Do you remember the first time you said a prayer aloud?
The earliest prayers I can remember were the memorized bedtime prayers I said as a young child, long before I knew what they meant, or knew the God who was listening. But listening, I believe He was. And those prayers were the first lessons I had about who God is.
As leaders in children’s ministry, the prayers and words we teach our kids make a big difference. Here you’ll find a few helpful ways to incorporate prayers, blessings, and declarations of who God is into your ministry. These are all taken from the Wonder Ink curriculum, so check out the rest of Wonder Ink for more ideas!
Prayers for Children’s Ministry
Whenever I stop and think about it, it boggles my mind that God, who made this entire universe and is immensely more powerful than anything on this earth, also knows me, and I can talk personally with Him. What an amazing truth! And what an amazing honor we have, that we get to pass on truth to the kids we love and serve.
In our kids’ ministry recently, we’ve been teaching our kids what it means to pray. It doesn’t have to be reciting formal pre-written prayers, although these can certainly be helpful. Sometimes, we can just come to God in our everyday language and talk honestly with Him. It can be a short, simple prayer for the day, or an emotional outpouring of a need and how we feel. One of the key ways to teach our kids to “pray continually” (1 Thessalonians 5:17) is to intentionally make room for prayer during our times together.
Below are a few ways we can make space for ourselves, and our kids, to pray honestly and personally with God. These can be included in lessons about prayer, or included in a regular prayer time during any other lesson.
What an amazing honor we have, that we get to pass on truth to the kids we love and serve.
Short and Simple Prayers
One way to pray is to choose a short, simple phrase (such as “I love You, God” or “God, please help [insert name here]”). Kids can repeat that phrase as they repeat an activity. For example, kids might have a snack with lots of pieces, such as small candies or crackers. Each time kids pick up a piece, before they eat it, they whisper their chosen prayer or say it silently in their heads. Another example could be to follow a path around the room or outside, and kids can pray their chosen prayer with each step.
Prayer stations: Hanging Out With Jesus
Often prayer just means being with God, spending time with Him. Prayer stations can be a great way for kids to learn to do just that. Consider offering three or four stations. There can be an art station, where kids can draw or paint a picture of Jesus doing something with them, or a picture of a prayer they want to pray. A journal station allows kids to write their thoughts, questions, and prayers. A creating station allows kinesthetic learners to build something with blocks or play dough that represents something they want to pray about or thank God for. A music station gives kids a chance to sing and dance in praise to God. You can also create other stations that might work well with your group.
Psalms
The Psalms are filled with all kinds of prayers: thanksgiving, lament, rejoicing, sorrow, pain, praise, and more. Consider choosing a Psalm from the Bible to read as an example. Then invite kids to write, or draw pictures to illustrate, their own psalms to God. These won’t be part of the Bible like the Psalms we read, but they can be a good way for us to talk with God about what’s going on in our lives, and to ask for His help and presence with us. If it’s helpful, consider offering prompts for each line of a psalm, such as, “God, You are…”, “God, I have seen You when…”, “I thank You for…,” “God, I need Your help with…,” and any additional prompts that will connect with your kids.
Blessing Your Kids
I have become more aware in recent years of the power of speaking blessings over others. An example that comes to mind is from Numbers 6:22-27, when God gave Moses the words of blessing for the priests. God told Moses that in speaking this blessing over the people of Israel, the priests would “put my name on the Israelites, and I will bless them” (6:27). Below are words of blessing that we can speak over the kids in our ministries, speaking reminders to them of God’s care and asking God to pour out His blessings on them.
As you say a blessing, encourage kids to hold their hands open in front of them with their palms up, as if they are about to receive something. You can bless kids together as a group, or you can bless them individually, saying each kid’s name at the beginning of the blessing.
Blessings for Your Children’s Ministry
- God delights in keeping His promises! May you always remember that God is never late, but is always right on time, and He will always keep His promises. May your faith grow deeper every day, and may you always believe that what God has promised will certainly come true.
- May you always remember that God loves you deeply! He created you on purpose, and you are made in His image! May you reflect God in your attitudes, words, thoughts, and actions. With the help of the Holy Spirit in you, may you be like Him, so others can see Jesus in you.
- May you trust God with all your heart. May you always remember that the Holy Spirit is with you and guides you along the path of your life. May you remember that you are never alone, no matter what you face. You are a child of God, and He is with you wherever you go.
Declaring the Wonders of God’s Truth
As we gather with other believers, there’s something special about speaking aloud the truths we have learned and declaring them boldly. It reinforces our own faith, as well as the faith of those around us.
Throughout Wonder Ink’s curriculum, kids have the opportunity to declare God’s wonder, to remember the truth of who He is and who we are in Him. Much of this declaration stays the same, while one or two lines change to connect directly with each lesson. Here, you’ll find a few of these declarations that you can use with many different lessons, with the lines that change in italics. You can say one line at a time, and kids can repeat each line after you. For additional declarations, check out the Wonder Ink curriculum!
Declaring Truth
- Thank You, God, that You are good! (Kids repeat.)
You made me on purpose, for a purpose. (Kids repeat.)
And when I follow Jesus, I am Your kid! (Kids repeat.)
You know me, love me, and lead me. (Kids repeat.)
God, nothing is too hard for You. (Kids repeat.)
Thank You for always keeping Your promises. (Kids repeat.)
My life can tell of Your wonder! (Kids repeat.) - Thank You, God, that You are good! (Kids repeat.)
You made me on purpose, for a purpose. (Kids repeat.)
And when I follow Jesus, I am Your kid! (Kids repeat.)
You know me, love me, and lead me. (Kids repeat.)
You are with me when life seems easy, (Kids repeat.)
And You are with me when I face difficult things. (Kids repeat.)
My life can tell of Your wonder! (Kids repeat.) - Thank You, God, that You are good! (Kids repeat.)
You made me on purpose, for a purpose. (Kids repeat.)
And when I follow Jesus, I am Your kid! (Kids repeat.)
You know me, love me, and lead me. (Kids repeat.)
You love talking and listening to me. (Kids repeat.)
You hear and answer my prayers. (Kids repeat.)
My life can tell of Your wonder! (Kids repeat.)
More Articles from Wonder Ink
- Known, Loved, and Led: Helping Children Know Who They Were Created to Be
- How Spiritual Practices for Kids Can Help Them Know God
- Back to School: Ideas for Sharing Truth with Kids
- God Sightings: Helping Kids Look For and Recognize God
- What Is Breath Prayer and How Can It Help Children?
Wonder Ink’s 3-year, 52-week children’s ministry curriculum offers kids space to fully find their place in God’s Big Story. Children discover they are Known by God, Loved by Jesus, and Led by the Holy Spirit.
