The key is to introduce prayer as a natural, joyful part of everyday life, helping children understand that talking to God is something they can do anytime and anywhere. With a bit of creativity, prayer can become an experience that kids look forward to. From bedtime prayers to thankfulness jars, there are countless ways to make prayer engaging and easy for kids to understand.
Start with Thank-You Prayers
Begin prayer time with gratitude. Pa Kola does this by telling his family, “Let’s thank God for three things today!” This can help kids focus on the positive, recognize God’s blessings, and see prayer as an opportunity to appreciate the good in their lives.
Use a Prayer Calendar
Create a calendar with daily prayer themes, such as family on Mondays or friends on Tuesdays. Kids can look forward to different themes, and a family member can serve as a “prayer buddy” to keep them excited about each day’s focus.
Introduce “Popcorn Prayers”
Popcorn prayers are short, spontaneous prayers that anyone in the family can say at any time. This style keeps prayer light-hearted and accessible, making it easy for kids to join in.
Draw or Write Prayer Requests
Use a big piece of paper or a whiteboard to write down things your family prays for. Encourage the kids to add to the list or draw little pictures. Reviewing it each week shows how God answers prayers, building their faith.
Bedtime Prayer Prompts
Before bed, ask your kids about their day—what made them happy or what worried them—and pray together over these things. This nightly routine reassures kids that God is with them as they sleep and cares about all their concerns.
Teach the Lord’s Prayer and Break It Down
The Lord’s Prayer can be a beautiful first step into prayer. Break down each line, explaining what it means to ask for daily bread or to forgive others. This prayer becomes a foundational tool for kids to use in life. The Groundnuts Family has a great song that makes learning the prayer easy. Listen to it here.
Use “Blessings on the Go”
Encourage kids to pray for people they see during the day—like their teacher, friends, or even the mail carrier. You might say something like, “Let’s bless everyone we pass today!” This habit shows that prayer isn’t limited to certain places and that we can pray for others anytime.
Prayer Walks in Nature
Take a family walk and pray about the beauty you see in God’s creation. Thank Him for the trees, flowers, birds and more. Walking while praying shows kids that God’s presence is all around us, even outdoors.
Create a Thankfulness Tree
Draw a tree on poster paper, and let kids add leaves that list things they’re grateful for each day. The tree grows as their prayers of gratitude grow, creating a visual reminder of all the blessings in their lives.
Use “Breath Prayers” for Calm Moments
Teach kids “breath prayers” where they say a short phrase, like “Jesus, be with me,” as they inhale and exhale. This simple technique is especially helpful for calming down and can become a habit for peaceful, prayerful moments.
These practices not only help children build confidence in expressing their thoughts to God but also provide families with special moments of connection and reflection. As children learn the habit of prayer, they’ll come to see it as a source of comfort, guidance and strength in their lives.
