Archive for category Children Pray

Teaching A Child To Pray by Song of Joy

“LORD, teach us to pray” Luke 11:1

Empowering children to pray is teaching them to S.T.O.P. (Sing-Talk-Obey-Praise), and communicating with God through Jesus Christ by the aid of the Holy Spirit.

Some persons may question why teach children to pray as over time as they grow, praying will become natural.  Why chance years of waiting when they can receive tools for training at an early age on how to have, not an ordinary Christian life, but one of power because of prayer. God told parents to train up a child and prayer is  an area that is included in training them because it affects a child’s spiritual growth.   As children increase in wisdom and stature, and in favor with God and man, they can enjoy as a child many of His wonderful promises (Luke 2:52).  How sweet it is to grow up without having an ungodly fear about prayer.

Every parent’s dream is for their child to aim higher and reach areas they themselves have not been able to accomplish or become successful in.  Teaching a child to S.T.O.P. while communicating with God are some keys that will open some powerful doors to pray as they travel the pathway of life.

SING: Coming before his presence, making a joyful unto the LORD, making a loud noise, and rejoicing, and singing praise ring through the Psalms.  Psalms 100:2; 98:4

 

TALK: Diligently talk (about the goodness of God – commandments) when thou sittest in thine house, and when thou walkest by the way, and when thou liest down, and when thou risest up.  Deuteronomy 6:7

 

OBEDIENT: Train up a child (teach them to be obedient) in the way he/she should go: and when he is older, he will not depart from it.”  Proverbs 22:6

 

PRAISE: …. Praising and giving thanks unto the LORD; because He is good, for His mercy endureth forever.  Ezra 3:11

 

Listed below are a few techniques that will help you to encourage your child to pray.

– Find a picture and have the child thank God for each thing they see in the picture, e.g., ( Thank you LORD for the ___________,) ending it by saying, “In the name of  Jesus, Amen.”

 

– Write a two-line prayer and post it on your refrigerator.  Read it to your child each day for two weeks and then write another one and post it next to Prayer #1.  (If the child can read, let him/her read it also).    You will notice that the child will learn the prayer by heart .

 

– Teach the model prayer by praying each verse, e.g., “Our Father who art in heaven, thank you for your holiness.  In Jesus name, Amen.”

 

–  Have the child to thank the LORD not only for the main meals, but also for snacks.

 

– Pray out loud each day the Word of God and let your child be in ear shot.

 

                                                                      Enjoy Praying!

Song of Joy (Carol. T. Turnbough. )

May the grace of God in you be even stronger in your prayer life and the prayer life of your child. May your child increase in his/her prayer life. May your family pray together without ceasing.  In the name of Jesus, Amen.

Carol Turnbough aka “Song of Joy” – Song of Joy teaches and ministers to children and youth. She loves to praise God with her whole heart. She writes songs and skits to the glory of God and serves on the Music Ministry of Messiah Baptist Church in Detroit, MI. She also serves on the Christian Education Administrative Team and teaches Sunday School. Equipped with God’s love, grace and mercy,   God has blessed her with the spiritual gifts of teaching, helps, songs and administration.  She exclaims, “ I have a passion for praising and singing to God with all my heart and sharing with children about the love and goodness of God

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Walk and Pray With Kids-Tips and Tools

Walk and Pray with Your Kids-Tips and Tools

The summertime is a great opportunity for you to teach your children to pray in a more active way by going outside on family prayer walks through your neighborhood. Here are a few tips to guide your children.
1. Be clear about the goal. This is the time to teach your children how to pray in an engaging way. Secondary benefits such as family conversation can result. The goal of prayer walking is to teach your child to pray.
2. Have a realistic expectation of your children taking into account their age, attention span and willingness to pray out loud.

As you prayer walk together allow the wonders of God’s creation to lead you to praise and thank Him.
a. Ask your children, “What sounds do you hear? If they hear birds singing, praise God for the beauty of birds and their ability to sing.
b. If your child notices a pretty flower say, “Let’s thank God for making flowers”.

Pay attention to the people you see and offer simple prayers for neighbors as you walk past their homes.
a. Jointly ask God to bring your child’s friend to know Jesus.
b. Invite your children to pray specifically and by name:”Please heal Mrs. Brown from cancer”.
c.Ask the Holy Spirit to show your family how to pray for a neighborhood-then pray in faith!

When you prayer walk together, your children will learn to pray by hearing you pray. Keep it fun and praise God for any growth you witness.

(Pointers  from Jeff Mendoza a prayer coordinator for a global international team)

 

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