How To Teach Your Child To Pray: 5 Bible Verses to Guide You

Teaching your child to pray is one of the most valuable gifts you can give them, and lays a foundation for a lifelong relationship with God. When you teach your child to pray with Bible verses, their prayers will be more powerful, helping them grow in faith. For even more encouragement in your parenting and homeschooling journey, explore our 100+ Inspirational Bible Verses for Homeschool Moms, filled with uplifting Scripture to guide and strengthen you. At the same time they will learn to claim Bible promises as they seek God’s guidance and blessing.

By introducing them to Scripture, you can show them how God invites them to talk to Him. Whether through simple prayers of thanks or heartfelt conversations with God, guiding your child in prayer will build their spiritual confidence, and strengthen their faith. In this post, we’ll look at key Bible verses about prayer and practical ways to teach your child to pray.

Why Is It Important To Teach Your Child to Pray?

Teaching kids to pray is important because it will help them feel close to God and remember He is always there for them. When they pray, they can talk to Him about anything – when they’re happy, worried, or need help. It also teaches them to trust God and remember that He loves and listens to them no matter what. The top reason though is by talking to God they develop a close, personal relationship with Him.

What Does the Bible Say About a Child’s Prayer?

Matthew 18:13 – …assuredly, I say to you, unless you are converted and become as little children, you will by no means tenter the kingdom of heaven.

Children have a special place in God’s heart. Teaching them to pray builds their faith early.

How Do I Teach My Child to Pray To God?

By making prayer a natural thing in your home and family, your kids will naturally learn to pray. Make prayer a daily habit. Pray before meals, at bedtime, or in moments of need. Encourage your children to offer simple, heartfelt prayers rather than perfect words. Let them see you praying and share how God listens to every prayer, big or small. You can also read Bible stories to them about prayer while reminding them that talking to God is like talking to a good friend who is always ready to listen.

5 Bible Verses to Teach Your Child to Pray

Teaching your kids to pray is one of the most important ways to help them grow in faith. The Bible gives us powerful verses that can help them understand the importance of prayer. By learning these Scriptures, children will grow in confidence as they talk to God. Below are verses from God’s Word that will encourage and inspire them to pray and develop their relationship with God.

What Bible Verse Teaches Children To Pray?

Luke 11:1 – Now it came to pass, as He was praying in a certain place, when He ceased, that one of His disciples said to Him, “Lord, teach us to pray, as John also taught his disciples.

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Jesus’ disciples watched Him praying, and they wanted to learn to pray. This shows us that we should encourage our kids to ask!

The Lord’s Prayer: A Model for Kids

Matthew 6:9-13 – Our Father in heaven, hallowed be your name.…

Break the Lord’s prayer down into simple parts so that your children understand how to talk to God. This shows them how easy it is to come before God with their wants, needs, and praise. We want them to see that prayer doesn’t have to be complicated, or “sound good.” It’s simply having a conversation with God.

Teaching Kids To Pray With Thanksgiving

Philippians 4:6 – Be anxious for nothing, but in everything by prayer and supplication, with thanksgiving, let your requests be made known to God.

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Teach your children that they can pray about anything and everything—fears, joys, and needs. God invites us to bring our requests to Him.

Psalm 91 Prayer for Children

Psalm 91:11 – For He shall give His angels charge over you, to keep you in all your ways.

This is a comforting verse that teaches our kids that God is always protecting them. Encourage them to say this verse when they are feeling fearful and to thank God for His promise to protect them.

Praying With Confidence

I Thessalonians 5:16-18 – Rejoice always, pray without ceasing, in everything give thanks; for this is will of God in Christ Jesus for you.

Help your kids understand that prayer isn’t something we do just once a day, or only when we want or need something. It is a lifelong conversation with God. Just like we talk to our family throughout the day, we should talk to God throughout the day.

Top Tips For Teaching Your Child to Pray Scripture

Teaching your kids to pray using Scripture helps them learn more of God’s Word, and gives them a strong foundation of faith. Start by using simple, meaningful verses and explaining how they apply to their lives daily. Have your child personalize the verses by turning them into prayers. Pray with them regularly, showing them how to pray God’s promises with confidence.

Keep it Simple and Fun

Start with short prayers, and encourage them to talk to God like they would talk to a friend. Use words that are easy to understand, and let them freely express their thoughts. The goal is to encourage them that there is no right or wrong way to pray. Pray short simple prayers with them throughout the day. Let them know God loves to hear their prayers.

Use Visual Cues or Prayer Journals

Talk to the kids about different people they want to pray for, like grandparents and other family members, friends, etc. You could make them a list with a picture of each of the people they want to pray for to help them remember. You can also use a prayer jar that has different topics. One way to do that is a different topic each day of the week. Writing prayers is a good way to encourage them to express their thoughts to God, as well.

Be a Prayer Role Model

Let your kids see you praying regularly so they learn by example. I remember coming into the kitchen every morning as a child, and seeing my mom at the table reading her Bible and praying. The fact that she was consistent about daily Bible reading and prayer showed me as a child, that this was important.

FAQ: Common Questions About Teaching Kids to Pray

Q: What if my child doesn’t want to pray?

A: Make prayer a natural, pressure-free part of everyday life. Pray out loud so they get comfortable with it. If you pray before meals, your kids will find it normal, and at some point will usually ask if they can pray.

If you pray with them at bedtime, they will want to say their own bedtime prayer.
When they are struggling, without hesitation, tell them “Let’s ask God to help you right now.”

Q: How do I help my child memorize prayer verses?

A: Memorizing Scripture is easy for kids, starting at a very young age. They have sharp minds, and can quickly memorize and repeat things that they hear often, or work on trying to learn.

Use songs to help them remember the verse
Repeat it several times with expressions, and motions to keep it fun and more memorable
Use bedtime prayers to help reinforce Scripture

Teaching your child to pray lays a foundation for a lifetime of faith. These Bible verses to teach your child to pray will help them understand the power of talking to God. Start small with simple prayers, be consistent, and watch their confidence in prayer grow.

Join them in praying the same verses and virtues with our free 30-Day Praying Biblical Virtues for Your Children challenge! You can do the study while your kids do theirs and then pray together or separately. Talking about the lesson for the day will help reinforce the truths being learned.