Little Hearts, Big Faith: Teaching Children to Pray

Little Seeds, Big Fruit Series — Blog 2

September 8, 2025

Becky Chocklette

Prayer is the Water for Growing Faith

Prayer is to faith what water is to a seed — it nourishes, strengthens, and sustains growth. When parents teach children to pray, they are giving them access to the very heart of God. Prayer is not simply a religious duty; it is a living conversation with the Creator of the universe.

Too often, prayer is treated as a quick add-on before meals or bedtime. While those moments are important, they are just the beginning. Children who grow up seeing prayer as natural, relational, and powerful develop a faith that can weather the storms of life.

This blog will explore why prayer is foundational to a child’s spiritual development, how children learn prayer by example, and practical ways parents can teach their children to develop a vibrant prayer life.

Growing a Life of Prayer

1. Why Prayer Matters for Children

Prayer connects children to the living God. It teaches them that they are never alone, that they can bring their needs and fears to Him, and that He cares for them.

Jesus Himself modeled prayer for His disciples, including the youngest ones. In Matthew 6:9–13, He gave us the Lord’s Prayer as a pattern, showing that prayer is both relational (“Our Father”) and practical (“give us this day our daily bread”).

Research confirms that children who regularly engage in prayer are more likely to retain their faith into adulthood. Kara Powell and Steven Argue note that “practices of prayer and spiritual reflection become anchors for young people as they navigate the turbulence of adolescence and young adulthood.”[1]

When children learn to talk to God early, prayer becomes a natural reflex — not just a ritual — when life becomes difficult.

[1] Kara Powell and Steven Argue, Growing With: Every Parent’s Guide to Helping Teenagers and Young Adults Thrive in Their Faith, Family, and Future (Grand Rapids, MI: Baker Books, 2019), 157.

2. Children Learn Prayer by Example

Just as children learn to speak by hearing their parents, they are taught to pray when prayer is sown and lived out in the rhythms of home life.

In Luke 11:1 (NIV), the disciples asked Jesus, “Lord, teach us to pray.” They asked because they had seen Him pray. Likewise, when children observe parents talking to God regularly, prayer becomes something they want to imitate.

Matt Chandler and Adam Griffin remind us that “kids don’t just need to know that prayer is important — they need to see what it looks like to pray to a Father who listens.”[1]

This means that parents don’t need to have polished, perfect prayers. Children benefit from hearing prayers of gratitude, repentance, and even wrestling. Honest prayers teach children that God is big enough to handle our feelings, fears, and questions.

[1] Matt Chandler and Adam Griffin, Family Discipleship: Leading Your Home Through Time, Moments, & Milestones (Wheaton, IL: Crossway, 2020), 73.

3. Practical Ways to Teach Children to Pray

Prayer does not have to be complicated or intimidating. Here are practical, creative ways to teach children to develop a rich prayer life:

a) Model Simple, Honest Prayers

Speak to God naturally, the way you would speak to a loving parent. Children will imitate the tone and style they hear. Show them that prayer can be joyful, serious, or even playful.

Avoid making prayer a lecture. Short, heartfelt prayers are better for younger kids than long theological speeches.

b) Use the “ACTS” Model

Teach children a simple structure:

• Adoration – Praise God for who He is.

• Confession – Say sorry for wrong choices.

• Thanksgiving – Thank God for blessings.

• Supplication – Ask God for help for themselves and others.

This framework gives children language for talking with God while keeping prayer balanced.

c) Create a Prayer Board or Prayer Jar

Write down prayer requests on sticky notes or slips of paper. Keep them on a board or in a jar. Each night, pick a few to pray over. When prayers are answered, move them to a “God answered” section so children can see God’s faithfulness.

d) Incorporate Prayer into Daily Rhythms

Pray on the way to school, when hearing a siren, before a test, when someone is sick, or when there is something to celebrate. These “in the moment” prayers help children see prayer as an ongoing conversation rather than a scheduled event.

e) Teach Listening Prayer

Prayer is not just talking — it’s also listening. Encourage children to sit quietly for a moment and ask God to bring someone to mind to pray for or to give them wisdom. This builds sensitivity to the Holy Spirit’s leading.

f) Pray Scripture

Use verses like Philippians 4:6–7 or Psalm 23 as prayers. Show children how to insert their own names into the verses (“The Lord is my shepherd…”). 

4. Handling Prayer Struggles

Children may sometimes struggle with boredom, distraction, or doubt about prayer. Parents can help by acknowledging these challenges and gently redirecting:

• When kids are bored: Keep prayer times short and interactive. Let them draw their prayers or sing them.

• When kids are distracted: Encourage focus by holding hands, lighting a candle, or turning off screens.

• When kids wonder if prayer works: Share answered prayer stories from your life or the Bible to build their confidence that God hears.

Remember that prayer is a skill that grows with practice. Patience and persistence are key.

Encouragement to Water the Seeds

Teaching children to pray is one of the most valuable gifts a parent can give. It equips them with a lifelong habit that will sustain them through joy and sorrow.

Paul’s encouragement in Philippians 4:6–7 (NIV) reminds parents and children alike:

“Do not be anxious about anything, but in every situation, 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.”

Your consistent, everyday efforts to lead your children in prayer are like watering seeds that God will one day cause to bloom into a strong, resilient faith.

Even when you don’t see immediate results, keep watering. Little hearts are learning big faith one prayer at a time.