Developing a Love of Prayer in Your Kids

In our Welcome Center here at the Focus on the Family campus, children have the opportunity to leave their prayer requests with us.

One of my favorites is from a 9-year-old boy who wrote, “Please pray for my brother. He wets the bed. And pray for me. I share the bed with my brother.”

Some prayer requests are much more serious, like the 8-year-old boy who wanted us to ask God to help his dad stop drinking and be healthy again.

Whatever the request, it’s wonderful to see children in the beginning stages of developing an abiding faith that will carry them through life.

Parents, you play a critical role in nurturing your child’s spiritual life and fostering a prayerful attitude toward the Lord.

I applaud my wife, Jean. She has been so good at encouraging our two boys to pray. We’re proud that they are growing into praying young men.

To come alongside you in helping your children develop a love for prayer, our Focus on the Family Broadcast is a nuts-and-bolts, how-to program that will equip you with the tools to raise your children into praying young men and women.

Our guest is Dr. David Ireland, the founder and pastor of Christ Church, a large multisite ministry in New Jersey. He’s written a book titled Raising a Child Who Prays: Teaching Your Family the Power of Prayer. In it, he describes three ways that children can develop a healthy habit of daily prayer:

Set a place to pray
Set a time of prayer
Set an agenda for prayer

Our conversation with Dr. Ireland will help your children grow in their relationships with God. Tune in to “Developing a Love of Prayer in Your Kids” on your local radio station, online, on Apple Podcasts, Google Podcasts, or on our free phone app.

I’d also like to offer you Dr. Ireland’s book Raising a Child Who Prays: Teaching Your Family the Power of Prayer for a gift of any amount. And when you help Focus on the Family today with your gift, your donation will be for doubled for twice the impact in helping others through this ministry. Our thanks to generous donors who’ve made that possible. Visit our website or give us a call at 1-800-A-FAMILY (232-6459).

We also have many other resources related to marriage, parenting, and faith available in our online store.