As Christian moms, we know that teaching our children to pray is one of our most important duties. But for many of us, prayer is difficult in our own life and the idea of teaching it to our children feels like one more to-do on our very long list.
But what if we choose to see prayer as a beautiful invitation to connect and communicate with God? What if we made prayer as organic and commonplace as talking about the weather?
The Lord's Prayer
Scripture: Matthew 6:9-13
Through the Bible in Felt: pg 174
Hannah Prays for a Baby
Scripture: I Samuel 1
The New Bible in Pictures for Little Eyes: pg 148, 150
The Beginner's Bible: pg 156
My Story Bible: pg 36-37
Through the Bible Felt: pg 95
Shorten the verses as appropriate for the child's developmental level.
I Thessalonians 5:17 - Pray without ceasing. (Explain that ceasing means stopping.)
Tune: Hot Cross Buns
Pray without ceasing, (hands praying, one hand moves out to show "stop")
Pray without ceasing,
I Thessalonians (form book with hands)
5:17 (five fingers)
Jeremiah 29:12 (ESV)
Then you will call upon me and come and pray to me, and I will hear you.
Psalm 145:18 (NIV)
The Lord is near to all who call on Him.
1 John 5:14 (NIV)
If we ask anything according to His will, He hears us.
Cover your children, grandchildren, or students in prayer with this 31-day calendar of powerful Bible verses. Each day focuses on themes like wisdom, courage, love, and godly character, praying for spiritual guidance and strength for the next generation.
Read your Bible, pray every day, pray every day, pray every day (make book, prayer hands)
Read your Bible, pray every day, then you’ll grow, grow, grow (bend down and get taller)
Then you’ll grow, grow, grow, then you’ll grow, grow, grow
Read your Bible, pray every day, then you’ll grow, grow, grow
Tune: Johnny Appleseed Tune
Ohhhhh, the Lord is good to me
And so, I thank the Lord!
For giving me, the things I need,
The Sun and the Rain and my Family
Oh the Lord is good to me
Amen, amen, ah - men
Tune: Ten Little Indians
1 little, 2 little, 3 little fingers
4 little, 5 little, 6 little fingers
7 little, 8 little, 9 little fingers
10 fingers folded in prayer
Tune: Twinkle, Twinkle Little Star
We can talk to God each day
When we fold our hands and pray
God will hear each word we say
Ev'ry night and ev'ry day.
We can talk to God each day
When we fold our hands and pray
Tune: Are you Sleeping?
Thank You, Father, Thank You, Father
For this day, for this day. (may substitute other words of thanks - food, the sunshine, our family, etc.)
And the (Your) many blessings, and the (Your) many blessings.
A-men, A-men
My hands are high
My hands are low
My hands are folded
Just like so
Close your eyes
Fold your hands
Let’s talk to God
Like we’re talking to a friend
Tune: The Ants Go Marching In
When I'm feeling sad and blue, I'll pray! I'll pray!
When I don't know what to do, I'll pray! I'll pray!
God is with me every day.
God is listening when I pray.
So, I'll talk to God every day, I'll pray!
Equip a child with spiritual tools in this fun, play-based Armor of God study. Through engaging activities and Bible lessons, children will learn how to wear and wield the armor God provides. Help them stand strong in their faith with this hands-on, faith-building experience.
God Gave Us Prayer by Lisa Tawn Bergren helps children understand the concept of prayer and how they can talk to God. Little Bear learns from his family that prayer is a way to communicate with God, whether to say thank you, ask for help, or share feelings. This gentle, faith-based book encourages children to develop a personal relationship with God through prayer.
The Carrot Seed by Ruth Krauss tells the story of a little boy who plants a carrot seed and waits for it to grow, even when others doubt him. Despite their doubts, he stays patient and hopeful. In the end, his hard work pays off when the carrot finally sprouts.
When we pray, it's important to believe in what we are praying for and in the One we are praying to. Without this belief, our prayers are just empty words.
I Can Talk with God by Debby Anderson is a simple, child-friendly book that teaches young children about prayer and how they can talk to God. The story encourages children to communicate with God about their feelings, hopes, and thanks, making prayer feel accessible and personal. The book helps children understand that talking to God is a natural and comforting part of their relationship with Him.
Sheet available in the Bible Activity Workbook
Paint
Tear small pieces of yellow and white tissue paper
Praying Hands
Have the child join his/her hands together in praying hands. Lay them down on a piece of paper and trace around. Paint vinegar on the drawn hands. While still wet stick down pieces of tissue paper. As the paper dries, it will flake off and leave color. Add the title "I Can Talk to God."
Blowing Bubbles
Relate blowing bubbles to sending our prayers up to God. Shared by Lori
Prayer Box
Cover and decorate a shoe box or tissue box. Add a slit at the top large enough for the child to slip his/her hand in. Place pictures of people or things that the child can pray for. Each night draw one or more out so the child can see the picture and know what to pray for before bed.
Family Prayer Journal
Even though the child is young, start a Family Prayer Journal. Write down specific prayers along with the date the prayer is answered along with the answer. Look back through and see how God has provided for your family.
Paper Prayer Chain
Make a paper chain by looping pieces of paper together. Write prayer requests on the chains.
Prayer Pretzels
Make and eat pretzels. The legend is that a monk used leftover bread dough ropes folded as hands in prayer across the chest to remind his students to pray. Click for the recipe.
Floating to Heaven
Use helium filled balloons to illustrate how our prayers rise up to God's ears. Give each child a balloon, let them say a prayer or attach a written prayer, and release the balloon. The prayer may be for the person who finds the balloon. Share by Dawn Important: Choking Hazard
Available in the New Testament Curriculum, 1 Year Interactive Bible Stories and 2 Year Interactive Bible Stories
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