Prayers for Children

QUESTION: Can you give me several prayers for children?

ANSWER:

Parents/teachers, may this be a valuable resource to you in developing prayers for children, as well as teaching them how to pray…

Mark 10:13-14 says, “People were bringing little children to Jesus to have him touch them, but the disciples rebuked them. When Jesus saw this, he was indignant. He said to them, “Let the little children come to me, and do not hinder them, for the kingdom of God belongs to such as these.”

Jesus clearly made it understood to His disciples that no one was to hinder children in seeking Him, or being brought to Him! He values our little ones! He loves our little ones. He desires to communicate with children, and in my opinion, truly enjoys their simplistic faith! No deep theology to boggle the mind, they just accept that He is there and that He is God! Oh, that we as adults would sometimes do the same.

Consider these tips for teaching children how to pray:

• Prayer is just like talking to your mom and dad, except you’re talking to God, our Heavenly Father.
• God hears your every prayer, and even though you can’t physically see Him, He’s in Heaven listening!
• Pray for others, like “Uncle Jack who is sick.”
• God likes to hear from you a lot. We can pray at other times during the day as well as at bedtime.
• Thank God for what He has given you -- your home, your family, your “stuff.”
• Tell God about the things that make you scared or worried.
• Tell God when you are angry! He’ll help you know what to do.
• Ask God how He wants you to treat others. . .like the bully at school.
• Ask God to forgive you of doing wrong to other people or their things. He’s a God of “second chances”!
• Ask God how you can show His love to other kids or adults.

Not all of these methods need to be taught in one prayer session! That would be too overwhelming at any age. Instead, simply use the right opportunity to present one of these tips.

For example, if you have a child who is particularly concerned about a parent leaving on a business trip, use tip number 6. If your child has a friend who is sad because his parents are getting a divorce, use tip number 3. Ample opportunities will arise to teach your children about prayer. My first and foremost tip would be to teach them by example. Let them see you pray, and hear you pray. That itself will teach them volumes!

Prayers for children need to be simple and to the point. Below are some examples you can adapt to your own specific situations:

“Dear God, thank you for my family, my home, and my pets. Some kids don’t’ have these things. Help me know how I can share with someone. And help me know how to show them you love them. Amen.”

“God, thank you for listening to me right now. I’m scared for my friend Joey. He’s moving, and he’s scared and doesn’t want to go. Help him find new friends and be happy again. Let him know you are there. Amen.

“God, I’m really, really mad at my sister right now! She just broke my favorite CD! Show me what to do. Amen.

“God, today I made a mistake. I did something I shouldn’t have. Please forgive me and help me not to do that again. Amen.

For very young children, consider using poem prayers like these:

Help me love, help me care, help me smile, help me share.
Help me give, help me grow, help me laugh, help me know.
©L.Cain7/06

Dear God above, you show me love, food you give, helps me live.
Sun so bright, my daily light, afternoon fun, in the sun.
To church we go, hearts will grow, friends to play, wonderful day.
Nice warm bed, to rest my head, time for rest, God is best.
©L.Cain 7/06

Help me Jesus
Know Your ways
Through the night
Through the days
Give me love
To show a friend
You’re always there
You never end.
©L.Cain 7/06

Thank you for mommy
Thank you for dad
Thank you for Jesus
Who makes me glad
Thank you for rain
And for sunshine above
But I thank you most
For your wonderful love.
©L.Cain 7/06

The hurting and hungry children of the world need our prayers and support. If you are investigating charities for children, we recommend the sponsorship programs at Compassion International.