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The strength in specific prayer
Routine is back! Toddler groups are on again, the school term has started, church activities are back to normal – so what can we do to think intentionally about how to help our children grow in faith too?
We know there are no guarantees that our children will love God when they are older, but God gave us a wonderful tool to help us partner with him – prayer.
There’s something intriguing and exciting about praying specifically for our children. You might like using written prayers from the Common Book of Prayer to help bring rhythm and structured words to your prayer time.You might like to pray your child grows in the characteristics of specific people in the Bible. We had one parent share with us how they pray for a spirit like David for their young son.
Or maybe you like to pray specific scriptures over your children; that they would grow in wisdom and knowledge, or develop the fruits of the Spirit in their lives (Galatians 5:22) and be kind and loving to others (Ephesians 4:32).
"This is the confidence we have in approaching God: that if we ask anything according to his will, he hears us."
1 John 5:14 (NIV)
How could you cultivate more specific prayers for your children this month? Have you tried using a prayer reminder app to prompt you to pray? We’ve found them really helpful, particularly when the busyness of family life threatens to take over!
Whatever you try this month be encouraged that our God hears our prayers and moves in action because of them.
Becky and the Kitchen Table Project team
Conversational prayer
Sometimes prayer is a challenge for us, let alone our children.
This audio podcast from Parenting for Faith pioneer Rachel Turner looks at how we can learn more about conversational prayer, and in turn help our children connect with God.
Listen to Rachel’s message here
Ways to cultivate specific prayer
Not sure where to start?
You could write down some specific things that you would like to pray for your children.
Or you could find some written prayers that you could use consistently.
There's also a great prayer reminder app called 'ECHO' which is simple to use and fits into busy schedules. Find out more here.
Teaching children to pray
Modelling prayer to our children doesn't have to be complicated. Praying with them, or for them out loud helps them learn that they can always talk to God.
Letting them hear us pray for ourselves and asking God to help us in our day shows them how much you as their parent depend on God.
What opportunities can you take this month to help encourage your children to talk to God?
Please send us your stories of inspiring faith at home – good and bad – we know it’s a rollercoaster! We’d love to include them in our emails and on the blog.
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