Lesson Objectives:
To understand the purpose of prayer.
Find what the Scriptures have to say about prayer.
Discover how people of old prayed.
Materials:
Bible
5x7 index cards & decorated file box or shoe box
Prayer Promise Wordsheet for children 6-8 yrs. (PDF Link Found Below)
Lesson Suggestions:
If you are looking for ideas on how to teach a child to pray, we have a few to share with you. Children learn to pray by listening to their parents pray. But they learn about prayer and how to take their own first steps towards a relationship with God by looking to the Scriptures.
First, we can teach our children to pray effectively by showing them to pray in humble faith, by living in harmony with our prayers and by showing them an obedient life. Take time each day to pray with your children. Teaching children to pray will become powerful and fulfilling when they know how to pray according to God's will.
Another way we can teach our children to pray is to find what the Scriptures have to say about prayer.
We find in the New Testament a number of things for which a child can pray. Read & discuss the following:
Forgiveness (Matthew 6:12).
Wisdom (James 1:5).
The daily necessities of life (Luke 11:3).
For the sick (James 5:14).
Protection from temptation (1 Corinthians 10:13).
Deliverance from evil (2 Peter 2:9).
Help with the problems encountered in daily living (James 5:13).
Other people - Enemies (Matthew 5:44), The Lost (Romans 10:1), Authority (1 Timothy 2:1-2), Believers in Christ (Ephesians 6:18).
The effective working of the word of God (2 Thessalonians 3:1-2).
Lesson Follow Up:
As you talk to your child about the prayers found in Scripture, you can discuss how prayer is the privilege and duty of the righteous (James 5:16). And, how the eyes of the LORD are on the righteous, and His ears are open to their prayers
(1 Peter 3:12).
Hands-on Activity:
For a hands-on learning activity, have your child take three 5x7 index cards and ask him/her to write out their request and supplications one on each prayer card. If your children aren't able to print on their own yet, you can write it for them. During the days in which you are home with your child, pray with your child like the example given in Scripture, in the morning, at noon and then again at night (Psalm 55:17).
Make it a habit. Plan out the days of which you and your child will pray unto the LORD. You may have to make more cards as needed but keep a collection of their prayers in a decorated file box or shoe box. Your child can decorate the box with craft jewels and then place a sweet smelling fragrance inside (Revelation 8:3). Read your child's prayers often and be mindful to give thanks to God for answered prayer.
Memorization Tip:
We've made available one of our prayer "wordsheets" called prayer promise, which comes from 1 Peter 3:12. The scripture is written in NKJV text and children 6-8 years old find it very easy to trace. Each letter-sized wordsheet has the outline of the text for children to trace, on a pretty background.
Wordsheets are useful for memorizing Scripture by placing God's word in a child's mind in the form of copywork. Also, explaining the Scripture gives children comfort knowing when he seeks to do right God hears his prayers.
You might encourage your child to think of someone they know who may need a reminder of how our LORD keeps His eyes on the righteous and hears their prayers. This teaches a child to think outside of himself and gives him an opportunity to encourage others in the Lord. Please feel free to make as many copies as you need to teach on the subject of prayer.
Additional Book Suggestion:
As you study the topic of prayer with your older children you will find that the Bible speaks of people who prayed not only in different places & positions, but also with different types of prayer requests. For example, when Daniel prayed he got down on his knees to show his respect for God and his prayer was one of petition / supplication. In the book of Exodus, Moses was described as being upset because of Israel's worship to the golden calf. Moses fell face down before the Lord to pray with a prayer of intercession / confession for the people of Israel. In the New Testament, the apostle Paul told believers to lift up their hands as they prayed (adoration / thanksgiving).
If you have older children and want to teach them more about the different types of prayer, there is a book called "Every Prayer in the Bible" written by Larry Richards. It can be used as a family reader or for independent study. It's easy reading for ages 10 years old to adults with simple illustrations laying out every prayer and petition found in Scripture. You will find the following models of prayer: formal, public prayers; spontaneous, private prayers; prayers of complaint and deep lament; and prayers of exuberant joy and blessing.
It's an excellent resource for any home library.
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