Inspiring Prayers To Uplift & Inspire Children

The word, ‘prayer’, comes from the Old French, ‘preiere’ which in turn derives from the Latin, ‘precarius’ which means to obtain by entreaty, to petition or request.

Many wonder how can prayer be relevant to the lives of children in this 21^st century digital age? The answer is that prayers have never been as relevant or as important.

The power of prayer

Prayer brings us closer to God. The Bible itself states the power and importance of prayer as a way of speaking to God. Prayer is about communication from which we can derive support and comfort to help us face the many, daily difficulties which life has in store for us. Prayer is a demonstrable sign of true faith; it offers succour and bestows inspiration. Prayer heals and opens our hearts to the miraculous.

What does prayer teach children

Prayer teaches children an awareness of others by being thankful for what they have. Prayer also instils an early lesson in self-reflection and examination albeit in very simple terms, of behaviour and responsibility towards others. Children can include anyone in their prayers, not just family and immediate friends.

Prayer offers the ability to extend consciousness beyond the child’s immediate world and to God’s entire family. Including others such as children in less developed nations is an early and valuable lesson in moral responsibility and consideration and empathy towards others. Encourage your children to connect with other children through the power of prayer. Take a look at some of the prayers for children here and inspire your child to make a real difference to those less fortunate than themselves.

Prayer bracelets also instil an early lesson in self-reflection and examination albeit in very simple terms, of behaviour and responsibility towards others.

Keep it simple

Children like catchphrases tags and slogans. Prayers can be as simple as one-liners which can be easily remembered. You may find your child repeating these more frequently than the times you designate for prayer during the day.

When to pray with your children

Praying before meals will teach thankfulness for the bounty of God’s food and gratitude to those hands who have prepared it. Praying before eating encourages children to think about those less fortunate around the world who do not have enough to eat or even any food at all.

You know how much your children love particular bedtime stories. They know all the words off by heart and will never let you skip a page in the book. This love of comforting repetition makes it easy to teach children simple prayers which they can easily learn by rote and say with you every night before bedtime. Let them give thanks for their day and for those around them.

Simple morning prayer is an excellent way to set the tone for the day ahead. Traditionally, many schools would begin the day with an Assembly and some faith schools would start each lesson with a prayer. Visit the website to know more. A simple line which your child can say when they wake will keep them in God’s embrace throughout the day.

Let prayer be spontaneous

As well as designated times during the day when your children pray and you pray with them, prayer can be a response to an immediate disaster or crisis. This can be something within the household or an international scale beamed into the family home via television or social media. Never have we been made more aware of the plight of those who live far away from us. Use this as an opportunity to seek God’s support for those suffering or in need.

Pray and connect

Charitable acts to those in need are to be encouraged for all children. Indeed, there are numerous good causes which your children can become involved with. For example, a Compassion sponsor involves supporting children in the developing world and identifying with a real child in a different country. This presents the opportunity to be involved in their lives through the power of prayer. This helps develop an awareness of the plight of others and children’s inherent character traits of empathy which can be carried through into adulthood.