Faith,Homeschooling,Travel & Kids,Worldschooling

Teaching Kids to Pray: Anytime, Anywhere

Praying 3-min

Just as spending time together is important in any relationship, so is spending time with God. One of the best ways that we can introduce our kids to God is through prayer.

Here are some ideas and tips on how we, as Christian parents, can teach our kids to make prayer a part of their lifestyle.

Teaching Kids to Pray: Why?

Praying 2-min

Prayer deepens our child’s relationship with God. But that’s not all. It also:

  • Reminds them to be grateful: As they recall the happy things that happened during the day, they are made aware of each individual blessing they receive. (In this photo, Luke is thanking God for the surprise toys he got on his first roundtrip flight!)
  • Keeps them humble: As they reflect and acknowledge God’s hand in their lives, they slowly develop humility knowing that everything they have is really only by God’s grace.
  • Gives them security: Knowing that they have a God who is sovereign

Model Being Prayerful

Praying 4-min

The best way to teach something to kids is by modelling. How can prayer be a part of their everyday if prayer isn’t a part of your everyday? Teaching kids to pray is more than just telling them to pray; it’s also (and actually more about) showing them how to pray.

We, as parents, can model being prayerful by also improving our own personal prayer life. Prayer is really just a conversation with God, so have conversations with Him throughout the day. Tip: Don’t forget to say those conversations out loud when you’re with your kids! 😉

Remember that consistency is the key. It’s a mistake to think that just because you did it once, that that is enough “modelling.” If you want prayer to come naturally to them, they have to be able to see how naturally it also comes to you.

Kids copy everything that we do, don’t they? Both the good and the bad. So by God’s grace, let’s all strive to be a good example!

Ideas on What to Pray For

Praying 1-min

Remember to encourage them to pray from the heart. In our family, as much as possible, no memorized prayers. And memorized prayers doesn’t even have to mean prayers other people wrote (“Our Father” from the Bible, and others.) There have been times when I would ask Luke to pray before we begin our homeschooling and he finds himself blurting out “Dear God, thank you for the food….oops...” Haha.

We try to ask Luke to say his own prayers. But of course, he’ll need guidance and a few ideas too! Here are some that we taught Luke that you might want to adapt if you are teaching kids to pray:

  • Give thanks for things that happened during the day: Recall all the activities
  • Thank God for people in the house: Especially house helps and drivers, if applicable
  • Show gratitude for the things He has blessed you with: Start with his immediate surroundings. Like if you’re praying before bed, maybe thank God for the bed, his room, his stuffed toys, pajamas, favorite toys, etc.
  • Confess: Remind them to say sorry for the not so good things they did that day. “Sorry, I didn’t wait for my turn while playing with my sister,” and so on.
  • Pray for other people’s concerns: Is someone in the family sick, sad or has a special prayer request? Did they meet anyone today or recently who might need prayers? When we visited an orphanage for Luke’s 3rd birthday, we prayed for the kids that night. I was surprised that for the succeeding nights after, he would always remind me to still pray for the kids at the orphanage! We can intentionally teach kids to be compassionate to other people.
  • Ask for God’s guidance before  an activity: Before going on a trip, visiting the doctor or even before starting on something as simple as painting or a craft.
  • Thank God as you are enjoying an activity: The first photo on this blog shows Luke thanking God for his first ever beach trip! :)
  • If they have understood the gospel (or if you have introduced it to them already), remind them to be grateful for the salvation Jesus has generously given them.

Tips for Parents of Younger Kids:

Praying 5-min

  • Keep the prayers short and simple enough for them to understand.
  • Keep the prayers personal and relatable to them.
  • Encourage them to close their eyes. Of course, closing of eyes isn’t necessary in prayer but would help them concentrate and keep their wandering eyes from getting distracted.
  • Set designated times for prayer (before meals, before bedtime) to get them into the habit of praying regularly BUT don’t be limited by them. Teach kids that they can actually pray to God anytime, anywhere, whatever they are doing and wherever they are in the world.
  • It helps to regularly end prayers with “In Jesus’ name, we pray…” to reiterate the fact that the God we are praying to is Jesus. :)

Start children off on the way they should go, and even when they are old they will not turn from it.” (Proverbs 22:6)

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63 Comments

  • Reply
    Jennifer
    February 7, 2018 at 3:55 am

    This is so good! Luke is adorable!

    • Reply
      Sheena Sy Gonzales
      February 7, 2018 at 10:14 pm

      Hi Jennifer thank you! <3

  • Reply
    Michaela Manaig
    February 7, 2018 at 12:58 pm

    It has been quite some time na po since I last read some of your blogs, and as expected I am blessed and encouraged. Thank you for sharing this, it is really really nice, Luke is truly blessed to have parents like you. As I was reading it reminded me of my own prayer life as well. May God bless you always Ms. Sheena

    • Reply
      Sheena Sy Gonzales
      February 7, 2018 at 4:20 pm

      Hi Michaela, thank you so much for leaving a message. It really reminds me to always watch my prayer life as well. Thank you again and God bless.

