"You know what the sweetest time of day is? It is when you pray. Why?
Because you are talking to the one who loves you most."
Prayer can be a tricky thing. After all, you're praying to someone you can't see. It's hard for young children to wrap their minds around something so intangible. Well -- it's hard for me too. But the most important message we can send to our children is that God LOVES them and wants to communicate with them.
And one of the best ways to send that message is to pray with our child. Thanking for meals, remembering blessings of the day, asking for safety and sweet dreams, praising together.
Susan Taylor Brown, children's author, shares some things children should know about prayer:
Prayer is communication.
It can be spoken or silent. It can be a song or a story. It can be a picture or a dance.
Prayer can be done as often as you like.
Every week. Every day. Every hour.
Prayer can be shared, but doesn't have to be.
It can be done alone or with a favorite toy. It can be done with friends, family or pets.
Prayer can be done in any mood.
You can be happy, sad, angry, scared or confused when you pray.
Prayer doesn't need a special occasion.
There are certain prayers appropriate to special occasions, but you don't need to wait for a special time to pray.
Prayer doesn't have to be a request.
It can also be used to give thanks for what you have already received. "Thank you," is a perfect prayer.
Author Beth Vogt encourages moms to model prayer and to pray for our children in her article, "Teaching Your Child to Pray: Show, Don't Tell".
And a list of things to pray for -- for our children, that they will understand the power of forgiveness, that they will honor the Creator, that love with define them.
Because happy children realize the value of prayer.
Click here to read the rest of the posts in the series, 31 Days to Happier Children.
Because you are talking to the one who loves you most."
Prayer can be a tricky thing. After all, you're praying to someone you can't see. It's hard for young children to wrap their minds around something so intangible. Well -- it's hard for me too. But the most important message we can send to our children is that God LOVES them and wants to communicate with them.
And one of the best ways to send that message is to pray with our child. Thanking for meals, remembering blessings of the day, asking for safety and sweet dreams, praising together.
Susan Taylor Brown, children's author, shares some things children should know about prayer:
Prayer is communication.
It can be spoken or silent. It can be a song or a story. It can be a picture or a dance.
Prayer can be done as often as you like.
Every week. Every day. Every hour.
Prayer can be shared, but doesn't have to be.
It can be done alone or with a favorite toy. It can be done with friends, family or pets.
Prayer can be done in any mood.
You can be happy, sad, angry, scared or confused when you pray.
Prayer doesn't need a special occasion.
There are certain prayers appropriate to special occasions, but you don't need to wait for a special time to pray.
Prayer doesn't have to be a request.
It can also be used to give thanks for what you have already received. "Thank you," is a perfect prayer.
Author Beth Vogt encourages moms to model prayer and to pray for our children in her article, "Teaching Your Child to Pray: Show, Don't Tell".
And a list of things to pray for -- for our children, that they will understand the power of forgiveness, that they will honor the Creator, that love with define them.
Because happy children realize the value of prayer.
"Be anxious for nothing, but in everything by prayer and supplication,
with thanksgiving, let your requests be made known to God.
Philippians 46:7
Click here to read the rest of the posts in the series, 31 Days to Happier Children.