Today’s verse is found in Psalm 8:2, Out of the mouths of children and infants you have ordained praise to silence the enemy. We must focus on teaching our children to pray because Jesus hears and responds to their prayers.
So much of our ministry is overseas, but once in a while we receive amazing stories right here at home. This is one of those stories which we received from a church in New England.
Their children’s leader wrote, “We have been using the TPC since January. In that short amount of time, it has led us to realize that teaching kids how to pray is something that we don’t always intentionally do! We assume they know how to pray because they have heard us, or their parents, but they haven’t necessarily been given the tools, words, or opportunities to talk to God, which is so important when learning a new skill.
Using the Prayer Covenant, the children have learned the meaning behind the words they are praying, as well as where those concepts come from in Scripture. We have seen kids sing the song, memorize the prayer and then use those prayer words as they corporately pray their ‘popcorn prayers’ to God. We have heard kids whisper their prayers and shout them out! Many prayers are for their home, their parents, their siblings, and school relationships. It has been a humbling experience to hear the innocence and the truth that is bountifully expressed by God’s precious children.
We have planted seeds of faith, not only through the prayer, but also through the Bible stories that go along with each section — using dramatic story-telling. The corresponding games help children actively play out the concepts of such things as authority, worship, dependence and compassion.
The Prayer Covenant is a program that can be offered over and over again in order for kids to delve deeper into covenantal prayer for one another while growing in their intimacy with Jesus.”
What kids are saying:
1. Will you pray with me?
2. We say the prayer covenant every night as a family before I go to bed.
3. I know that God is hearing my prayers because things are getting better at school for me, and I can be a good friend to others.
What grownups are saying:
1. The Prayer Covenant is pretty simple and straightforward. It takes big concepts like grace and commitment and makes them understandable for kids.
2. I personally have enjoyed watching the kids connect the concept to the game in the sharing time.
3. I had no idea kids could pray popcorn prayers with such depth and seriousness.
Let’s pray the children’s prayer together.
PRAYER
Dear Heavenly Father, thank you for loving me and making me one of your children. Help me love and obey you. Help me love others the way you love me. I am sorry for my sins. Wash me clean. I will praise you with all my heart. Jesus, I want to follow you as my Lord. Change me any way you want. Fill me with your Holy Spirit. Make me an instrument of your grace, truth and justice. Use me for your glory and to invite others to follow you. In Jesus name I pray, Amen.
