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Teaching Children How to Pray

Discussion in 'General Baptist Discussions' started by Filmproducer, Jan 16, 2007.

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  1. Filmproducer

    Filmproducer Guest

    How should we go about teaching our children to pray? I have thought a lot about this recently because my daughter, who is 3, has taken to praying for everything recently. We always pray before meals and at bedtime, and until fairly recently she would pretty much follow allow with her older brother, (10). Over Thanksgiving we were at my MIL's and her family tradition is to hold hands and bless the meal, after which we go around the table and tell everyone what we are thankful for and give our favorite Bible verse. Ever since Carinna has taken special care in closing her eyes bowing her head and telling God what she is thankful for. My favorite was when we were out shopping. She is finally potty trained, but is scared of the automatic flush toilets in public restrooms. Well she had to go to the bathroom. I didn't want her to touch anything so I held both of her hands. All of a sudden she says, "I almost forgot". She proceeded to make me close my eyes and then she thanked God for mommy and the toilet, and the fact that mommy wouldn't let her fall in! She concluded with a hearty "AMEN". She will do something similar periodically throughout the day.

    Anyway, how and when did you teach your children how to pray?
     
    #1 Filmproducer, Jan 16, 2007
  2. Rachel

    Rachel New Member

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    awww Love it!! My boys have done the same kinda things. So sweet ain't it? My youngest also is scared of those auto toilets. :D lol Well they have learned by listening to us basicaly. Since they were babes. And when someone we know needs prayer I usually ask them to pray with me. I love how they will just break out in prayer, doesn't matter where. :love2:
     
    #2 Rachel, Jan 16, 2007
  3. Rachel

    Rachel New Member

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    No one else has any children here?
     
    #3 Rachel, Jan 16, 2007
  4. TaterTot

    TaterTot Guest

    I will pray with my girls at times, like when we lose something, or when someone is hurt, or like most recently, when our hamster got loose and my daughters heart was broken. I try to model to them that praying isnt reserved for mealtime only.
    I love to hear them pray. One is very serious with her prayers and one tends to get silly. But they are hopefully learning at least the importance of praying.
     
    #4 TaterTot, Jan 16, 2007
  5. guitarpreacher

    guitarpreacher New Member

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    After reading your post and in light of what Jesus had to say about faith and children, maybe we should get your little girl to come on here and teach us how to pray.
     
    #5 guitarpreacher, Jan 16, 2007
  6. PastorSBC1303

    PastorSBC1303 Active Member

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    I pray with my 4 girls often. I want them to see and hear my prayers and know that it is important to Daddy.

    My girls all will take turns praying. My oldest was recently saved and she takes her praying very seriously. The others tend to get silly at times, but I think it is important to let our kids see and hear us pray. We cannot tell them to pray and then not pray ourselves.
     
    #6 PastorSBC1303, Jan 16, 2007
  7. tinytim

    tinytim <img src =/tim2.jpg>

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    I'm with you there.. .It sounds like she already knows more than most Christians....

    Prayer is not Gimmee, gimmee, gimmee.... it is Thank You...Thank you... Thank you....

    We should all be convicted by your little girl's example... I am.
    Thanks for posting this.
     
    #7 tinytim, Jan 16, 2007
  8. ccrobinson

    ccrobinson Active Member

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    Exactly right. Kids won't buy into the "do as I say, not as I do" deal. I pray with my boys everyday and believe that they are going to learn to pray, or not to pray, from me.
     
    #8 ccrobinson, Jan 16, 2007
  9. Filmproducer

    Filmproducer Guest

    Thanks for the replies. I agree our children will not learn what we don't teach them. It's funny though, Carinna has actually been teaching me this week. Her actions have made me sit back and really tell the Lord I am thankful for everything, even the little things. She literally thanks God for EVERYTHING, sometimes to the point of annoying my son. :laugh: He was trying to do his homework today and she wanted to pray and thank God for paper and pencils. He got angry and before I had a chance to say anything she said, "but William if there was no paper you wouldn't have to do homework everyday". He wasn't too amused. I am working on teaching her there is a time and place for everything, but I don't want her to ever lose this awe of God's creation and thankfullness for it.
     
    #9 Filmproducer, Jan 16, 2007
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