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The Praying Parent
We were losing our daughter to a fatal illness. Our prayers, as well as the prayers of our families, friends, pastor and congregation, pounded at the altar of our heavenly Father in her behalf. A Miracle! She recovered!
We knew now what the Lord meant when he said, "pray continually" (1 Thessalonians 5:17). Scripture’s promises and assurance concerning prayer took on a new significance. "Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God" (Philippians 4:6). "The prayer of a righteous man is powerful and effective" (James 5:16).
The model prayer
Our Lord Jesus Christ has taught us in his own words to pray the perfect prayer, the Lord’s Prayer. How gloriously this prayer asks in simple language for god’s will to be done. Christian parents daily include this model prayer in their personal and family prayer life.
We are taught in this prayer to address God as "Our Father." We have been adopted into the family of God. Our heavenly Father has made us his children and wants us to come to him with confidence. Martin Luther explains, "God tenderly invites us to believe that he is our true Father and that we are his true children, so that we may pray to him as boldly and confidently as dear children ask their dear father." The privilege to use this endearing term "Father" has been won for us by our Redeemer, Jesus Christ, in whose name we always pray.
Teaching our children to pray
Saying prayers in not natural. It is a learned, practiced response. Little children learn the ABC’s of prayer at their parents’ knees and become proficient through daily instruction and guidance in the wonders of God’s Word. The experience of godly loving and caring in the family, coupled with the parental example of worship and talking with God, will help lead children to a deep relationship with their heavenly Father. By the grace of God, they will increasingly know, love and commune with God.
Some ways to pray with children
You may use prayers written by others, such as Luther’s morning and evening prayers.
You may compose your own prayers. Think of the various types of prayer which are found in the Bible.
- Praise and adoration: "Shout for joy to the Lord" (Psalm 100:1).
- Thanksgiving: "Always giving thanks to God the Father for everything, in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ" (Ephesians 5:20).
- Confessing sin: "God, have mercy on me, a sinner" (Luke 18:13).
- Asking for help: "Ask and it will be given you; seek and you will find; knock and the door will be opened to you" (Matthew 7:7).
- Asking God to help others: "I urge ... that requests, prayers, intercession and thanksgiving be made for everyone..." (1 Timothy 2:1).
You may teach children to think wordless ore unstructured prayers during any activity. As the hymn writer James Montgomery put it:
Prayer is the soul’s sincere desire,
Unuttered or expressed;
The motion of a hidden fire
That trembles in the breast.
When, where and how to pray
The Lord is always ready to hear our prayers whether we offer them in church, at home or in faraway vacation place. We may pray privately or with others, but never to show off. The practice of closing the eyes, bowing the head and folding the hands will help to shut out distractions, so we more easily think only about Jesus when we pray. Again Martin Luther comments, "It does not matter whether we stand, kneel or lie prostrate or lift up our eyes to heaven...all these are external matters...one should pray only with the heart,"
Some Suggestions
When families pray together, they may wish to follow these suggestions:
- PREPARE. First listen to God talk to you through regular devotions and scripture readings, especially the Psalms. Reflect on what God has said.
- PRAISE. Express your gratitude for all the gifts God gives you.
- PONDER AND CONFESS. Ask for forgiveness for sinful thought, words and deeds.
- ASK. First of all ask that your will might be conformed to God’s will even as Jesus prayed to his father, "May your will be done" (Matthew 26:42). Ask God to care for your wants and needs; to ease your problems, fears and worries; and to bless your family, friends, church, missions and those in need.
- TRUST. Be comforted and confident. Jesus has promised us, "And I will do whatever you ask in my name, so that the Son may bring glory to the father" (John 14:13). The Lord will always answer our prayers in the way that is best - for us, for others, for his own honor.
In ways like this our children will form prayer habits. Someday they will pass them on to their own children. By learning to depend on God for everything, they will not have to turn to someone else, perhaps their peers, for worldly guidance and direction.
Families that pray together will develop a close unity and will draw on God’s strength for facing life’s problems. Prayers said in family fellowship will also produce family blessings, congregational blessings, blessings for the kingdom’s work and blessings for the whole world.
Amen! "It shall be done." We pray with patience and trust, knowing that the Lord in his wisdom will answer our prayers in his way. Along with teaching them to read the Bible, leading our children into the joy of a devout prayer life is the richest heirloom we can leave them. Let us say with Joshua, "As for me and my household, we will serve the Lord" (Joshua 24:15).
Something to think about
- Look up and discuss some biblical examples of prayer: Jesus (Matthew 14:23; 26:36-42), the Lord’s Prayer (Matthew 6:5-15), Abraham (Genesis 18:16-33), Jacob wrestling with God (Genesis 32:22-30), Jairus (Mark 5:21-43), the Syrophoenician woman (Mark 7:24-30), etc.
- What and how can we improve in our own prayer lives?
- How can we focus our thoughts on God rather than offering mere lip service when praying, especially the memorized prayers?
- We have a rich heritage of hymns in our church. Which of these can be considered prayers?
- What thoughts do we want to bring to God on behalf of someone else?
Prayer
Thank you, dear Lord, for the blessing of family. We commit this family to your care. May these precious lives be kept in your loving care until they join their heavenly Father in glory. Amen.
The Family of God series is copyright © 1985 Northwestern Publishing House. and is published under the auspices of PACE (Partners Advancing Christian Education), Wisconsin Lutheran High School Conference, Milwaukee, WI. Reprinted by permission.
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