Teaching Young Children About God and How to Pray

Prayer is a controversial topic. I realize some people do not believe in prayer, or teaching children to pray. If this is you, please feel free to stop reading now and go on to something else. I am also aware that there are many beliefs and points of view on this topic, but I am writing this entirely from my personal perspective. Please remember, these are just suggestions. They can be modified in any way to suit individual needs and beliefs.

I believe if children learn to pray when they are very young, they will develop the habit of praying throughout their lives. A young child becomes comfortable with praying and will develop a personal relationship with God.

Just as children are taught to say 'please' and 'thank you' to others for a kindness or a gift, or when asking for something they want, children can be taught to be polite to God and thank God whenever something good happens to them, no matter how small it may be. Also, children can be taught to be aware of their prayers being answered and to thank God for the blessings they receive. It is important to teach a child to look for answers from God in their lives, so they can see how He cares about all they do.

Helping children see God's beauty around them--a beautiful sunset, an especially pretty flower or any of God's creations--helps them appreciate God and have an awareness of what they are given. Teach your child to remember to thank God for His goodness to them.

Whenever your child sees someone in need, such as a homeless person, someone who is ill or has had an accident, remind him to say a prayer for the individual, or say a prayer with your child for the person in need. If the child is upset by the situation or afraid that the catastrophe may happen to him or someone close to him, praying can be a comfort. Teach the child to ask God to protect him and his loved ones.

Teach the child that God loves him no matter what, even if he does something which isn't always pleasing to God. Teach him God wants to listen to him and answer his prayers. The child needs to be assured that God is always available to listen and will always forgive. He needs to realize God always knows what is in his heart and that it is important to be honest and truthful--especially with God.

Teach the child prayer is talking freely from his heart to God about anything. Teach him he can tell God about his fears, worries and concerns and ask God about things he doesn't understand. Also teach the child to share his joy and happiness with God. Teach him that God always answers his prayers but not always in the way he wants or expects. Teach your child that God always has our best interests in mind and we can trust Him to do what is best for us.

When I was a child, I said a prayer each night before I went to sleep. My mother or father sat at the edge of my bed and listened while I talked to God each night, thanking Him and asking Him to bless my family and friends. I don't remember at what age I first started saying my bedtime prayer, but I imagine I was around three years of age.

Many little children are taught the "Now I lay me down to sleep" prayer, but that prayer scared me because of the part, "...If I should die before I wake...". It frightened me to think about dying before morning came. Fortunately, my mother understood my fears and quickly taught me another prayer instead. This is the prayer I learned and said every night before I went to sleep.

In my little bed I lie,
Heavenly Father, hear my cry.
Lord, protect me through the night,
Bring me safe till morning's light.
God bless Mother and Daddy and (here I said the names of my relatives, pets, friends etc.)
Amen.

This little prayer was my first introduction to God and praying and gave me the first steps down a path I have been following all my life.