At the end of a long day everyone’s tired, and you’re probably nearly desperate to usher your kids to dreamland. But as a Christian parent, you also want to thank God for your blessings and help your kids learn to pray, hopefully instilling a life-long habit.
Here are seven prayers for elementary kids, but they are great for teens and adults, too! Each prayer is accompanied with a relevant Bible verse.
These prayers will give your kids a guide to follow so they can eventually create their own prayers. Each prayer follows a “4/4″ pattern of prayer (see image), where our focus is upward, downward, inward and outward.
Thank you for spending time teaching your kids to pray. Spending time in daily prayer is a vital addition to Sunday School. As it says in Proverbs 22:6, “Start children off on the right path. And even when they are old, they will not turn away from it.”
Seven Scripture Verses and Prayers for Older Kids:
“This, then, is how you should pray: ‘Our Father in heaven, hallowed be your name, your kingdom come, your will be done, on earth as it is in heaven. Give us today our daily bread. And forgive us our debts, as we also have forgiven our debtors. And lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from the evil one.’”
— Matthew 6:9-13
Dear Holy Father who lives in Heaven,
Thank you for creating our universe. I praise your name and pray your will is done in Heaven and on Earth.
Please give us food, water and a safe place to sleep. Help us love each other, even when we don’t agree. Please forgive us when we make mistakes, and thank you for not keeping score. Help us forgive those who hurt us, too.
Please keep us safe from evil and harm and thank you for loving us always and no matter what. You are our good, good Father, and we love you, too.
Amen.
“Your word is a lamp for my feet, a light on my path.”
— Psalm 119:105
Dear God,
Thank you for your amazing love. Every time I see a beautiful sunset, it reminds me of your greatness!
As I go through my days, please light my way in a world that sometimes feels dark. Help me hear your voice and know your will for me. I pray that I’ll follow your lead even when it’s hard. When I feel confused, lost or a bit stuck, please show me the way you want me to go.
Thank you for loving me just the way I am. Help me love others the way you love me.
In Jesus’ name,
Amen.
“I have told you these things, so that in me you may have peace. In this world you will have trouble. But take heart! I have overcome the world.”
—John 16:33
Hello, Jesus.
You are the creator of the universe! From the tiniest ant to the brightest star, I know you made it all, and it is amazing!
Sometimes my problems seem so big to me, like I’ll be swallowed up by them. Please help me remember there’s nothing too big for you and help me trust you with both my big and little problems.
If dark thoughts start to creep into my mind, please shine them away with your light and goodness. As you told us through the Bible, in this world we will have trouble, but you have overcome the world.
Thank you for overcoming the world and shining your light into even the darkest places. Help me shine your light, too! I love you, Jesus.
Amen.
“Be strong and courageous. Do not be afraid or terrified because of them, for the LORD your God goes with you; he will never leave you nor forsake you.”
— Deuteronomy 31:6
Dear God,
Thank you for being with me all day and everyday. You are truly my best friend.
I know that even if I feel lonely, I am not alone. You are with me, always and no matter what. I know there is nothing on Earth or in Heaven that can keep you from loving me.
I can trust that your Holy Spirit is with me, helping me and encouraging me. When I start to feel nervous or afraid, please help me feel peaceful and confident. If my friends are afraid, please help me comfort them and remind them that you love them, too.
Thank you for loving me just the way I am. Help me love others the way you love me.
In Jesus’ name,
Amen.
“Set your minds on things above, not on earthly things.”
— Colossians 3:2
Dear Father,
Thank you for loving us and wanting the best for me. You are so good to me!
I know I have many things to be thankful for. I have a great family, good food to eat and a safe place to live, but I still get jealous sometimes of what others have. I think about how happy I’d be if I had something my friends have, like a video game or special pair of shoes. Or sometimes when I’m playing sports or taking tests, I wish I was faster or smarter than I am.
Please, Father, help me focus on you and your love for me. Help me remember that you are all I need and you created me, just as I am, for your purpose and your glory.
Please forgive me for my jealousy and thank you for my many blessings. Help me be a blessing to others. I love you, God.
Amen.
“You shall love your neighbor as yourself.”
— Matthew 22:39
Hello, Jesus –
Thank you for loving me no matter what happens or what I do. I love you and praise your name!
Through your love, you show me how to love all the people in my life. But sometimes it’s hard to love someone I don’t even like. There are kids at school who are mean to me, and it’s very hard to be kind to them. Sometimes I don’t even know what to do to be a good friend.
I pray your Holy Spirit will help me be loving and kind to everyone, even if they aren’t kind to me. Help me remember that you love me even when I make bad choices. Help me love others unconditionally the way you love me.
Thank you, Jesus. I love you.
Amen.
“Trust in the Lord with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding; in all your ways submit to him, and he will make your paths straight.”
— Proverbs 3:5-6
Dear God,
Thank you for designing our spectacular world! Everywhere I look, I see your creativity and intelligence. How wondrous is your creation!
But I sometimes still have questions about how things work or why things happen the way they do. When things don’t happen the way I want them to, I get frustrated. I feel confused, disappointed or even angry.
I pray your Holy Spirit will help me trust in you with all of my heart. Help me be at peace even when I don’t understand what’s happening. Help me give all of my worries to you and rest in your constant care.
Thank you for being trustworthy. I pray I will be someone people can trust, too. I love you, Father.
Amen.
