10 Reasons – Why You Should Teach Your Kids to Pray

July 5, 2020July 6, 2020

As we start this intentional habit of teaching our children to pray this month, we thought of helping you see the numerous reasons why you should teach your children to pray. As a parent, we are sure you have prayed for your children countless times before now, whether it was at bedtime, on their way to school or during a hospital visit you have stopped to pray or whispered silently to Him. Now, it’s time to help and encourage your children to pray by themselves. Whether they are 2 years old or 8 years old, it’s never too early or too late to teach them to pray. Below are ten reasons why you should teach your children to pray:

1. A GRATEFUL HEART

Thank you is one of the first few words we teach our children. We teach them to say thank you when we help them tie their shoelaces, or when we give them a snack or help them with something. Shouldn’t we teach them to say thank you to God for life, family, friends, food and everything else? When our children pause and pray, they develop a grateful attitude that helps them remember how good God has been to them and those around them. Asking them to tell God the things they are thankful for is the easiest way to prompt them to pray every day. (Psalm 107:1, Psalm 100:4).

2. ENCOURAGES DEPENDENCE

Prayer teaches them to think beyond Mummy and Daddy, our children need to know that although we are always there and we strive to provide and give them what they need, it ultimately comes from God. God should be their ultimate source of dependence. They need to learn to start praying about the things they need and the things they are going through. It’s okay for them to see us through the lens of superheroes like Superman or Wonder-woman but most importantly we want them to see that God is bigger and stronger and mightier than we will ever be. (Proverbs 3:5-6, Psalm 147:5).

3. FOSTERS RELATIONSHIP

We all desire for our children to know God. One way we can achieve this is by letting them see how important prayer is. Like we do in most relationships, we talk and spend time with our friends so we can get to know them. The same model applies when our children are learning to grow and know God. Spending time in prayer alone or as a family will foster their relationship with God. It will help them see God as a friend they can relate to. (John 17:1-3).

4. PRAYER CHANGES THEM

I have heard our son pray sometimes asking God to help him and his sister play nicely and not fight and it always gladdens my heart, it shows that God is at work in him and he can see that fighting does not glorify or please God. When children pray for themselves, it helps them to see the sin in their hearts and their need for a Savior. When our children pray we can be sure that God is working in them and we can use those moments to talk to them about some of the things they are praying or about or struggling with. (Proverbs 20:9, Isaiah 59:2).

5. SINNERS IN NEED OF A SAVIOR

We all love our cute and wonderful children but we need to remember they are in need of a Savior. They were all born sinners no matter how cute they are. Prayer exposes their sinful nature and gives them a chance to repent and talk to God. They need to know where and who to turn to when they need help to live a life that pleases God and ultimately turn to Him. They need to know that God loves them deeply and He wants to forgive them every time they sin. Sin separates them from God but prayer connects them back to Him. (Romans 3:23, 1 John 1:9).

6. COMPASSION

Imagine if all your child prayed about was just his needs and that of your family? How would that feel? There are one million and more people our children can pray for. From friends to neighbors, to teachers, to the poor and needy, the sick, the government etc. When we teach them to pray they learn to be other-centred instead of been self-centered. They move from thinking that life is all about them to seeing the needs around them and in the world at large. They become compassionate and loving just like Jesus. (Psalm 116:5, Colossians 3:12).

7. PRAYER AS A POWERFUL TOOL

I remember a time when I was really young and my siblings and I were on vacation at our cousin’s place. My brother and sister decided to play a scary prank on us. My brother wrapped himself up in a black cloth and painted his face with some white powder. It was one of the scariest sights. Thinking of it now makes me laugh but it wasn’t funny back then. I can still remember my response when I saw my brother coming down that corridor, as scared as we all were, all I could shout was JESUS, I actually spelt the name out J-E-S-U-S! I had learnt there is power in His name and I used it. Letting our children pray in the name of Jesus shows them there is amazing power in His name. (Philippians 2:10).

8. FAITH-FILLED CHILDREN

Our prayers don’t always get answered and I’m sure our children will experience this too. But that doesn’t stop us from praying and it shouldn’t stop our children too. We want our children to grow up knowing that God is sovereign, and He has their best interests at heart. When their prayers are answered they are encouraged to ask again and again. When it is not, they can still rely on His faithfulness because they know He cares. (Psalm 100:5).

9. A FOREVER FRIEND

God is reliable, He can be counted on, He is always there. Can you remember all the friends you have had since childhood? Can you remember who and who was in your class at age 7? Most likely not. There were some friends you probably thought would be your best friends for life but that didn’t happen. Jesus is a friend that sticks closer than a brother. He never leaves or forsakes us, our children can hold on to this as they pray to God, knowing they don’t have to worry if He will be there to hear them tomorrow. (Psalm 48:14).

10. A RESTING PLACE

As our children grow, they will change and have moments where they just want to be by themselves. They will have tantrums, face peer pressure, feel unloved sometimes by us and others, act up more often than we can remember. In those moments, they will need someone to talk to and express their emotions. Teaching them to talk to God now about how they are feeling will pay off in the days, months and years to come. They can be rest assured that God gives rest and He can be their resting place from the seemingly difficult situations of life. (Matthew 11:28-30, Psalm 23).