By Jennifer Landrieu, Director

Call unto me and I will answer you and show you
great and unsearchable things that you do not know.
Jeremiah 33:3

Before my children were born, I prayed for them to be healthy, happy, and have love-filled hearts. When they were born, I gave thanks for their 10 fingers and 10 toes and as they grew I prayed for God to keep them safe.

I continue to pray for my children, but my favorite part of the day is praying with them. We talk about our day over dinner and share what we’d like to ask God to help us with and give thanks for all the good that happened during our day. Sometimes it’s simple stuff like “Thank you God for the yummy hot dog at lunch.” Other times, it’s the big stuff like “God, we ask you to keep Grandpa safe during his surgery.”

Prayer is just a conversation between you and God. Children need to know that God’s there for them and can always hear their prayers. Help them get into a “prayer habit” by asking them to pray these two prayers:

  • Thanks: Psalm 136:1 – Give thanks to the Lord for he is good. His love endures forever.
    Have your child start this prayer with “God I thank you for…” (friends, family, pets, food)
  • Help: Psalm 121:2 – My help comes from the Lord who made heaven and earth.
    Have your child start this prayer with “God, I ask you for…” (healing, health, patience)

As a family, you might start a Family Thankfulness Journal! Each night, write down something each person thanked God for that day. It’ll be a wonderful family keepsake in years to come.