Why Do We Pray?
Some of my Christian friends enjoy the quote, “There are no atheists in foxholes.” It would seem that even those who don’t believe in God can find themselves in a circumstance that inspires prayer.
Prayers can be part of your religious tradition. You may say them at holidays, bedtime, or mealtime. Some people pray best by singing or humming, others by sitting still and quiet and “listening”.
In it’s most basic form, prayer makes us feel more connected. Connected to God if we believe in God. Connected to the universe or some kind of life force. Connected to our family, friends, community.
Prayer can ease our worries. It can help us focus on our desires. Or prayer can inspire use to new insights. We can find solutions to problems, learn to forgive ourselves or others, or find peace of mind.
You Want to be a Good Parent
So why teach a child to pray? Well, because you want to be a good parent.
For many people, especially those raised in a strong religious tradition, teaching their children to pray is one of a long list of “shoulds”.
When I was about 5 years old. I asked my mother to teach me to pray. I think that put her on the spot. I could sense it made her uncomfortable, but at 5 I was very persistant. My efforts finally got a cute little poem that I could say at bedtime.
“Now I lay me down to sleep, I pray the Lord, my soul to keep. If I should die before I wake. I pray the Lord, my soul to take.”
It seems strange to me now that at 5 years old I wouldn’t be satisfied with this answer, especially in a family that was known to use some funny prayers at times. I was happier when later that year a Sunday School teacher explained that prayer was just talking to God. Just like we would talk to anyone else.
If you think that 5 is too young to teach a child to pray, you may be right. You know your children better than anyone else. But that was about the same age that my children asked me to teach them to pray. I shared my Sunday School teacher’s advice with them, not my mothers.
The hardest part though, is setting an example. I’m pretty sure that my mother did not say cute little poems for her prayers. But prayer can be a very personal thing, and you may not feel comfortable praying in front of your children. Even if it is uncomfortable, many times your example is the best teacher of all.
Our Prayers Reflect Our Religious Faith
Most religions have some form of prayer. What we teach our children depends a lot on how we were raised and what we believe now.
Muslims, for example, have a very strict way of praying. They pray 5 times a day, and with a lot of ceremony. I think it must be easy to teach a Muslim child to pray because there is such a structured way of doing it.
Catholics have it easy too. They have books of standard prayers that children (and adults) can memorize for just about every imaginable situation.
With traditional religions like this there is so much form to prayer that they seem very confident they are “doing it right”. This confidence has to make it easier to teach your child to pray. If you know what you are doing, and are comfortable doing it, then your kid won’t pick up on the discomfort I got from my mother.
If you are part of a less structured religious faith, then the best advice I can offer is to become comfortable with your own style of prayer first. Once you feel good about how you pray, teach your child to do what you are doing. Let them see you pray. Let them hear the kind of things you pray for.
Teach Your Children to Pray While They are Young
Traditional Prayers
One of the most famous Christian prayers is “The Lord’s Prayer”. This is the prayer that was recorded in the New Testement when Jesus’ disciples asked him how to pray. And it is a favorite topic of sermons on how to pray.
Our Father, which art in heaven, hallowed by they name. They kingdom come, they will be done, on earth as it is in heaven.
Give us this day our daily bread. And forgive us our debts as we forgive those who trespass against us.
Lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil.
For thine is the glory and honor forever. Amen.
- Prayers for Children
Lot’s of those “cute little poems” my mother tried to teach me. Enjoy the inspirational words of short Prayers for Children. - 3360 Catholic Prayers
The world’s largest collection of Catholic prayers. Prayers on perseverance, peace, love, devotion, and many more topics. Offers prayers in English, French, Latin, and English. - Jewish Prayers
Prayers for various occasions: Grace after meals, blessings, and many other occasions. Transliterated Hebrew and English translations. - How to Perform the Salaat – Islamic Prayer
How to perform the Islamic Prayer. Muslims pray in Arabic. There are mp3 files and transliterated prayers as well as the English translations. - Prayers for Indian Children
Hindu prayers for all occassions in Sanskrit with English translation and mp3 files. - Buddhist Prayers
A few commonly recited Mahayana prayers are presented in Chinese and English. - Beliefnet Prayer Search
Prayers from many faiths and for many purposes. This is a very cool search engine just for prayers. Pick a faith, a reason for prayer, or a phrase you may remember from a prayer you heard.
Song as Prayer
In some cultures and religions prayers are changed or sung instead of “said”.
This can help in remembering words if you are trying to get your child to memorize a prayer.
It can also help to release the feelings in your heart if you add music to your prayer. It may be instrumental music that matches your mood. Or it may beinspirational songs that help you get centered and focus on the things you are grateful for, or the things you are trying to achieve in your personal growth.
Native American Prayer Song
Meditation as Prayer
Meditatoin is sometimes described as just sitting, or breathing.
I like to think of meditation as the “listening” side of prayer. Sure there are things I want, things I feel I need to say. But the most rewarding time of prayer (for me) is when I feel like I’ve been inspired with some new thought or new way of seeing a situation.
Meditation is also a very good way to relieve stress, elinimate worry, and achieve peace of mind.
And meditation can be very hard for a young child to learn!!
On the other hand, it can be rewarding for a parent to be able to have a little peace and quiet while her child is “meditating”.
Ideas About Teaching Children to Pray from the Heart
Prayers From the Heart
Whatever method of prayer you choose, prayers mean most when they come from the heart.
I enjoyed the video above, in spite of it’s being an advertisement because there were so many helpful moments where we see how this woman gets kids to think and talk about praying.
For some parents, your kids may make your job easier by asking how to pray. But if you are trying teach your child how to pray when they have not asked, then warming up to the conversation can be a good way to start. Practicing talking about things like what you are grateful for, or just having a conversation with another person can build a foundation for understanding and learning the best prayers… the spontaneous prayers from the heart.