Are you wondering how to nurture your child’s spiritual growth and emotional well-being? Prayers remain invaluable in a child’s life.
It provides comfort and guidance and helps them develop a strong relationship with God.
Whether you are a new parent or have young ones in your care, teaching children to pray early is essential and rewarding.
First, prayers instill security in their little hearts. This is because they know God is always there to listen and care for them.
Also, praying with children nurtures a deep bond between them and God, their Creator, often resulting in a lifelong relationship filled with love and trust.
More so, prayers positively impact a child’s spiritual growth. They learn about gratitude, forgiveness, and compassion when they pray.
When children pray, they also experience profound joy and peace in God’s presence, which nurtures their faith and guides them through life’s many challenges.
These are simple but highly effective prayers for little children, tailored to their understanding and needs. Each prayer is a beautiful opportunity to strengthen your child’s faith and bless his (or her) journey with God’s love.
How do you Teach Children to Pray?
- Lead by Example:
Children learn by observing, so make sure to model prayer in your own life.
Let them see you pray regularly and hear you talk about the importance of prayer in your relationship with God.
- Keep It Simple:
Start with simple and short prayers that are easy for children to understand and remember. Use language and concepts that are age-appropriate.
- Make It Personal:
Encourage children to pray about things that are meaningful to them. Help them express their feelings, thoughts, and desires to God in their own words.
- Use Visual Aids:
Younger children may benefit from visual aids like pictures or illustrations that represent prayer. For example, you can create a prayer jar with written prayer prompts or use a prayer coloring book.
- Teach the Lord’s Prayer:
The Lord’s Prayer (Matthew 6:9-13) is a great foundation for teaching children about prayer. Break down the prayer into simple parts and explain the meaning of each section.
- Create a Prayer Routine:
Establish a prayer routine with specific times for prayer, such as before meals, at bedtime, or in the morning. Consistency will help children develop a habit of prayer.
- Encourage Thankfulness:
Teach children to start their prayers with thanksgiving. Help them recognize and appreciate the blessings in their lives.
- Teach About God’s Love:
Emphasize that prayer is not just about asking for things but also about communicating with a loving and caring God.
Assure them that God listens to their prayers and wants to have a personal relationship with them.
- Be Patient:
Children may not grasp the concept of prayer immediately, and that’s okay. Be patient and supportive as they learn and grow in their understanding of prayer.
- Incorporate Prayer into Daily Life:
Encourage children to pray not only during designated prayer times but also throughout the day. Teach them that they can talk to God anytime and anywhere.
- Celebrate Answered Prayers:
When prayers are answered, celebrate and give thanks together. This reinforces the idea that God hears and responds to their prayers.
- Address Their Concerns:
Children may have questions or concerns about prayer. Take the time to listen to them and address their doubts or uncertainties with love and understanding.
Remember that teaching children to pray is a process that requires patience, love, and consistency. As they grow in their faith, their prayer life will also deepen and evolve.
Note: The Scriptures accompanying each prayer are culled from the International Children’s Bible (ICB).
Here Are 15 Prayers for Little Children.
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Prayer of Protection.
Psalm 91:4 – He will cover you with his feathers. Under his wings, you can find safety. His truth will be your shield and armor.
Dear God, thank you for keeping me safe every day. Please surround me with your loving angels, so I can play and learn without fear.
Protect me also from the monsters under my bed and scary shadows on the wall. You are my shield, as the Bible says. So, I trust you to protect my family and to always keep me safe and cozy in your loving arms.
This I pray in Jesus’ name. Amen.
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Prayer of Gratitude.
Psalm 107:1 – Give thanks to the Lord because he is good. His faithful love continues forever.
Thank you, dear Jesus, for my family, friends, all the good things I have, and toys to play with. Thank you also for the yummy food and warm hugs.
I am grateful for all your many gifts. Just like your word tells me in Psalm 107:1 to give you thanks, I want to say thank you and let you know also that I love you, dear God.
In Jesus’ name. Amen.
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Prayer for Wisdom and Understanding.
Proverbs 2:6 – The Lord gives wisdom. Knowledge and understanding come from his mouth.
Dear God, please help me make good choices. The Bible says you will give me wisdom if I ask.
So, I pray that you give me wisdom like King Solomon, who was super smart. Help me to learn and understand new things every day.
Thank you, Lord, because I know you will make me very smart.
In Jesus’ Mighty Name. Amen.
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Prayer of Forgiveness.
