Ways to Pray and Teach Your Children

As a Christian mother, I think it is very natural for me to want to protect my boys and direct them towards a Christian life-style. It's also easy to say that I won't worry but will direct my desires to God in all situations. Easier said than done. I worry. I fret. But I should know and trust that He will help my kids through everyday difficulty.

I received a magazine the other day in the mailbox that we hadn't subscribed to, and I finally got around to reading it while watching the boys play in the culdesac. It's Thriving Family by Focus on the Family. There are a few articles in it that I want to share and paraphrase on here (hope it's legal!).

Some general ideas on how to pray for your children:

• Pray for Protection - ask the Lord to watch over your little ones as they play and your teens as they drive! Trust that the Lord will protect your kids in every way - body, mind and spirit (Psalm 5:11)


• Pray for Grace (both them and you) - Ask God to help your family love each other well (2 Cor 9:8)


• Pray for Wisdom - Ask God to help your children understand the difference between right and wrong and how to respond to difficult situations (Phil 1:9-11)


• Pray for People in Authority - Pray for teachers, coaches, pastors, and others who may have influence in your children's lives (1 Tim. 2: 1-3)


• Pray for their Daily Choices - Pray that your children will understand that obedience brings safety and blessing (Eph 6:1).

Additionally, there was an article on raising obedient children. It mentions that one of the Ten Commandments is to honor your mother and father and that those that do are promised long lives (Ex 20:12). Children need to know that obedience isn't optional and that learning to obey their parents is key in learning to obey God.

• Show your children how obedience looks - point out speed limit signs when you're driving and how you're obeying the law, explain that going to work every day enables you to follow God's command to provide for your family... Adults have to obey, too - God, our boss, our government - it's a part of God's plan


• As children grow older, they need to trust that when you tell them to do something, you have a good reason for it - when they're able to understand, tell them w-h-y they have to do something - because it will keep them safe, or healthy, or give them a skill they need to learn, etc.


• Say YES to kids whenever you can and limit the NOs! - only say no when you have to - when the issue deals with safety or growing their character. This reflects God's heart. Ask them to do things that are reasonable and for their good, and be prepared to give them the reasons when they're old enough to understand. This approach to obedience helps children realize as they grow older that God isn't arbitrary or a killjoy.