PRAYING WITH CHILDREN by Lindsey Moss, Sunday School Preschool Director

I love to hear my children pray!  However, I have begun noticing that their prayers are very similar whether they are saying the blessing, praying on the way to school, or praying before they go to sleep. Recently, I had the opportunity to attend a session entitled “Praying with Children” and came away with several different ways to pray with them that will get them thinking about what and to Whom they are praying and praying from their hearts, instead of from their memory.

Here are a few suggestions:

• ·   Mad, Sad, Glad: (from Generation to Generation by Wayne Rice) pray for something you are MAD about, SAD about, and GLAD about
• ·        Thankfulness Color Prayers:  pull out crayons, markers, etc., and have the children name everything they are thankful for that is that color.  For older children:  pull out a piece of colored construction paper and have them write what they are thankful for
• ·       Hand Prayer Guide:  THUMB – pray for those closest to you, family and friends; INDEX FINGER – pray for teachers at school and church, and for your pastors; MIDDLE FINGER – pray for leaders in our country, cities, and our church; RING FINGER – pray for the sick and helpless; PINKIE FINGER – pray for missionaries and those around the world who don’t know Jesus
• ·       Photo Album:  go through a family photo album (or church directory) and pray for the different people in the album.  Write them a note telling them they were prayed for!

Source:  www.tinahouser.net