Matthew 6:14 – Yes, if you forgive others for the wrongs they do to you, then your Father in heaven will also forgive your wrongs.
Dear Lord, I’m sorry when I do the wrong things. Please forgive me, like you forgave David in the Bible.
Jesus taught us to forgive, just like you always forgive us. I really do want to forgive others, too, like Jesus said we should, but sometimes I can’t. So, I pray you help me.
Thank you for your love and forgiveness. In Jesus’ name, I pray. Amen.
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Prayer for Compassion.
1 John 3:18 – My children, our love should not be only words and talk. No, our love must be real. We must show our love by the things we do.
Loving God, thank you for caring about everyone. I pray you to help me to be kind and caring to others.
Also, show me how to help those who are sad or hurt. Let my prayers comfort them. I want to be a good friend, like the one in 1 John 3:18.
Thank you, dear Jesus, for teaching me how to love. May my prayers make the world a better place.
In Jesus’ name, I pray. Amen.
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Prayer for Strength.
Psalm 28:7 – The Lord gives me strength. He is like a shield that keeps me safe. My heart trusts in him, and I receive help. My heart is filled with joy. I will sing and thank him with my song.
Mighty God, when I’m scared or tired, give me strength. You are my superhero, as the Bible says that you will keep me safe.
I know you are with me always, making me strong even when I’m scared.
Thank you, dear God, for hearing me.
In Jesus’ name, I pray. Amen.
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Prayer for Courage.
Joshua 1:9 – Remember that I commanded you to be strong and brave. So don’t be afraid. The Lord, your God, will be with you everywhere you go.
Father God, please help me to be brave like Daniel in the lion’s den.
Also, give me courage when I’m scared like you gave David to face Goliath bravely. When I’m afraid, let me remember that you are always here with me, just like Joshua 1:9 says.
Thank you for always giving me courage when I’m afraid.
In Jesus’ name, I pray. Amen.
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Prayer for Peace.
Mark 4:39 – Jesus stood up and gave a command to the wind and the water. He said, ‘Quiet! Be still!’ Then the wind stopped, and the lake became calm.
God, calm my heart when I’m worried or sad.
Give me peace, like you gave the sea when you told it to be still, and the wind stopped and became calm. Help me also to always be calm, so I can feel your love in my heart.
In Jesus’ Mighty Name. Amen.
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Prayer for Joy.
Psalm 16:11 – You make known to me the path of life; you will fill me with joy in your presence, with eternal pleasures at your right hand.
Today, I want to say thank you, dear God, for making me happy.
Your presence fills my heart with joy, so I will always find joy in worship, playing, and everything I do. I love you, Lord; help me always remember to thank you.
In Jesus’ name. Amen.
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Prayer for Love.
1 John 4:7 – Dear friends, we should love each other because love comes from God. Everyone who loves has become God’s child. And so everyone who loves knows God.
Holy God, please help me love others just like you. Your love is big and never-ending, and I pray that you fill me with your love, too, so I can love my family, friends, and everyone around me.
Thank you for your amazing love, a gift from you that makes us love one another.
In Jesus’ name, I pray. Amen.
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Prayer for Family.
Ephesians 4:2 – Always be humble and gentle. Be patient and accept each other with love.
Dear Lord Jesus, thank you for giving me a loving family. Please keep us together and bless us with love and happiness.
I pray you also help us to always pray together and love one another as you told us. Thank you for giving us special times together and being kind to us.
This I pray in Jesus’s name. Amen.
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Prayer for Teachers and Friends.
Proverbs 17:17 – A friend loves you all the time, but a brother was born to help in times of trouble.
Dear Jesus, thank you for my wonderful teachers and friends. Thank you because they are people who care for me.
Please bless them, guide them always, and keep them safe. Help us learn and play together in harmony and make me a good friend like you are. Amen!
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Prayer for the World.
Matthew 5:44 – But I tell you, love your enemies. Pray for those who treat you badly.
Father God, I pray you to make the whole world peaceful and happy. Let there be no more sadness or fighting.
Please help people in need, let them know you, and experience your love. Lord, I want to make the world a better place with my prayers, so help me always pray for everyone, as Jesus told us in the Bible.
Thank you for hearing my prayers and for caring for every one of us living in this world.
In Jesus’ name, I pray. Amen.
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Prayer of Trust and Surrender.
Jeremiah 29:11 – I say this because I know the plans that I have for you.” This message is from the Lord. “
I have good plans for you; I don’t plan to hurt you; I plan to give you hope and a good future.
