Teaching children two reasons why they pray
Last of a 2-part teaching series
by Carol Hatcher
Why is the sky blue? Why do I need to get in bed? Why is Grandpa sick?
Spend any length of time with children and you’re bound to hear lots of questions. Young minds are fueled by curiosity and fed with knowledge. “For wisdom will come into your heart, and knowledge will be pleasant to your soul.” (Proverbs 2:10) Sometimes the response is simple. “Because eight o’clock is bedtime.” Other queries cannot be answered this side of Heaven.
The number of times God has listened as His children have cried out why are surely too numerous to count. Sitting in church, a young girl raised her hand to share with her Sunday school teacher. “My daddy has a tumor in his head. My mom said it was important to pray for him. You taught us God already has a plan for everything. So, I have a question. Why pray?” She smiled at his short but powerful response: “Prayer changes things!”
With their questions, kids cut to the heart of the matter. Why do we need to lift our supplications to God? Here are two great reasons your kids will love.
1. “Prayer changes things!”
Those three words are some of the most important ones you can teach your children in regards to praying. Hezekiah, the king of Judah from 715-697 B.C., had a close relationship with God when he became very ill and was at the point of death. The prophet Isaiah came to him with a message from the Lord telling him to get the affairs of his house in order because he was going to die. “You shall not recover.” (II Kings 20:1)
Upon hearing the news, Hezekiah turned his face to the wall and prayed. “ ‘Now, O Lord, please remember how I have walked before you in faithfulness and with a whole heart, and have done what is good in your sight.’ And Hezekiah wept bitterly.” (II Kings 20:3) Before Isaiah could even get out of the courtyard, God sent him back with this message. “I have heard your prayer; I have seen your tears. Behold, I will heal you.” (II Kings 20:5)
Hezekiah lived another 15 years. God heard the king’s plea and granted his wish. Does that mean God will always answer our prayers just for the asking? No. That’s not how God works. Kids must understand God isn’t like the pizza delivery person. You can’t call Him to place an order and wait expectantly for your answers in 30 minutes or less.
Sometimes getting your wish isn’t what is best. Only God knows. “For as the heavens are higher than the earth, so are my ways higher than your ways and my thoughts than your thoughts.” (Isaiah 55:9) God knows everything, and He will answer your prayers based on what’s best for you.
2. Prayer fights battles in the spiritual realm
Spiritual warfare goes on around you all the time. “For we do not wrestle against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the cosmic powers over this present darkness, against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly places.” (Ephesians 6:12) Although you may not be able to physically see the battle, you do have the ability to fight.
Kids will enjoy this example tucked in II Chronicles. “The Moabites and Ammonites, and with them some of the Meunites, came against Jehoshaphat for battle.” (II Chronicles 20:1) Jehoshaphat assembled all of Judah to seek the Lord. He cried out to God saying, “We do not know what to do, but our eyes are on you.” (II Chronicles 20:12) The Lord answered, saying, “Do not be afraid and do not be dismayed at this great horde, for the battle is not yours but God’s.” (II Chronicles 20:15)
So the next morning, Jehoshaphat and all of Jerusalem went out praising and giving thanks. “And when they began to sing and praise, the Lord set an ambush against the men of Ammon, Moab, and Mount Seir, who had come against Judah.” (II Chronicles 20:22) Notice God began to fight when they began to sing and praise.
As you pray, you are also flinging arrows at the evil one. No one is too young to fight in the army of God. So the next time the children in your family asks why they should talk to God, be prepared with your answer. Prayer changes things and fights in the spiritual realm with the devil. What better foundation can you lay for their future prayers for America and its leaders?
Carol Hatcher is a former elementary school teacher turned writer, and is a regular contributor to the Vantage Point devotional series. This southern belle lives with her husband and three children in Buford, GA.