, knowing that you serve a prayer-answering God.

Train your kids to pray about their decisions, standards, values, and behavior.