Teaching our kids to pray...

When my children were little we would pray together in the car on the way to school. We would sing little songs to help us memorize scripture and talk about how wonderful God is. 

Those memories are precious to me. 

As they became teenagers, I have had to re-adjust my role a bit in their faith life. I have really tried to allow them to grow in their faith without me hovering over them constantly breathing scriptures down their necks. 

Teaching and pointing their hearts to Jesus has looked different from season to season. 

In the current season, with an 18 year old and a 15 year old, I definitely see an independence with their faith blossoming. 

One important thing I try to teach them in this particular season is the experience of prayer. 

My daughter keeps a prayer journal, and she will almost daily write in it. 

This has grown her trust and faith in Jesus. She looks back often to see the Hand of God especially in the really difficult seasons. 

I have tried to encourage them to stay in communication with The Father all day long. The little things, the big things...they are ALL important to Him. 

We tend to think that God is too Great to care about little things....We tend to think He is too Holy to bend down to hear our tiny requests. 

Oh, but He hears us. He cares. In the tiniest of details, He listens. He cares. 

Because he bends down to listen, I will pray as long as I have breath! Psalm 116:2

You keep track of all my sorrows.You have collected all my tears in your bottle.You have recorded each one in your book. Psalm 56:8

As we read the book of Psalms in our bible reading plan, we see David pour his heart out to God. Over and over. All of the burdens, desires, dreams....He shares them with God. 

We can do this too. 

Our children need to know this. They need to know that God is Present with them at all times. He is their greatest Friend. Listener. Comforter. Provider. Protector. 

David is often scared and fearful in the book of Psalms. He runs to God for comfort and consoling. 

He is betrayed by close friends, chased in the wilderness, running from his enemies... and He takes all of his anger to God. 

Our children can do the same. 

One way to help them with this is to ask them each day how we can pray for them. Tell them to be specific. 

This opens the door for them to see the Hand of God in prayer. 

My daughter asked me to pray about something very specific recently. Some may have even thought it was trivial and silly. However, I prayed with her. 

The very same day that prayer was answered. 

Encouraging our kids to pray will deepen their faith. It will grow their dependence and trust in the Lord. 

Friends with older kids--even adult kids--it is NEVER too late to start this. 

Do not let them enemy tell you that it is too late, the enemy is a big fat LIAR. 

Today, begin by asking your kids how you can pray for them. 

Then, mid day, send them a little text or tell them you are still praying. 

By evening, remind them that you are continuing to pray. 

I have never had anyone turn down praying for them. EVER. 

If you do not have children, do the same with nieces, nephews, spouses,  friends, and family. 

Our world is in desperate need of praying Christians. 

We have become so busy and distracted that we have put prayer on the back burner and our children may have as well. 

Start small today. God will do the rest. 

never too late, 

jill