I am part of a bible study group with some good friends. We started out taking Lay Ministry classes together and we have decided to continue our gatherings apart from our classes. In our last class we read a book called “Power Surge” by Michael Foss.

The premise of the books is that there are six ways that you can change from being a church member to a disciple in the way that Jesus wants us to live. The first mark of discipleship is to pray daily. This may be a foreign concept for some of our kids.

Some of our kids have come from backgrounds of abuse and neglect where prayer was not a part of their lives at all. Other kids may have come from cultures where prayer is very different from what we as Christians do. Other kids may have seen adults pray, or even just the church pastor pray, but don’t know how to pray as children.

1 Thessalonians 5:16-18

Rejoice evermore. Pray without ceasing. In everything give thanks: for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus concerning you.

One of the ways to teach children is to use their hands as a prayer. Their hands are always with them so they can pray anytime, anywhere. There are variations of what the different fingers mean, and they can be adjusted to suit your child, but the basic idea is that each finger stands for something or someone that you pray for.

• Praise and worship
• Confess our sins
• Thanking God
• Needs of others
• Our needs

Of course this would need to be explained to each child at an age appropriate level. Go through each finger daily and have them pray for something in that “category.” Pray the same thing with your child so that the child can hear your prayers.

Kids love to do things with their names. They can choose to pray for something or someone that starts with each letter of their name. For Kelly, I could pray for:

• Kindness
• Environment
• Laughter
• Life
• Young people

Popcorn prayers are little prayers that are done throughout the day. If you see a police car, fire truck or ambulance, offer up a short prayer for everyone involved to be safe. If you see an animal that has been killed on the side of the road, offer a prayer for all animals. If you’re out walking and you pass a friend’s house offer a prayer for that family. Kids can learn that prayer can be done as you think of that person and does not have to wait until bedtime or until worship on Sunday.

Teaching our kids to pray will take them far in life.



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