Below you will find scripture you can pray and tips for how to pray with your children.

Scripture on Prayer

Why should we pray?

“Rejoice always, pray continually, give thanks in all circumstances; for this is God’s will for you in Christ Jesus.”—I Thessalonians 5:16-18 (ESV)

Who should we pray for?

“First of all, then, I urge that supplications, prayers, intercessions, and thanksgivings be made for all people, … This is good, and it is pleasing in the sight of God our Savior, who desires all people to be saved and to come to the knowledge of the truth.”— I Timothy 2:1,3-4 (ESV)

Prayer for the unsaved

“And He said to them, ‘The harvest is plentiful, but the laborers are few. Therefore, pray earnestly to the Lord of the harvest to send out laborers into his harvest.’”— Luke 10:2 (ESV)

Prayer for those who are suffering

 “Is anyone among you suffering? Let him pray. And the prayer of faith will save the one who is sick, and the Lord will raise him up.”—James 5:13a, 15a (ESV)

God calls us to ask Him for what we need

 “Ask, and it will be given to you; seek, and you will find; knock, and it will be opened to you. For everyone who asks receives, and the one who seeks finds, and to the one who knocks it will be opened.”— Matthew 7:7-8 (ESV)

Praying with Children

Talk to your child about what it means to pray. Here are a few tips on why it’s important for them to talk to God.

  • Prayer is how we get to know God better.

  • God wants to have time with them because He loves them very much.

Praying with younger children can be done in the form of simple statements.

  • Ask them to thank God for something that has made them happy. Let them know they should thank God for the good things in their lives.

  • God wants to know how they are feeling. Let them know they can talk to God when they’re happy or sad.

  • Ask them if they have done something wrong. Let them know they can talk to God about that and ask Him to forgive them.

With older children, you can use the Lord’s Prayer as a guide in your time of prayer with them.

  • Praise God for being their Heavenly Father.

  • Thank God for the things He has done for them.

  • Ask Him for His help when they are sick or lonely.

  • Ask His forgiveness for any hurtful things they have done.