  • Reply
    Caitlin | Beauty & Colour
    February 7, 2018 at 2:22 pm

    What an awesome message and a great thing to teach them!

    • Reply
      Sheena Sy Gonzales
      February 7, 2018 at 4:19 pm

      Thank you Caitlin!

  • Reply
    Analyn Cue
    February 7, 2018 at 4:34 pm

    I really appreciate this article!

    • Reply
      Sheena Sy Gonzales
      February 7, 2018 at 9:25 pm

      Thanks Analyn!!

  • Reply
    Violette
    February 7, 2018 at 6:06 pm

    This is such a beautiful post and message! Thank you for sharing!

    • Reply
      Sheena Sy Gonzales
      February 7, 2018 at 10:14 pm

      Thanks Violette!

  • Reply
    Marie roque
    February 7, 2018 at 7:25 pm

    Very well said sheens !!! :) i love the article :) really hope more people can read thus article and learn from it :)

    • Reply
      Sheena Sy Gonzales
      February 7, 2018 at 9:25 pm

      Hi Marie, thanks so much, means a lot coming from you! <3

  • Reply
    Simone
    February 7, 2018 at 8:23 pm

    This is such an inspirational post! Love how you teach the kids with your amazing tips.

    • Reply
      Sheena Sy Gonzales
      February 7, 2018 at 9:25 pm

      Thank you Simone. :)

  • Reply
    Rach
    February 7, 2018 at 10:57 pm

    I love that you are teaching your kids about the power of praying!

    • Reply
      Sheena Sy Gonzales
      February 8, 2018 at 9:46 am

      Hi Rach, yes it’s really something I wish to pass on to them! :)

  • Reply
    Lauren
    February 8, 2018 at 12:16 am

    Love this – it is such a sweet and inspiring post!

    • Reply
      Sheena Sy Gonzales
      February 8, 2018 at 9:46 am

      Thank you Lauren, glad you found it inspiring!

  • Reply
    Elegant Duchess
    February 8, 2018 at 4:58 am

    This is the way, my parent were exactly like you two xx

    • Reply
      Sheena Sy Gonzales
      February 8, 2018 at 9:45 am

      You are blessed to have prayerful parents! Hope that has made a positive impact on you and your siblings! :)

  • Reply
    Kat
    February 8, 2018 at 1:14 pm

    Thanks for sharing. It was very sweet of you.

  • Reply
    monica
    February 8, 2018 at 5:54 pm

    wow, thanks for sharing!!
    xx
    Mónica Sors

  • Reply
    Phoebe
    February 8, 2018 at 9:02 pm

    I am doing this to my little girl! Thanks for additional tips sis! :)

    • Reply
      Sheena Sy Gonzales
      February 8, 2018 at 9:42 pm

      Aww you’re welcome Phoebe!! Glad to have helped!

  • Reply
    An
    February 9, 2018 at 1:27 am

    This is so sweet!! xx

  • Reply
    Andrea
    February 9, 2018 at 2:31 am

    The pictures are so lovely!! Thanks for sharing these tips!

  • Reply
    Yara Mel
    February 9, 2018 at 2:42 am

    The cutest post! You guys are doing a great job, spirituality is so essential :)

    • Reply
      Sheena Sy Gonzales
      February 9, 2018 at 8:34 am

      Thanks for the encouragement Yara Mel! :)

  • Reply
    Sarah
    February 9, 2018 at 3:57 am

    Hello,

    Amazing post !

    Sarah

  • Reply
    Miki
    February 9, 2018 at 6:24 am

    This is so sweet and such a great way to teach a young child.

    • Reply
      Sheena Sy Gonzales
      February 9, 2018 at 8:34 am

      Thanks Miki!

  • Reply
    Kim
    February 9, 2018 at 7:49 am

    Never thought to teach this to my kids (well I don’t have any yet haha) but this sounds like a nice idea!

    • Reply
      Sheena Sy Gonzales
      February 9, 2018 at 8:33 am

      When the time comes!! 😉

  • Reply
    Daria
    February 9, 2018 at 8:15 pm

    Such a lovely and great post! I enjoyed reading it so much!

    Have a nice weekend!

    Daria

  • Reply
    Vanessa
    February 10, 2018 at 3:37 am

    LOVE LOVE LOVE this post! Teaching your little ones to PRAY is so important indeed! We do the same here – it’s all about being grateful and simply giving thanks to our heavenly father!

    • Reply
      Sheena Sy Gonzales
      February 10, 2018 at 7:53 am

      Yes!! Amen to that! Thanks for sharing Vanessa!

  • Reply
    Nancy
    February 10, 2018 at 12:50 pm

    It is respectable that you’re teaching Luke to be spiritual and pray! Good parenting skills go a long way :). I like that Luke is responsive and can pray after you guys, especially when he is reflecting on the good and giving thanks. These are really insightful tips. Thanks for sharing, Sheena :).

    • Reply
      Sheena Sy Gonzales
      February 10, 2018 at 8:04 pm

      Thanks Nancy, we try our best, but it’s all by God’s grace. :) Thanks for reading!

