Kids Ministry

Dedicated to helping Kids Ministry leaders in their mission of making disciples

  • Blog
  • Podcast
  • Training
  • Events
  • Team
  • Resources
Bible Study, Devotional, Kids Ministry, Parenting, Prayer, Preschool, Preteen, Resources, Spiritual Disciplines
October 2, 2015

Teaching Kids to Pray

By Kids Ministry 101

by Mary Wiley

No matter if a child is learning to deal with his parents’ divorce or is just sad because he has to wait his turn to play on the swing, kids face battles both big and small. As parents and those who serve kids in the church, you can equip kids to fight those battles wisely through prayer. Teaching kids the spiritual discipline of prayer can feel daunting, and for many parents, they don’t feel capable of teaching their kids something that they also find to be a struggle. We want to equip you in the way you equip kids and parents to strengthen their prayer lives through three resources tied to the movie WAR ROOM.

Below are 5 tips and 3 resources to help you equip kids and parents in their journey toward healthy prayer lives. Let us know what you would add in the comments!

Tip #1: Model prayer daily.

When kids see that you view prayer as important, they will realize that it is also important in their own lives.

Tip #2: Pray for God to do big things.

Remind kids that God is big enough to do all things. He can heal the sickest of the sick and help the most helpless. Praise God for His power and also rely on Him to work.

Tip #3: Pray for God to do small things, too.

Being afraid of the dark or not being able to find a favorite toy might seem big to some kids, but we know in the grand scheme of things it’s a small thing. Make sure to pray for the small things. Never tell a kid their prayer request isn’t worth praying for. All things are worth taking to the Lord, and the Bible says that He cares for all of our concerns.

Tip #4: Talk about what it means to pray without ceasing.

This is a verse we like to throw around sometimes without a lot of explanation, but for a kid’s concrete mind, this sounds like never opening our eyes and having a really bad crick in our necks from bowing our heads for so long. Help kids understand that God wants us to talk to Him like we would a good friend – throughout the day.

Tip #5: Start now!

Don’t feel defeated if you haven’t been praying with your children each day. Each day is new and there’s no better day to start than today! Don’t worry about teaching your children perfectly. Ask God to help you and your children better understand prayer. He is faithful!

3 Resources for Kids:

Screen Shot 2015-09-24 at 2.23.38 PM

Peter’s Perfect Prayer Place 

This story for ages 4-8 follows Peter as he tries to find the perfect place to pray to God. Peter learns that God hears his prayers, no matter where he is, so the perfect place to pray is anywhere that you are!

Screen Shot 2015-09-24 at 2.24.11 PM

Prayer Works

This training guide will equip your 8-12 year olds to develop a strategic, growing prayer life. It is filled with activities, illustrations, and journaling prompts for kids to experience to help them think through why they should pray, why their prayers matter, and if God will answer their prayers.

Screen Shot 2015-09-24 at 2.24.34 PM

This Means War

Isn’t being a teenager a war in itself? Grab this book for those 13 and up to encourage them in their prayer life. This book includes journaling space and also short chapters that answer questions that teens have about prayer. There is no better skill to teach your children than to teach them to pray. As you seek to equip parents and children’s ministry leaders, consider offering up these resources developed alongside the movie WAR ROOM. Our children are walking into battle everyday. Let’s teach them the right way to fight.

You may also like -

  • 6 Ways to Pray with Kids
  • Developing a Kids Ministry Prayer TeamDeveloping a Kids Ministry Prayer Team
  • Devotional: Are You in a Slump?Devotional: Are You in a Slump?
  • Prayer: Teaching Kids Spiritual DisciplinesPrayer: Teaching Kids Spiritual Disciplines

Filed Under: Bible Study, Devotional, Kids Ministry, Parenting, Prayer, Preschool, Preteen, Resources, Spiritual Disciplines October 2, 2015

Sign Up for Our Newsletter

Subscribe to Podcast

Apple PodcastsGoogle PodcastsAndroidby EmailRSS

Sign Up to receive the free Kids Ministry 101 Magazine!

Get the Digital Magazine Get the Print Magazine
Want to write for Lifeway Kids?

Subscribe to Blog via Email

Enter your email address to subscribe to this blog and receive notifications of new posts by email.

Join 1,214 other subscribers

@LifeWayKids
FOLLOW
My Tweets

All Ministry Sites

Leadership
Kids Ministry
Student Ministry
Groups Ministry
Women’s Ministry
Worship Ministry

Digital Resources

Ministry Grid
Lifeway Worship
Digital Church
KidEvent Pro
MyCurriculum Manager
Simulcast Manager
Lifeway Reader eBooks
Generosity
WORDsearch
SmallGroup.com

Lifeway Network

Lifeway Research
B&H

Copyright © 2021 · Lifeway Christian Resources · All Rights Reserved