How do I help my child learn to pray?

Dear Betsy,

How do I help my 3 year-old daughter to pray? She often doesn’t want to pray. How do I foster sensitivity in her spirit towards God?
-- Praying Mom

Dear Praying

There is something so sweet about a child’s prayer. They pray from the heart until often (sadly) they learn to rush or pray by rote. Rather than forcing the issue with her, use everyday moments to teach her the spiritual discipline of communicating with her Heavenly Father. Allow her to see you praying, reading, singing, so that it becomes a natural part of life for her.

Pray with her before meals, before bed, and other times throughout the day as needs or concerns arise or simply to offer praise or thanksgiving to God. (…pray without ceasing – I Thessalonians 5:17)

More than praying when we want them to, we train them to pray when they need to communicate with their Heavenly Father about anything. Help her to see all the ways God answers our prayers and how He is always near to us. Rejoice in the Lord always; again I will say, rejoice! Let your gentle spirit be known to all men. The Lord is near. Be anxious for nothing, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God. And the peace of God, which surpasses all comprehension, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus. –Philippians 4:4-7

Teach her that God guides us and helps us through prayer and that we can pray for others too. Be patient and teach her to have an attitude of caring about other people and she will begin to pray on her own. Help her see the connection between what we ask and God’s answers so that her prayers are natural responses from a grateful heart.

Train up a child in the way he should go, 
Even when he is old he will not depart from it. Proverbs 22:6

Warmly,


Please Note: This counsel is given from a distinctively biblical worldview, and therefore, is being offered with the assumption that the reader has placed him or herself under the authority of Scripture. Also, please remember that these answers are designed to give general parenting advice and are not intended to give specific counsel to specific situations. If you have extenuating circumstances, please seek the professional advice of your pastor, physician, or counselor.