Enjoy this excerpt from the February issue of The Family Forum newsletter. 

Do not be anxious about anything, but in every situation, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God.  And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.  – Philippians 4:6-7

These verses holds many great truths – we don’t have to be anxious about our kids, we are invited to pray about everything, we can  petition God, thank Him and make requests to Him about anything.

And when we do, we are promised that peace will be ours.  Even if the answers are years down the road, or life is truly overwhelming – we are free to have peace now. All it takes is a good chat with God. That same peace is available to our children now and as they grow up.

Prayer really is just talking to God. And it’s never too early to start talking to God. We can talk to Him about whatever we want, whenever we want, wherever we want, and however we want.

From peaceful thank-you’s to screaming and ranting – He wants it all. And He wants the same thing from our children. Their prayers are just as powerful as ours, and all are music to the ears of the One who loves us most.

It’s all about relationship, and it’s not much of a relationship if you’re not on speaking terms, or if you’re not honest and real with one another.

The best way to encourage the prayer life of our kids is to model it for them. I’ve started praying at different times – on the way to school, before play dates, as an ambulance races by, as we drive by the mission, when a beautiful rainbow appears, when we see an answer to prayer, when we hear someone is sick, or when my boys share a problem with me. The trick for me is to remember to pray out loud, so they can hear the example I’m trying to give them.

The more I put this concept of continuous praying into action, the more it takes root in me. The benefits go beyond my children, to my own relationship with God.

It’s wonderful how that works. My kids help me grow in God as I help them grow in God. And slowly but surely we become a praying family.

Here’s a list of some of the wonderful prayer resources by Stormie O’Martian.  I’ve been using her books in my own family for years:

The Power of a Praying Woman

The Power of a Praying Wife OR Husband

The Power of a Praying Parent

Prayers and Promises for My Little Boy        (OR My Little Girl)

What Happens When I Talk to God – The Power of Prayer for Boys and Girls (ages 3-7)

The Prayer That Makes God Smile (ages 3-7)

The Power of a Praying Kid (ages 8-12)

The Power of a Praying Teen

Family Prayer

Lord, thank You that we can come and talk to You anywhere, anytime, about anything.  Thank You for listening, thank You for answering.  Help us to become a family that prays together.  Help us to leave all our worries with you.  Grant us Your peace that passes all understanding.  Help us to bring all our praises to You.  Grant us hearts full of thanksgiving.  In Jesus’ name, Amen.