Prayer is the answer
In Faith Formation classes, no matter what question is asked, at least one student will give the answer “prayer.” And while that may not always be the answer the catechist is looking for, prayer is always the answer to whatever life situation we find ourselves in. Frustrated? Pray for patience. Angry at someone? Pray for the grace to forgive. Anxious or fearful? Pray for courage. Happy? Praise God. God is always with us. We can always call out to him in prayer.
What is Prayer?
Do we talk at God? Do we treat Him like a genie in a magic lamp? The Church teaches that prayer is the raising of one’s mind and heart to God. God calls each of us personally to encounter Him, and prayer is that loving encounter- our relationship with God. (see Part 4 of the Catechism of the Catholic Church “Christian Prayer”).
How do children learn to have this encounter with God? By how you pray. Children mirror the behaviors of their parents. If your parents didn’t model a prayerful life for you, teaching your children to pray may seem like a daunting task rather than a joy.
How do children learn to have this encounter with God? By how you pray. Children mirror the behaviors of their parents. If your parents didn’t model a prayerful life for you, teaching your children to pray may seem like a daunting task rather than a joy.
Praying together
Our faith is personal, but it’s not private. We don’t hide what we believe, and we worship together in community; so it’s important that kids learn to pray on their own, but also be comfortable praying in a group. Setting aside specific times during the day for your family to pray together is a good way not only to strengthen your family’s bond, but help your children learn to pray with others. A simple way to start doing this, is to say Grace at meal times.
Why learn memorized prayers? With traditional memorized Catholic prayers, there is the ability to pray in unity within the larger Catholic community. My family belongs to a club that celebrates and works to preserve the culture of our ancestors; when we have club dinners, we all pray “Bless us O Lord…” out loud together before the meal. Not only are we praying to God together, but there is a great sense of community by praying that simple prayer with the members of our club.
Sometimes the prayers of our heart come to us spontaneously, other times it’s a struggle. You want to pray, but you don’t seem to have the “right” words to express yourself. When we pray memorized prayers like the “Our Father” (a prayer Jesus gave us- Mt 6:9-13), knowing the words by heart frees us to lift our hearts and minds to God because we are not struggling to find the “right” words to pray. |
Teaching your children traditional memorized prayers allows everyone to fully participate in communal prayer, from the youngest to the oldest. Try pairing an older sibling with a younger one, they can help the younger child follow along during prayer time. This can also help children learn how to share the faith and foster a closeness between siblings. In addition to meal times, your family can set a specific time each day when everyone will drop what they are doing and come together in a designated spot to pray together. You can rotate who picks the prayers or Bible stories. Or you can commit to praying the Rosary, or Divine Mercy Chaplet together everyday. Whatever works for your family. It doesn’t have to be set in stone. It can change each week, month or according to the Liturgical Season.
Inspire spontaneous prayer in your children by praying throughout the day- out loud. When you are in the car and see someone by the side of the road begging- pray for them, that they will have their needs met (and give them a few dollars while you’re at it). When you hear a police siren, pray for the safety of the officer and the people he/she is going to help. When you are outside, praise God for the beauty of His creation. Often when siblings fight, parents “make them” say they are sorry even if they don’t really feel it. Spur your children to pray for each other and the grace to be forgiving...and then make them apologize to each other.
Inspire spontaneous prayer in your children by praying throughout the day- out loud. When you are in the car and see someone by the side of the road begging- pray for them, that they will have their needs met (and give them a few dollars while you’re at it). When you hear a police siren, pray for the safety of the officer and the people he/she is going to help. When you are outside, praise God for the beauty of His creation. Often when siblings fight, parents “make them” say they are sorry even if they don’t really feel it. Spur your children to pray for each other and the grace to be forgiving...and then make them apologize to each other.
Personal prayer
Encourage your children to have private prayer with God, where they can talk with Him about anything they want. Some people may have mystical experiences in prayer where they hear God speaking to them. Children (and adults) may become discouraged if they don’t "hear" God speak to them- if they don't think they've gotten an answer from God or didn’t “get” what they wanted. Assure them that God hears and answers all prayers, but in His own time and in His way- we may not get the answer we want, but the one God knows we need. And remember that God speaks to us in His sacred Word, the Holy Bible. Use the Bible when you pray and teach your children to do the same. Read a passage and meditate on it, use a verse as the response in prayer petitions, when praying the Rosary, look up the Scripture verses that pertain to each Mystery. There are many different ways to pray with the Scriptures.
God is speaking to us, and it takes practice to open our hearts to be receptive to what He is saying and grow in our relationship with Him. In short, the best way to teach your children to pray, is for your children to see you pray and for you to pray with them and for them.
God is speaking to us, and it takes practice to open our hearts to be receptive to what He is saying and grow in our relationship with Him. In short, the best way to teach your children to pray, is for your children to see you pray and for you to pray with them and for them.