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Just A Thought: Prayer

May 11, 2023 0 comments

Posted in: Just a Thought

From a young age, children mimic those around them.  They hold pretend phones up to their ears and carry-on one-way conversations.  They play dress-up and pretend to take their stuffed animal’s temperature or cook a meal.  Sometimes, they even take on a parental tone of voice, shake their finger, and correct the family pet. This tendency to mimic others is seen in spiritual areas as well.  Children learn from us how to pray by watching us pray.  They fold their hands like we do.  They say “Amen” along with us.  They learn to ask God for help, healing, and provision.  Because children learn by watching us, we can use prayer time to disciple our children in the faith.  As we pray, we can teach our children more about God, who He is, and what He has done for them in Christ.  Here are four ways our prayers can disciple our children

  1. In Theology - When we praise and adore God for who He is, our children learn about His character. As we list His attributes in prayer, they learn He is all powerful, and all knowing. They learn that He is merciful, loving, gracious, forgiving, holy, righteous, and just. As they hear these attributes of God, the more these truths are planted in their hearts.
  2. In Repentance - Praying for forgiveness is a significant aspect to prayer. 1 John 1:9 says, “If we confess our sins, He is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness.” When we pray our children learn about our need for forgiveness and that only God can provide it.
  3. In Purpose - When we pray in all circumstances, praising God, thanking God, repenting, and asking for our needs and the needs of others to be met, they learn the multifaceted breadth to prayer. When we pray to God, voicing our worries and cares, they learn that God is the One we turn to for help. When we pray in times of joy and in times of sadness, they learn that we can come to God no matter how we feel and that He always hears us.
  4. In Trust - John Calvin wrote that “prayer isn’t so much for the benefit of God, but for our benefit.” It draws us into greater trust and dependence upon our Maker and Savior. As we pray, we need to rejoice with our children when God saves a lost relative, heals someone, or provides for a need for which we prayed. The practice of prayer develops in us greater trust in our good Father.

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