How to Teach Kids to Pray: A Simple, Heartfelt Guide for Christian Parents

-

Teaching kids to pray can feel a little intimidating at first. After all, introducing something as personal and spiritual as prayer to your child is no small thing. But for Christian parents, it’s one of the most meaningful gifts you can give—helping your children begin a lifelong relationship with God.

Whether your child is a toddler or a teen, you can teach them to pray in a way that feels natural, comforting, and personal. Here’s a simple step-by-step guide (plus bonus tips) to help you get started.

Step 1 – Lead By Example

The best way to teach prayer is by modeling it.

Let your children see you pray regularly at meals, before bed, during tough moments, or even when you’re grateful and joyful. When my girls were little, I often prayed “for” them at bedtime or dinner, keeping the language simple and heartfelt.

Invite them into the process as they grow. You might ask:

  • “Is there anything you want me to pray for?”

  • “Want to repeat after me?”

It’s also important to accept their requests, no matter how silly or small they may seem. When my oldest was a toddler, she would pray for TV characters and I let her. I didn’t try to redirect her, because I wanted her to know that God wants to hear everything on her heart, no matter how big or small.

Step 2 – Start Prompting Them to Pray

As your child becomes more familiar with prayer, start encouraging them to try it on their own. They might feel shy or unsure at first and that’s totally normal! If they’re hesitant, go back to praying in front of them and involve them by asking what they'd like you to include.

Here are a few ways to gently prompt them:

  • In emotional moments: “Do you want to ask God to help with that?”

  • During excitement: “Do you want to tell God how happy you are?”

  • With routine: Pray together at meals, before school, or at bedtime.

  • By asking for help: “Can you pray for your sister’s big test today?”

These gentle invitations make prayer feel approachable—and even fun.

Step 3 – Watch for Emotional or Spiritual Blockages

Some kids take to prayer easily. Others may struggle whether from shyness, confusion, fear, or something deeper. Pay attention to their questions or hesitations, and don’t be afraid to ask how they feel about praying.

For example:

  • Some kids feel like they don’t know the “right” words. Remind them that there’s no perfect script and that God just wants to hear their heart.

  • Others might feel scared or overwhelmed. My oldest daughter has OCD, and it made prayer very difficult at times. She developed compulsions around praying “just right” and worried something bad would happen if she messed up. So we had to work through that together, and I’ll be sharing more about our journey in future posts.

Every child is different. Be patient, loving, and attentive to their unique needs.

Bonus Tips for Teaching Prayer

Write Letters to God
Not every child is comfortable speaking prayers out loud especially at first. Encourage them to write or draw their prayers instead. “Dear God” letters or simple drawings are a beautiful way to begin the habit of talking to Him.

Make It Part of Everyday Life
Prayer doesn’t have to be formal or stiff. Let your kids see you pray in ordinary moments while driving, folding laundry, or feeling stressed. This helps them understand that prayer is a conversation, not a performance.

Celebrate Their Efforts
You don’t need to offer rewards, but you can affirm them. Let them know you’re proud of them for building their relationship with God. Point out how they feel after they pray ~ peaceful, brave, joyful and help them connect those feelings to God’s presence.

Final Thoughts

Prayer is one of the most beautiful tools you can give your child and teaching it doesn’t have to be overwhelming. Lead by example. Keep it simple. Follow their pace. And most importantly, let it be rooted in love.

If you found this helpful, be sure to check out more of my posts on parenting, faith, homeschooling, and self-care for moms. I also plan to share more on parenting kids with OCD, ADHD, and epilepsy because you’re not alone in that journey either.

Let me know in the comments: How have you helped your child learn to pray?

Comments

Post a Comment

Popular posts from this blog

A Mother’s Guide To Surviving The Newborn Phase

-
Image
As a mother of two, I know all too well how challenging the newborn phase can be. Those first few weeks (or months!) are filled with love, exhaustion, and more diaper changes than you ever imagined. So I decided it was time to create a practical guide for new mothers—a guide that walks you through what to expect and how to make it through this unique season with your sanity intact. What to Expect in the Newborn Phase According to the World Health Organization, the newborn stage officially lasts until your baby is 28 days old. Many experts, however, extend that timeline to about 12 weeks, often calling it the fourth trimester . From a parent’s perspective, most find that things start to feel easier around the three- to four-month mark. But whether it’s one month or three, this stage often brings: Frequent feedings and diaper changes (sometimes what feels like all day, every day). Interrupted sleep —your baby may sleep a lot, but not in long stretches. Emotional ups and dow...
Read more

Simplifying My Blog: Why I Switched to Blogger

-
Image
I wanted to let you know that I’ve officially moved my blog from WordPress to Blogger. I really enjoyed using WordPress, but the hosting fees were getting a bit too high for me. Switching to Blogger helps me keep things simple and affordable so I can focus on what really matters — building a supportive community of moms. My goal with this blog has always been to create a space where moms can come together, share experiences, and encourage one another. While I do plan to share some Etsy finds and affiliate links here and there, making money isn’t the main reason I’m doing this. The real reward is connecting with all of you amazing moms out there. Thank you for being part of this journey with me. I’m excited for what’s ahead!
Read more

Welcome to A Can Do Mom!

-
Image
Hi, I’m Becca — the mom behind A Can Do Mom ! I’m a Christian and lifelong nurturer who believes motherhood doesn’t have to mean losing yourself. I created this space to share encouragement, real-life tips, and honest conversations for moms who are doing their best (even when they feel like they’re barely holding it together). Over the years, I’ve worn a lot of hats — caregiver, teacher, nurse, advocate, and everything in between. I homeschooled my two daughters all the way through, and now that they’re both adults, I’ve stepped into a new season of motherhood. One of my daughters lives with anxiety, OCD, and ADHD. The other has epilepsy and severe food allergies. So when I say I understand the mental load of parenting, I really do. I started this blog to help other moms like me — women who are juggling big things, often without much support, and who still want to live with purpose, faith, and a little bit of peace. Whether I’m sharing parenting insights, home life tips, gentle discipl...
Read more