Children usually have an innate sense of spirituality, which is why teaching them prayer practices is a relatively simple process.

The three major reasons to teach a child about prayer are:

1. It helps them start a relationship with God.
2. It lets them know there’s someone apart from you that they can always turn to.
3. It teaches them how to listen to God’s answers (which aren’t usually audible).
   

To teach children to pray, you can use a variety of methods, but the best method is to lead by example. As parents, we can pray with our children to teach them about prayer, but our own prayer life can be a huge teaching ministry all by itself. 

By watching you pray, your child will gain a strong sense of faith and intuition for prayer. When you pray with your children or as a family, it’s invaluable to their spiritual development.

By instilling a habit of daily prayer in children, you teach them the importance of why we pray. There's no better way to teach them the significance of having a relationship with Jesus and how their value and worth originate from the Holy Spirit.  

Teaching our children to pray is a way that we show them we love them.

The perfect place to show them an example of how we should pray is found in Matthew 6:9-13. In the Lord’s Prayer, we're taught to respect God, ask for forgiveness, and ask for the things we need.

There are many great Bible verses that, in God’s word, talk about children.

1 Timothy 4:12 says: 

“Let no one despise you for your youth, but set the believers an example in speech, in conduct, in love, in faith, in purity.” 

Some other verses include: 

“Children, obey your parents in the Lord for this is right. ‘Honor your father and mother’ (this is the first commandment with a promise), ‘that it may go well with you and that you may live long in the land.’ Fathers do not provoke your children to anger, but bring them up in the discipline and instruction of the Lord” (Ephesians 6:2-4).

“All your children shall be taught by the Lord, and great shall be the peace of your children” (Isaiah 54:13).

“Jesus said, ‘Let the little children come to me, and don't hinder them, for the kingdom of heaven belongs to such as these” (Matthew 19:14).

Throughout our children's lives, we should always teach them to look to God's word for support and guidance.

People say that having a child is like having your heart walk around outside your body. 

Each mother or father knows that raising a child is an emotional and devotional journey filled with joys, sorrows, and uncertainties. To ease your mind, here are four prayers you can say for your child.

Prayer for children’s protection

“Because you've made the Lord your dwelling place — the Highest who's my refuge  — no evil shall be allowed to befall you, no plague will come near your tent. For he'll command his angels, concerning you to guard you in all your ways. On their hands, they'll bear you up, lest you strike your foot against a stone. You'll tread on the lion and the adder, the young lion and the serpent you'll trample underfoot. Because he holds fast to me in love, I'll deliver him, I'll protect him because he knows my name. When he calls me, I'll answer him, I'll be with him in trouble, I'll rescue him and honor him. With long life, I will satisfy him and show him my salvation” (Psalm 91:9-16).

Prayer for anxious kids

“Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything by prayer and supplication, with thanksgiving, let your requests be made known to God. And the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus” (Philippians 4:6-7).  

Prayer for guidance

Father God, may my child’s feet bring Your truth to the world they live in. May their feet go to the needy, go to the orphan, and go to the neglected. May they seek to give, and not receive. I ask that You show them the blessing of serving others. Let them have hearts that are open to helping their communities.Help them to know that they're never too young to use their feet to go places to serve You. In Jeremiah 29:11, you say, “For I know the plans I have for you declares the Lord's plans for welfare and not for evil to give you a future and a hope.” May You use my child today for Your glory, and not their own. Almighty God, help me to be prepared to hold them with loose hands, however You may choose to lead them, even if it is across the nations one day on the mission field. They're Yours, Lord.

Prayer for health

O Lord, you love our child as You love all children. Bring healing to our child who is not well. Stay by our child’s side and comfort them through this trying time. We ask for Your healing presence to be ever-present to us. Please comfort us as well as bring us Your powerful healing. Loving Lord Jesus Christ, You are the good Shepherd of the sheep, and You are the One who carries the little lambs in Your arms — and gently cares for those that are weak and afraid. Lord God, it is so hard to watch a child in distress and feel helpless to aid them — but I pray, Lord, that You would safely carry this little child and tend for them as only You can. Thank You for hearing our prayer! In Jesus’ name, Amen.

Younger children find it hard to understand why worldly things are ultimately fleeting and eternal things are the ones around which a meaningful life is centered. 

Because of this, it's important to teach your children the importance of prayer. 

Every person should use the practice throughout their life. Let God show you how to live this idea daily in front of children, and pray that they'll be able to grasp it. 

Family prayer is a great way to get the little ones interested. Kids are like little sponges, soaking up everything you teach them. Before you know it, they’ll be seeking out a relationship with God all on their own. 

For more on prayer, download the pray.com app in the iOS App Store or Google Play.