How to Teach Your Child to Pray
From your Parenting of K-6 Children Guide

Use this project to teach your child to easily remember a model for his own personal prayer.

Difficulty Level: Easy    Time Required: 30 minutes, plus occasional reminders

1. Let your child trace his hand on a sheet of art paper.
2. Tell your child that he can use his fingers to remember how to pray.
3. Over the thumb, write "Praise".
4. Tell your child to start her prayer by praising God in words or song.
5. Over the first finger, write "Thanksgiving".
6. Tell your child that next she can thank God for something He has done.
7. Over the second finger, write "Confession".
8. Tell your child that, in prayer, it's good to tell God the things he has done wrong.
9. Over the third finger, write "Petition".
10. Tell your child that next she should ask God for the things she needs, including asking for forgiveness for the things she confessed.
11. Over the fourth finger, write "Intercession".
12. Tell your child that he can close his prayer by asking God to help others who need Him.
13. Put the picture up where it can be seen and remembered. When your child has it memorized, she will have the steps in prayer with her all the time.
    

Tips:

1. This is best for children grades four and up.
2. Reassure your child that it's OK to tell God the things he does wrong.
3. Reinforce the prayer model over time so that it becomes natural for your child to recall the steps on his fingers.

More How To's from your Guide to Parenting of K-6 Children