"Train up a child in the way he should go, And when he is old he will not depart from it."
— Proverbs 22:6
Truth is, raising a child is hard, even in the best of circumstances. How do you raise your child in an environment of uncertainty? Whether its COVID-19, growing pains, or life's ups and downs, parenting has always presented challenges.
First of all, no parent is perfect, so when we take a Biblical perspective, it provides insight and advice to help us guide our children. We want our kids to be healthy and whole. This means they must be spiritually, mentally, emotionally and physically strong. We work tirelessly in training them to eat properly, exercise, have good hygiene, invest in education, yet sometimes our attention to their spiritual health falters.
Our lives reflect what we believe. If the Word is not ingrained in our hearts and followed in obedience, it is hard to raise a child who will follow Christ without "walking away". Thus, we introduce them to the tool of prayer.
Prayer is one of the most important tools you can teach your child. From an early age, a child can and should learn what it means to talk with and worship Jesus Christ. One of the best methods to teach our children how to develop a relationship with Christ, is through our own actions. All of our efforts to ensure a good education, proper manners and life skills are important however, the value of prayer is indispensable.
In this time of uncertainty, we have been blessed with the opportunity to show our children what it means to love Christ. Despite the chaos at work, on the news or at home - take this chance to make prayer a focal point in your family's life. Envision your child growing up with confidence. Confidence in their relationship with Christ, in the power of prayer and in themselves. Perhaps your son or daughter would even describe you as a praying father and mother. To know when life has thrown everything at you and then some—your solution is prayer.
Praying with your children and allowing them to lead, builds their spiritual foundation. The Lord is who they'll look to for strength and wisdom, whether life is in or out of control.
Growing up in a praying household may be new to you or didn't exist in your home. There is always an opportunity to begin cultivating a praying lifestyle for yourself and your child. The beauty of prayer is you can communicate with Christ — anytime and anywhere.
How do I teach my child to pray?
The Lord's Prayer is a perfect place to start. You can pray with them on a daily basis in the evenings, at mealtime, in the car, or before/after school.
Prayer doesn't have to be fancy; it can be simple or childlike: "Jesus, I love you. Thank you for watching over me and my family."
Model a prayer lifestyle for your child. The Power of Prayer will help them and you, navigate life thru the good, bad and everything in between.
Rest assured knowing He promised to never leave us.
If you need resources for your kids, contact our Oakdale Kids Pastor, Ginny Lee.