Dear God, I trust your plans for me. Even when I don’t understand, help me not to worry but to give all my fears to you.
I surrender to you and give my worries to you because I know you will take care of me. Thank you for being with me always.
In the name of Jesus, I pray. Amen.
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Prayer of Praise and Worship.
Psalm 150:6 – Everything that breathes should praise the Lord. Praise the Lord!
Dear God, you are awesome! Thank you, God, for being my heavenly Father. I praise you for your love and all the amazing things you created.
I also want to worship you with all my heart, just like the Bible tells us to. Help me grow closer to you every day. Thank you for being my wonderful God. Amen.
25 Bible Verses for Children.
Sure, here are some Bible verses that are often suitable for children:
- Psalm 136:1
“Give thanks to the Lord, for he is good. His love endures forever.”
- Matthew 19:14
“Jesus said, ‘Let the little children come to me, and do not hinder them, for the kingdom of heaven belongs to such as these.'”
- Proverbs 22:6
“Start children off on the way they should go, and even when they are old, they will not turn from it.”
- Psalm 127:3
“Children are a heritage from the Lord, offspring a reward from him.”
- Ephesians 6:1
“Children, obey your parents in the Lord, for this is right.”
- Deuteronomy 6:6-7
“These commandments that I give you today are to be on your hearts. Impress them on your children. Talk about them when you sit at home and when you walk along the road, when you lie down and when you get up.”
- Matthew 5:16
“In the same way, let your light shine before others, that they may see your good deeds and glorify your Father in heaven.”
- 1 John 3:18
“Dear children, let us not love with words or speech but with actions and in truth.”
- Colossians 3:20
“Children, obey your parents in everything, for this pleases the Lord.”
- Psalm 139:14
“I praise you because I am fearfully and wonderfully made; your works are wonderful, I know that full well.”
- Proverbs 3:5-6
“Trust in the Lord with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding; in all your ways submit to him, and he will make your paths straight.”
- Philippians 4:13
“I can do all this through him who gives me strength.”
- Joshua 1:9
“Have I not commanded you? Be strong and courageous. Do not be afraid; do not be discouraged, for the Lord your God will be with you wherever you go.”
- Psalm 34:14
“Turn from evil and do good; seek peace and pursue it.”
- Proverbs 1:7
“The fear of the Lord is the beginning of knowledge, but fools despise wisdom and instruction.”
- Psalm 103:13
“As a father has compassion on his children, so the Lord has compassion on those who fear him.”
- 1 Timothy 4:12
“Don’t let anyone look down on you because you are young, but set an example for the believers in speech, in conduct, in love, in faith and in purity.”
- Isaiah 41:10
“So do not fear, for I am with you; do not be dismayed, for I am your God. I will strengthen you and help you; I will uphold you with my righteous right hand.”
- Colossians 3:23
“Whatever you do, work at it with all your heart, as working for the Lord, not for human masters.”
- Psalm 23:1
“The Lord is my shepherd, I lack nothing.”
- 1 John 4:19
“We love because he first loved us.”
- Matthew 6:33
“But seek first his kingdom and his righteousness, and all these things will be given to you as well.”
- Isaiah 40:31
“But those who hope in the Lord will renew their strength. They will soar on wings like eagles; they will run and not grow weary, they will walk and not be faint.”
- Proverbs 20:11
“Even children are known by the way they act, whether their conduct is pure, and whether it is right.”
- Romans 8:38-39
“For I am convinced that neither death nor life, neither angels nor demons, neither the present nor the future, nor any powers, neither height nor depth, nor anything else in all creation, will be able to separate us from the love of God that is in Christ Jesus our Lord.”
These verses can serve as a foundation for teaching children about God’s love, guidance, and promises for their lives.
Conclusion
Teaching children to pray is vital for their spiritual journey. Prayers bring comfort, wisdom, and a deeper connection with God.
As parents, teachers, and caregivers, we all play a crucial role in guiding little ones in prayer regularly. By nurturing a prayerful environment, we instill faith and blessings in their lives.
So, let’s incorporate these 15 prayers for little children into their daily routine and encourage them to always pray because it is through prayer that they can experience God’s love and guidance.
Lastly, in the comments below, we invite you to share your favorite children’s prayers or personal experiences with teaching children to pray. Together, let’s nurture their young hearts in prayerful devotion. Amen.
