How to Teach Kids to Pray: 7 Simple Ways to Pray With Your Children

"But Jesus said, Suffer little children, and forbid them not, to come unto me: for of such is the kingdom of heaven."
— Matthew 19:14 (KJV)

Maybe you've tried to pray with your kids and it went something like this: one child is upside down on the couch, another is giggling at nothing, and the little one asks if she can pray for the dog's lunch. Again. You end with a rushed "Amen" and wonder whether any of it is sinking in.

Take heart. When parents in Jesus' day brought their children to Him, the disciples tried to send them away. Jesus did the opposite. He welcomed them, and Mark tells us "he took them up in his arms, put his hands upon them, and blessed them" (Mark 10:16). Children don't have to sit perfectly still to be welcome in His presence. Neither do you.

Teaching kids to pray isn't about getting the words right. It's about helping them discover that God is a loving Father who wants to hear from them. Here are seven simple, grace-filled ways to do that at home.

Start With Who God Is: A Father Who Loves to Listen

Before kids learn how to pray, they need to know who they're talking to. Many children (and grown-ups) picture God as a stern teacher waiting for them to get something wrong. Scripture paints a different picture. Through Jesus, we have received "the Spirit of adoption, whereby we cry, Abba, Father" (Romans 8:15). God isn't a distant judge to be impressed. He is a Father who delights in His children.

1. Tell them prayer is just talking to God. Explain it simply: "Prayer is talking to God, like you talk to me. He loves you, and He's always listening." Keep it that simple, especially for little ones.

2. Let them hear you pray. Kids learn far more from what they see than from what they're told. Pray out loud in ordinary moments: in the car, over a scraped knee, when you're thankful for a sunny day. When they hear you speak to God naturally, they learn that prayer is a normal part of life, not a performance.

Takeaway: Your relaxed, honest prayers will teach more than any lesson plan.

Give Them Simple Patterns to Follow

Jesus' own disciples asked Him, "Lord, teach us to pray" (Luke 11:1). He didn't tell them to figure it out alone. He gave them a pattern: "After this manner therefore pray ye: Our Father which art in heaven, Hallowed be thy name" (Matthew 6:9). Kids benefit from simple patterns too.

3. Teach the Lord's Prayer a line at a time. Learn one phrase a week together and talk about what it means. "Give us this day our daily bread" becomes a conversation about trusting God for what we need today.

4. Try a "Thank You, Sorry, Please" prayer. This easy three-part pattern works well for children aged about four to ten:

• Thank You: "Thank You, God, for my family and for my friend at school."
• Sorry: "I'm sorry I was unkind to my brother. Thank You that Jesus forgives me."
• Please: "Please help Grandma feel better, and help me be brave tomorrow."

Notice the "Sorry" part always points back to Jesus' forgiveness. We want our kids to know they can come to God freely, not with fear. Paul encourages us to bring everything to God "by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving" (Philippians 4:6), and thankfulness is the perfect place for little hearts to begin.

For grown-ups who want to keep going deeper in their own prayer life, our post on how to pray without ceasing is a helpful companion to this one.

Build Prayer Into Everyday Family Rhythms

God told Israel to talk about His words "when thou sittest in thine house, and when thou walkest by the way, and when thou liest down, and when thou risest up" (Deuteronomy 6:7). In other words, faith grows best when it's woven into ordinary life.

5. Attach prayer to moments you already have. Mealtimes, the school run and bedtime are natural anchors. A short morning prayer can echo Psalm 5:3: "My voice shalt thou hear in the morning, O LORD." At bedtime, pray Psalm 4:8 over them: "I will both lay me down in peace, and sleep: for thou, LORD, only makest me dwell in safety." It's a beautiful verse for children who feel anxious at night.

6. Make it hands-on. Children learn through doing. Try a prayer jar filled with the names of friends and family to pull out each night, a "thank-you list" on the fridge, or drawing a picture of something they want to tell God about. Our Psalmist Kids Activity Book has printable pages for ages 4–7 that help little ones learn, play and pray, which makes it an easy way to turn a quiet afternoon into a faith moment. For more ideas, see our list of screen-free activities for kids.

Takeaway: Short and often beats long and occasional. Two minutes of real prayer each day builds a lifelong habit.

Celebrate Answers and Welcome Every Feeling

7. Keep a family "God answered" list. When you pray for something, write it down. When God answers, even in small ways, celebrate it together. Over time, your kids will have a record of God's faithfulness in their own home.

Also let your children know that they can bring any feeling to God: fear, sadness, anger or worry. Scripture invites us to be "casting all your care upon him; for he careth for you" (1 Peter 5:7). Kids don't need to tidy up their hearts before they pray. When a child prays, "God, I'm scared of the dark," that is a real and precious prayer.

And remember, there are no "silly" prayers. If your little one wants to pray for the dog's lunch, smile and let them. They're learning that God cares about everything that matters to them, and He does.

A Prayer for Your Family

Father, thank You that You love my children even more than I do. Thank You that Jesus welcomes little ones and holds them close. Teach us as a family to talk with You every day, not out of duty but out of love. Give me patience and joy as I pray with my kids. Let our home be filled with Your peace, and let my children grow up knowing that You are always listening. In Jesus' name, Amen.

Keep Going

Want a little help building these rhythms at home? These resources are made for families and busy parents who want to grow closer to Jesus together.

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