How To Raise A Prayerful Child

As a parent, one of the most natural things you do is pray for your children. You pray over them when they go to sleep. You pray when they fall sick. You pray silently while they’re at school, on the road, or simply out of your sight. You do it because you know you won’t always be there to watch over them. But you trust that there is One who is always present, God, and so you pray, entrusting your children into His care and protection.

Prayer becomes your way of saying, “Lord, I can’t be everywhere, but I trust You to be.”

And while praying for your children is powerful and important, there’s another step that’s just as vital: teaching your child to pray for themselves. It’s not enough that they hear you praying for them, they must also learn to speak to God on their own.

When you only cover your child in prayer without involving them in the process, they grow under that spiritual protection, yes, but what happens when they face a moment of fear, temptation, or pain and you’re not around? Will they know where to turn? Will they know how to cry out to God in faith?

That’s why teaching your child to pray is one of the most valuable gifts you can ever give them. You are giving them a foundation they can stand on when life gets hard.

Benefits of Teaching a Child to Pray

• It cultivates gratitude. A praying child learns to notice blessings and say “thank you” to God.
• Children who pray grow into adults who pray. It becomes a natural part of their life, not something foreign or forced.
• It builds their faith in God. Prayer helps them trust that God is real, present, and listening.
• It strengthens their relationship with God. They begin to know God personally—not just through you.
• They learn calmness and peace. In tough times, they’ll know how to turn to God rather than panic.
• They seek God’s guidance. From decisions at school to friendships, prayer teaches them to lean on God’s wisdom.
• It nurtures compassion. As they pray for others, they become more aware of the needs of people around them.

6 Tips to Raise a Prayerful Child

Pray Out Loud Around Your Kids

Most people are more comfortable when they pray alone. So they often wait until they are by themselves to pray, or simply whisper a silent prayer when they feel the need. And while there’s nothing wrong with that, after all, God hears all prayers, whether silent or spoken, if you’re trying to raise a child who values prayer, you must also let them see and hear you pray.

Children are imitators. They copy what they see far more than what they’re told. If they frequently hear you praying – whether it’s a short prayer before a meal, a thank-you to God during the day, or a plea for strength in tough time – they will gradually adopt the same habit, even if they’re too young to fully understand what it all means.

Praying out loud in front of your children doesn’t have to be elaborate or formal. It could be something as simple as, “Lord, thank you for this day,” or “Please help us to stay safe today.” These small habits normalise prayer in everyday life. Over time, your children will learn that prayer is not some distant, lofty ritual, it’s a natural part of daily living and connecting with God.

Pray Consistently

If you want to raise a child who turns to prayer regularly, it starts with you. Children learn best by example. If they see that prayer is something you only turn to when things go wrong, they may adopt the same mindset. But if they observe that prayer is a constant in your life, they’re more likely to view it as an essential part of theirs too.

So, pray consistently. Pray in the morning. Pray at night. Pray when things go well and when they don’t. Pray about the little things, and the big things. Make prayer a lifestyle.

It’s easy to think that your children aren’t watching or that they don’t notice, but they do. Even when you least expect it, they’re observing. And when they see you prioritising your relationship with God through consistent prayer, that leaves a lasting impression.

When you pray regularly, you reinforce the message that prayer isn’t just for emergencies, it’s for everyday life. In doing so, you teach your children that God is not a last resort, but a constant companion.

Have a Family Devotion

While your personal devotion and quiet time with God are vital, it’s equally important to bring your children into that sacred space. Having a regular family devotion can make a huge difference in your child’s spiritual development.

Set aside a specific time each day or week where your family comes together to pray, read the Bible, and talk about God. It doesn’t have to be long or overly structured. Even 10–15 minutes a day can be impactful. During this time, you can read a short Bible passage, discuss what it means, and pray together.

When children are involved in regular family devotions, they not only become more familiar with scripture but also begin to build a personal connection with God. They start to understand why they pray, who they are praying to, and how God responds.

Family devotions also create space for spiritual bonding and open conversations. Your child might feel more comfortable asking questions about faith, prayer, or even doubts they may be harbouring. This helps you guide them through their faith journey in a loving, honest, and supportive environment.

Teach Them to Pray

It’s easy to assume that children will just know how to pray, especially if they see you doing it. But the truth is, prayer doesn’t always come naturally, especially when they’re young. There are moments even adults struggle with what to say in prayer, so imagine how much more daunting it might feel for a child.

That’s why teaching your children how to pray is so important. Start with short, simple prayers. These don’t need to be long or complicated. You can teach them a morning prayer to start their day, a bedtime prayer to end it, or a meal-time prayer to give thanks. Also, give them prayers for different emotions, like what to say when they feel scared, sad, or grateful.

You can also encourage them to talk to God like they would to a trusted friend. Let them know that they don’t always have to follow a script, prayer can be a heartfelt conversation with their Heavenly Father. The more comfortable they become with praying, the more likely they are to turn to it on their own.

Don’t forget to pray with them too. Hold their hands and guide them. Ask them what they’d like to pray about. This shows them that their thoughts and feelings matter to God, and to you.

Get Them a Prayer Journal

Once your child is able to read and write, introducing a prayer journal can be a wonderful way to deepen their personal relationship with God. This simple tool can have a lasting impact on their spiritual life.

A prayer journal allows your child to write down their thoughts, feelings, prayer requests, and even answers to prayers. This not only helps them track their spiritual growth but also shows them that prayer is a living, active part of their life. When they see prayers being answered, it strengthens their faith and encourages them to keep praying.

The journal doesn’t need to be fancy. A simple notebook will do. You can guide them by suggesting prompts like, “What am I thankful for today?” or “What do I need God’s help with?” Encourage them to date their entries so they can look back and reflect.

Another benefit of the prayer journal is that it opens a window into your child’s heart. Reading what they’ve written (with their permission) can help you better understand their fears, hopes, and dreams and pray with them more meaningfully.

Start Now

A common mistake many parents make is waiting until their children are older before involving them in spiritual activities. But the truth is, the earlier you start, the better.

Some parents assume their children are too young to understand, so they postpone introducing them to prayer. Then suddenly, when the children are teens or older, they expect them to be spiritually mature and prayerful but by then, the habit hasn’t been formed.

Start now. No matter how young your children are, you can involve them in prayer. Even toddlers can learn to close their eyes, fold their hands, and say a simple “Thank you, God.” It may seem small, but those early habits are the seeds of a strong, lasting prayer life.

The Bible says in Proverbs 22:6, “Train up a child in the way he should go, and when he is old he will not depart from it.” This timeless wisdom reminds us that the foundations we lay today will support our children for years to come.

Make prayer a part of your family’s daily rhythm, from bedtime to breakfast, from laughter to tears. Don’t wait for the perfect moment to begin; the best time to start raising a prayerful child is now.