4 Tips to Help Your Children with Prayer
Modeling the habit of prayer
As a pastor, I have yet to meet a Christian who is satisfied with their prayer life. As a Christian myself, I know I could grow in this area too. I understand what the Bible teaches, and I believe prayer is essential. Still, I also know how easily my prayer life can be disrupted by the smallest inconvenience.As a parent, I have found that teaching children to pray is not easy. It can even feel hypocritical at times because prayer is something I continue to struggle with. But I believe that helping our children learn to pray is one of the greatest gifts we can give them.
Lately, I have been asking how I can help my own kids succeed in this area. How can I model prayer as something they grow into, rather than grow out of? These reflections are what I hope to share with other parents who may feel the same tension.
Start with simple, shared moments of prayer. When children regularly hear and participate in short, honest prayers, they begin to understand that talking to God can be as natural as talking to a friend. The goal is not to make prayer a burden but to help it become a joyful habit, just as Paul encouraged in Philippians 4:6 and 1 Thessalonians 5:17.
1. Establish a Consistent Time and Place for Prayer
Prayer needs a regular spot in the family’s routine. Donald Whitney reminds us that spiritual growth happens through steady, daily habits. Children, in particular, thrive when there is structure.
Choose a time that works best for your family. This could be in the morning, around the dinner table, or right before bed. Also, pick a place in the house where prayer can happen consistently. Daniel prayed three times a day, kneeling at the same window each time (Daniel 6:10). Jesus would often rise early in the morning and go to a quiet place to pray (Mark 1:35). These examples show how routine helps us prioritize God.
In our home, we pray together after evening devotions. We sit on the couch, read a short passage, talk about it, and then pray. It is not complicated, but it creates space for God in our family life.
Justin Whitmel Earley once said, “Our habits won’t change God’s love for us, but God’s love for us can and should change our habits.” A regular prayer routine is not about earning God’s favor. It is about helping our hearts grow more aware of His presence.
Practical idea: Create a prayer chart or set a daily reminder. Even young children can help by ringing a bell at prayer time or picking a verse to pray.
Why it matters: A consistent prayer time teaches children that God comes first. It also pushes back against the idea that prayer only happens when we have extra time.
2. Ground Your Child’s Prayers in Scripture
One of the best ways to teach children to pray is by helping them pray God’s words back to Him. The Reformers and the Puritans often said that prayer is shaped and nourished by Scripture. The Psalms are a great starting place, and the Lord’s Prayer in Matthew 6 offers a simple but rich structure.
Burk Parsons encourages parents to let children hear and repeat the Lord’s Prayer, even when they are young. You can focus on just one line. For example, start with “Our Father in heaven, hallowed be Your name,” and talk about what it means to honor God during the school day or in the home.
E. M. Bounds once wrote, “The Word of God is the food by which prayer is nourished and made strong.” You can help your child pray a Bible story back to God or memorize a verse like 1 Thessalonians 5:18, which says, “Give thanks in all circumstances.” If your child is older, try using a journal. Read a verse together and turn it into a short prayer. This helps them see that prayer is more than asking for things. It is a way to respond to God’s voice.
Practical idea: Use a children’s Bible or the prayer prompts in our 36 Days in John Devotional during prayer time.
Why it matters: Scripture gives children strong and beautiful words to use in prayer. When they learn to pray from the Bible, they begin to care about what matters to God.
3. Encourage Simple, Honest, Heartfelt Prayers
Help your child see that prayer is not complicated. It is simply talking to God. Nancy Guthrie puts it this way: “Praying to God is so simple a child can do it, but grown-ups often make it needlessly complicated. God wants an honest conversation.”
Children do not need fancy language. I have noticed in my own life, if I’m not careful I pray as if I were in a Sunday service and this can actually discourage my kids from joining in. So during our family prayer time, I try to pray simply and directly. If your child only says one sentence or a single word, thank God with them and affirm it.
Martin Luther once said, “Prayer is not performance but climbing up to the heart of God.” A sincere and childlike prayer is precious to the Lord, even if it seems messy or short to us.
Practical idea: Celebrate small prayers. If your child says, “Thank You, Jesus,” say “Amen” with joy. You can also start a bedtime tradition where you gently pray a blessing over your child’s head, such as, “Lord, help [Name] be brave and kind tomorrow.”
Why it matters: When children know that God values their words, they will feel more confident and eager to pray. This leads to genuine love for God, not just a habit done out of duty.
4. Model God-Centered, Not Me-Centered Prayer
One of the most important things we can model is that prayer is about God, not just about us. If children mostly hear us ask for better grades, good weather, or more rest, they may begin to think that God exists to serve our comfort. But Jesus taught us to pray, “Your kingdom come, Your will be done” (Matthew 6:10).
David Mathis reminds us that prayer is about communion with God, not controlling our circumstances. If our children hear us praise God for who He is—His love, justice, patience—and if they hear us pray for others, for the church, and for the gospel, they will begin to see that prayer is focused on God’s glory.
Donald Whitney writes, “The Bible teaches that prayer should be primarily God-centered, not man-centered.” Of course, we can and should bring our needs to God. Jesus invites us to ask for our daily bread. But we want to help our children learn to seek God’s heart first
Practical idea: During prayer, use the famous ACTS mode which includes 5 simple movements: Adoration, praise for who God is. Confession of sin,Thanksgiving, and Supplication which is where we requests for help. You can keep each one short and simple.
Why it matters: Children naturally focus on themselves (and if we’re honest, adults aren’t much different). Praying in a God-centered way helps them learn that life is not about getting what they want. It is about becoming more like Jesus.
As you help your children learn to pray, remember this. You are not just teaching them how to talk to God. You are helping them understand why we talk to Him. Prayer is about knowing and loving our Father in heaven. Let your words, your example, and your daily rhythms point their hearts toward the God who listens.
Prayer is not a task to complete. It is a relationship to enjoy. By making prayer a regular part of family life, grounding it in Scripture, and keeping it heartfelt and God-centered, you are helping your children grow in the joy of walking with God. As Nancy Guthrie’s children’s book reminds us, “God wants us to talk to Him.” And the Bible tells us in Psalm 145:18 that He is near to all who call on Him.
To find some of the resources mentioned in the article and that we recommend to parents who want to grow in the area of prayer with their children, please click below:
Citations
Donald S. Whitney, Family Worship, Crossway, 2016.
Justin Whitmel Earley, The Common Rule: Habits of Purpose for an Age of Distraction, IVP, 2019.
Burk Parsons, “Teach Us to Pray,” Tabletalk Magazine, Ligonier Ministries, June 2016.
E.M. Bounds, The Necessity of Prayer, Whitaker House, 2006 (originally published in 1907).
Nancy Guthrie, What Every Child Should Know About Prayer, 10Publishing, 2017.
Martin Luther, quoted in A Simple Way to Pray, Fortress Press, 2000.
David Mathis, Habits of Grace: Enjoying Jesus Through the Spiritual Disciplines, Crossway, 2016.
Scripture References:
Philippians 4:6; 1 Thessalonians 5:17–18; Daniel 6:10; Mark 1:35; Matthew 6:9–13; Matthew 6:10; Psalm 145:18