CHRISTIAN PARENTING

Over the last few years, I have realized the importance of helping my children establish times of prayer throughout the day. Recently, I read that it takes 21 days to build a habit and I want to encourage you, as a parent, to start some prayer habits with your children.

Praying before School: A few years back, we started a habit of praying with our children before they went to school. As we are waiting in the car at the school bus stop, we take time to pray. I usually ask them if they have any concerns about the day or if they have any prayer requests. If we have time, we might sing a praise song, before we pray. We pray for strength, wisdom, protection and health for each child, plus their prayer requests. I also include in this prayer, that God would help them to show the love of Jesus as they go about their day at school. My children actually look forward to this time. I encourage you to set a few minutes aside in the morning to pray with your children, whether it is in the car at the bus stop or at home before they rush out the door. Yes, mornings can be a very crazy time and it will take a commitment on your part as a parent, to help your children develop this morning habit of prayer and starting their day off with God.

Praying before Meals: At supper time, we try to sit down as a family for the meal. We have made it a habit to offer a pray before we eat, giving thanks for the day and for the food that God has blessed us with.

Praying at Bedtime: Many Christian parents take time to pray with their children at bed time. This is an excellent daily habit for children and parents to develop. For a parent, this requires a commitment and giving up some of your "free" time. Most of the time it will mean turning off the TV or dragging yourself away from the computer or ending a phone call, so that you can say goodnight. Possibly giving you children a kiss on their cheek, telling them that you love them and taking a few minutes to ask them how their day went. Ask your children if they have any prayer requests, concerns or fears. Then take time to pray with them. Then start your prayer off with some praise and thanksgiving to God, then lift up the prayer requests. You can pray or check with your children to see it they want to pray. This is the perfect way to end your child's day - thinking about God.

As parents, our desire should be that are children will feel comfortable in praying and that when they have a problem their first response will be to pray about it. There are many good scriptures that you can share with your children on prayer, a few are:

Jeremiah 33:3 "Call to me and I will answer you and tell you great and unsearchable things you do not know."
James 5:16 "Therefore confess your sins to each other and pray for each other so that you may be healed. The prayer of a righteous man is powerful and effective."
Philippians 4:6-7 "Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus."
I Peter 5:7 "Cast all your anxiety on him because he cares for you." Vicki Berchtold