Many children are accustomed to praying in church or even in school if they attend a Catholic school. While they may be doing it out of a structured routine, there are countless benefits of daily prayer that extend beyond meeting expectations in certain settings. Praying is more than words; it’s a powerful way to converse with God that shapes the way they see the world, interact with others and respond to challenges. Read on to learn about the power of prayer in a child’s life.
Developing a Relationship with God
There are lots of ways to forge a deeper connection with God, like reading Scripture and fellowshipping with others. The simplest, yet one of the most powerful, ways is through praying to Him daily. When children take a moment to speak with God every day, they begin to recognize His continual presence in their lives. This gives them confidence and sets a strong foundation for their faith to grow.
Turning to God for Guidance
It’s common to call on God for help when big situations arise, but it’s also important to seek His guidance in everyday decisions. By praying daily, children form the habit of turning to God for guidance in all that they do. Eventually, this becomes second nature and will stay with them as they get older, guiding their decisions as they face challenges and opportunities in school, in friendships and in their future careers.
Developing Gratitude
Prayer naturally invites children to pause and give thanks for all that God has blessed them with. As they open their prayer by giving thanks to God, a habit of practicing gratitude will naturally form. Whether that’s by thanking Him for their friends, family or even small joys throughout their day, prayer encourages children to approach life with appreciation. Over time, gratitude will become a subconscious practice.
Staying Focused and Motivated
Prayer is one of the most powerful tools to help children stay grounded during their day. From busy schedules to stressful situations, taking a moment to slow down and pray relieves tension, clears their minds and creates space for them to decompress. This simple refresh and restart has powerful impacts on their ability to focus. Motivation is a natural complement to decreased stress and anxiety, yet another benefit of daily prayer.
Loving Others
When we pray to God, we don’t just pray for ourselves; we pray for others, as well. As children incorporate daily prayers for the people around them, they develop empathy and become in tune with what others are going through. Compassion and forgiveness come more easily when they understand and care about others. Above all, praying for others is a form of loving your neighbor, which the Bible tells us is the second most important commandment behind loving God.
You can teach your child to pray for others by praying as a family and including your prayers for each other. For example, you could pray as a family for God to give courage to a family member who’s feeling anxious about something. Or you could pray for God to bring healing and strength to a family member who’s sick.
Tips for Encouraging Your Child to Pray
Helping children build a prayer habit doesn’t have to be complicated; it’s all about weaving it into their daily lives in simple, natural ways. Try setting aside prayer time during specific moments of their routine, like wake-up time, meal times and bedtime. Spark honest conversations about the importance of prayer by reading Bible stories or devotionals to help them understand why they should pray. Children may need a little extra help at first, so try giving them some starter lines or prompts.
For example, you could encourage them to start their prayers by saying:
- “Thank you for…”
- “Please help me with…”
- “Please bless my friend with…”
The most effective way to encourage your child to pray is to lead by example. Children learn by observing the adults around them, especially their parents. Be consistent in praying before meals or when your child is struggling through a challenge. When they see that your first instinct is to pray, they’re more likely to mirror that behavior.
At St. Charles Borromeo, daily prayer is integrated into our curriculum. Our Orlando Catholic school, located in the Catholic Diocese of Orlando, is committed to proclaiming the Gospel Message of Jesus Christ. We believe in teaching the whole child and want students to love learning, helping them grow into well-rounded, contributing members of society. Learn more about us by contacting us here.