Everything You Need To Know About Prayer Can Be Learned From A Kid

Steven Cribbs    Life     Children, kids, Prayer

Kids will say some of the most interesting things.  Sometimes it makes you cringe, sometimes it makes you want to laugh and sometimes you are just left speechless.  But, when it comes to prayer, I am often in awe of what children will say to God.

I have the awesome privilege of working with children – at home, of course, and at church.  Some of the most amazing experiences I have in these roles come when I pray with children.

Kids may say the darnedest things at the worst possible moments; but, I have also heard them say some of the most

deep, pure, real, innocent and funny thoughts when praying.  Many times I am left thinking about what I can take away to use when I “talk to God”.

Fifteen insights Learned From Children

1. It is okay to pray about anything and everything – even your pet goldfish that must be bored because all he does is swim around in circles.
2. God has a sense of humor and it is okay to laugh when you pray.
3. Prayers do not need a lot of words. In fact, if it is a group prayer, too many words will bore everyone else – either putting them to sleep or sending them into their own giggly conversation (I wonder, does that include God?).
4. You must pray about whatever just happened – even if it is the belch that the person next to you just let out.
5. It’s sometimes necessary to pray for the same thing over and over and over again (just don’t forget #4).
6. It’s okay to repeat the prayer that someone else just prayed.
7. You don’t always need real words to pray (just ask my two-year-old that prays with a mixture of words that I understand and sounds that I don’t – although, you can always decipher her “Dear Jesus”!).
8. Sometimes shouting your prayer is the best way to go and sometimes you need to say it so quietly that no one can hear you.
9. Prayer still works if you are running while you pray (just don’t run with scissors or you will be scolded).
10. You don’t need to know all the details to pray a powerful prayer for someone or some situation.
11. You can pray for your brother to be nicer to you.
12. You can pray for help being respectful to your parents (and everyone else).
13. You can pray when you are happy, sad, hurt, scared and excited.
14. You can pray for the power of God to be in you.
15. And, Talking To God Changes Things!

Thinking about the way children pray, and the words they offer, are often enough to make you laugh (or at least smile a little). Yet, there is much that we can learn about our attitude, posture, methods, subject-matter, and expectations that should surround our connection with God.

Question: What stories do you have and what have you learned from the prayers of children?  Share your story by clicking here.

If you enjoyed this article please consider sharing it!