Teaching Your Child To Pray

The most wonderful gift a parent may give his or her child is the gift of prayer, talking with God. It is at the heart of a child's spiritual life as he or she begins to build the most important aspect of his life at a very early age: faith/trust. Prayer acknowledges that our whole life is in the hands of a gracious Father who wishes that we be filled with his love. Indeed, our God delights in us and takes pleasure in our lives. In and through his Son, Christ, he has drawn us into a deep relationship with him. Thus, prayer is the awareness of that dialogue with the very Ground of our Being, the Source of our life.

When you begin to teach your child how to pray, encourage him (through your example) simply to be quiet and at peace for a moment. If you are just beginning to teach him or her, pray for your child: Thanking God for the day, for your children, for your friends, family; remembering those who are sick or in need; for the world in which we live, etc. As the child grows, encourage him or her to pray aloud with you: Thanking God for the little things, for pets and animals, for friends, and to talk with God about whatever is bothering them. Simply be present with your child as they pray, and be comfortable as you place yourself and your child in the Presence of our Creator and Redeemer.

There is no structure to informal prayer - be simple, direct, joyous, sad, lift up your hearts together. Prayer is just talking to God, either silently or aloud.

If it is your custom to say grace at meals and as your child grows encourage him or her to say grace. A simple grace is: "God thank you for this food."

Sometimes reading from Holy Scripture together. Perhaps a Psalm or a reading for the coming Sunday Liturgy or a passage that is well known to you..

Just remember that as you pray, you are being mindful of God and his loving presence in all your life.