Praying with kids can be more messy than holy, especially when you are just beginning to pray together, and especially when young children are involved. Know that you are not alone: hundreds of generations of Christian parents have had the same experience. Setting aside a regular time to pray together as a family is the first step towards a lifelong habit of prayer for your kids. TCK has nine strategies for getting started, plus tips for dealing with those “prayer time crazies.”
Invocations: Super-short prayers for when life gets crazy
You’ve got a baby in one arm, groceries in the other, your toddler somehow got your phone, which is ringing—quick, what do you do? When you need to pray but don’t really have time to sit down and compose yourself, an invocation might be just the ticket. Invocations (or “pious invocations”) are very short prayers—usually a phrase or sentence—that can be said once (as a quick, spontaneous prayer during stressful or busy times) or repeated over and over as a way of meditating on the presence of God.
Keep a list of family prayer intentions
Keep a list of your family’s ongoing prayer intentions on a piece of paper or a dedicated dry erase board. Post the list on your refrigerator, by the bathroom mirror, […]
9 ways to say morning prayers with your kids
When you wake up, offer your day to God—and encourage your kids to do the same with morning prayer. Here are nine ways to do it, plus the text of nine prayers typically said for morning prayer.
Lectio divina for kids: Teach your kids to pray with Scripture
Teach your kids lectio divina, the ancient practice of praying with Scripture. Here’s what to do, including a guided prayer service and resources to help.