We teach our children many things during their early, impressionable years. We teach them how to say their names, to eat with a fork, to read books, and ride their bicycles. But do we also teach them the one, most important thing they‘re going to need to make it through the rest of their lives? Do we teach them how to pray?
Let’s face it, we all want our children to make good choices and grow up to live happy, prosperous lives, right? Then don’t you think that, we as their parents owe it to them, to teach them how to do this? It all begins with the first lesson in being able to distinguish the difference between right and wrong. This is the foundation of a good upbringing by the parent and it comes from our own country’s first beginnings in our Christian heritage, the Bible. It was God who gave Moses the first recorded laws to hand down to the people in order to live happy, productive lives, also known as the 10 Commandments. It was in the Bible, where Jesus showed the disciples how we are to pray to God. You can find it in Matthew 6:5. It goes as follows:
“Our Father, who is in heaven, Holy is Your name. Your kingdom will come, Your will be done, here on earth as it is in heaven. Give us today, our daily bread, and forgive us our sins, just as we forgive those who sin against us. And lead us not, into temptation, but deliver us from all evil, Amen.”
It’s a known fact that our children learn by example. When your child is old enough to learn this prayer, it’s a good idea for you to say it every day with your child. This will show him/her that you, too, believe in it’s meaning, thus reinforcing its purpose in his/her lives. I also bought my own children Bibles that were written especially for kids. They are filled with explanations for the passages they read and help them to understand the meaning of God’s words. Together we spend time reading passages to each other and explore their messages. My children have grown up with this foundation since they were very small and have a great sense of what’s right and wrong. So far, they have made very good choices in their lives and I rest easier at night for knowing this.
By teaching your own child this simple, yet very powerful prayer, you give your child the necessary tools for communicating with God and receiving His guidance. Your child will be able to draw on God’s guidance and protection at any time, especially when you’re not there. Children need to feel safe and secure in their lives and that’s not always easy for them to do living in this, now, unsafe, and crazy world of ours. I believe it is our duty, as good parents, to give our children this lifeline to a greater power that can help them through their toughest times. It’s our duty to give them hope for a brighter future.
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