Christian parents are usually the most consistent at teaching children to pray. Meals and bedtime are great markers to remind kids to talk to God. What we are not as great at doing is teaching our children to pray without ceasing. Let’s be honest. We sometimes have a hard time doing that ourselves. We mean well, but then life gets busy and suddenly we realize it has been days since we last had a meaningful prayer time with God.
Remember the old trick of tying a string around your finger to help you remember something important? Well, here are some creative ways to help you and your kids remember to pray without ceasing.
- Buy an inexpensive white board for each bathroom and attach it to or near the mirror (you can use those easy to remove mounts). Write on the white board things your family wants to keep in prayer. While your family is doing mindless tasks like brushing their teeth or combing their hair, it will make it easier to remember to use the time talking to God.
- Place a jar and some pieces of paper on the table where you eat your meals. During the day, family members (and household visitors) can write down a prayer request and put it in the bowl. At meal times, pull the slips out to add special requests to your prayer time.
- Keep a prayer journal open next to the television remote. Have family members enter prayer requests and go back and journal how God answered previous prayers (remember “no” and “wait” are also answers). The journal will serve as a subtle reminder to talk to God before engaging in mind numbing leisure activities. (If you are using tv to “recover” from a tough day, what a better way to start that “recovery” than by asking for God’s help!)
- Hang a set of praying hands from your rearview mirror or place a card with the word “Pray” on your visor. Use the visual reminder to encourage your family to have car prayers. Whether it’s asking God to bless your children that day or praying for the people in the hospital you are driving past, the car is a great place to have prayer time.
- Have your children create a special small accessory for the members of your family to wear to remind them to pray. It should be something you will notice frequently throughout the day (but can still be worn to work or school) and remind you to pray.
- Put prayer sticky notes in hidden places throughout your house. What if Mom found a sticky note that said “Pray” when she opened the fridge to start dinner. How about Dad seeing a sticky “pray for the hungry” when he opened his tackle box while fishing. What if your son found a sticky note “pray about everything” in his geometry notebook? Be creative and even consider using prayer scriptures as ideas for notes.
Try these suggestions for awhile and see if you and your family are praying more often throughout the day. Has your family found other ways of reminding you to pray without ceasing? I would love for you to share them with us in a comment below.