  • Reply
    Gingi
    February 11, 2018 at 12:05 am

    What an amazing article! My husband and I taught our daughters to pray at a VERY young age, and we always get comments on how thoughtful and prayerful our kiddos are… you really can teach them young!

    • Reply
      Sheena Sy Gonzales
      February 12, 2018 at 9:28 pm

      Hi Gingi! That’s very encouraging! Thanks for sharing!! ??

  • Reply
    Susie | Mile High Dreamers
    February 11, 2018 at 4:21 am

    I love this post so much. These are great tips and honestly they apply to all ages. Praying can be a hard habit to keep up, and a lot of the times we forget that our relationship with God is like any relationship and needs to be nurtured and focused on. It doesn’t just happen! Reminding our kiddos to reflect on gratitude and the wellbeing of others is such an amazing way to make this world a little better.
    Thank you for this!

    • Reply
      Sheena Sy Gonzales
      February 13, 2018 at 9:06 am

      Yes, amen to that! We really need to be intentional in cultivating our relationship with God AND teaching our kids to do the same. Thanks for reading Susie! :)

  • Reply
    Cris
    February 11, 2018 at 2:53 pm

    How beautiful. So important. Gorgeous post. xoxo Cris

  • Reply
    Lovely
    February 12, 2018 at 9:04 pm

    Aww your son is so adorable, always a great thing to see parents teaching their kids life lessons!
    xoxo
    Lovely

    • Reply
      Sheena Sy Gonzales
      February 13, 2018 at 9:05 am

      Thanks Lovely, appreciate it

  • Reply
    Ankita
    February 13, 2018 at 7:26 am

    This is so humbling, I am so glad to see that. I never thought of this but I will definitely do this when I have kids. And Luke is so adorable :)
    Hope you’re having a lovely Valentine’s week <3

    • Reply
      Sheena Sy Gonzales
      February 13, 2018 at 9:05 am

      Thanks Ankita! Same to you!

  • Reply
    Nerizza Vicerra
    January 7, 2019 at 8:13 pm

    The power of prayer is what I want my daughter to always remember until she grows old. Thank you for the tips. Very inspiring!

    • Reply
      Sheena Sy Gonzales
      January 7, 2019 at 11:22 pm

      Amen to that!

  • Reply
    Jennylyn Prado
    January 7, 2019 at 8:38 pm

    As a mother we are the role model of our siblings. Yeah, that’s right. So Lets Pray Anywhere because God is Everywhere ??

    -mattyen17.inc

  • Reply
    Maria Jesselyn Lucido
    January 7, 2019 at 10:56 pm

    Hi Sheena! Every article you write makes people inspired and motivated to continue their lives and surrender it to the Lord our God. Thanks!

    • Reply
      Sheena Sy Gonzales
      January 7, 2019 at 11:28 pm

      Thank you for this encouragement. :)

  • Reply
    Tin
    January 8, 2019 at 3:49 pm

    I love this article! A must read for every parent. We are also teaching our little boy a simple gesture of praying just to let him know that God is everywhere.

    • Reply
      Sheena Sy Gonzales
      January 8, 2019 at 11:34 pm

      Thanks Tin glad you think this was helpful!

  • Reply
    Mj
    January 8, 2019 at 5:30 pm

    Teaching kids to pray is a great foundation of their faith as they grow.

    You got the good stuff in this article.

    • Reply
      Sheena Sy Gonzales
      January 8, 2019 at 11:34 pm

      I believe the same! Thanks Mj!

  • Reply
    Lency Arabelle Cruz
    January 21, 2019 at 2:25 am

    Growing up, this is what i fear, that my future kids wouldn’t grow up God-fearing because I raised them wrong. You inspire me with your faith. I hope I could be even half the woman and mom that you are in the future.

    • Reply
      Sheena Sy Gonzales
      January 21, 2019 at 3:02 pm

      Nothing is impossible through Christ! I am deeply flawed and I make mistakes daily especially with my kids but God’s grace covers all.

  • Reply
    Elizabeth
    March 18, 2019 at 4:51 pm

    I love this article ?

  • Reply
    Pam Amarillo
    March 19, 2019 at 5:35 pm

    I love this :) Thank you for sharing this important truth and encouraging other parents. Prayer is indeed powerful.

  • Reply
    Janmarie Miguel
    March 20, 2019 at 3:53 pm

    Kuddos to you Ms. Sheena and to your husband. We’ll definitely do this to our kid.

  • Reply
    Crizavill Briones
    March 20, 2019 at 5:06 pm

    This is inspiring!? We Parents are the model of our child/ children. And it is so important to teach them how to pray, teach them the word of God and teach them who really God is. It is much important for us as parents to seek God everyday especially seeking wisdom on how to raise our children in His ways. When the word of God dwells in our Hearts. It dwells in our Home. Praying everyday that me and my husband will be the parents that God wants us to be. Thank you for this inspiring blog. God bless you and your family always. To God be the glory!????

    • Reply
      Sheena Sy Gonzales
      March 21, 2019 at 4:20 pm

      Thank you for the kind words Crizavill! God bless you and your family!

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