Teaching Your Child to Pray

Day 31

I often think about all the steps I must take to ensure Adeline chooses a life in Christ: read Bible stories, sing cutsey Christian kids songs, let her hear and see me pray, take her to church, give to others, be obedient to God, etcetera. When I "come down" from my Type-A planning for her salvation, I remember that God is in control of my daughter, having plans to prosper her. I think modeling a biblical life for her is amongst the most important things I can do. However, I truly believe the MOST significant act as a mother, in regards to her salvation, is prayer. But how do I teach HER to pray? Yesterday, I came across a Pin entitled Teaching Children to Pray: The Five Finger Prayer. The five finger prayer was created by Pope Francis and uses each finger to represent a type of prayer. I think this is a wonderful way to pray with Addie, and in time, teach her (and remind myself!) how to pray God's directives. Here's the description from Mothering From Scratch:

1. The thumb is the closest finger to you. Pray for those who are close to you. Our parents, siblings, extended family and friends.

2. The pointer finger is next. Pray for those who teach you, instruct you and heal you. They need our prayers to help them help others.

3. The following finger is the tallest. Pray for our leaders and others in authority. Pray that God grant them guidance. For children, this may be their parents, too!

4. The fourth finger is the ring finger. It is the weakest finger. Pray for the weakest among you. The hurt, the lonely, the sick. Remember what Jesus said about “the least of these”? This is where you honor Him by praying for them.

5. And finally we have our smallest finger, the smallest of all. Your pinkie should remind you to pray for yourself. We gain perspective about our own needs when we put others first. That’s why we should pray for ourselves last.

Adeline learning the five finger prayer

I love this idea from Pope Francis! However, I would like Adeline to learn to start her prayer time in thanks. I'll teach her to begin with the palm of her hand, since it's the foundation of our fingers, thanking God for the day's blessings. 

40 Day Challenge--Day 39:

Pray the five finger prayer today. If you like this idea, teach it to your children as well, adding or amending as you see fit.