TEACHING A CHILD TO PRAY

TEACHING A CHILD TO PRAY

The beginning of the child’s prayer life is

essentially an activity. A mother might ask the

question: “When shall I begin to teach my little

child to pray?” This question should be met by

another: “When do you intend to start teaching

your little child a language?” If father and moth

er kneel down by the child’s bed long before

he can notice consciously what is happening,

the child grows up in the midst of this event:

“Mom and dad speaking to someone whom they

respect and love and cannot see.” Let your child

see you praying. Children learn by example.

Our children and grandchildren need to

understand that we, as Christian parents, talk to

God in prayer on a regular basis. Asking a bless-

ing at mealtime, prayer of anointing for illness

and prayers given at Church services provide

important examples about our relationship with

God. These illustrations become a way of life.