Teaching Your Child, the Power of Prayer

In my book, "Jeannie Ann's Grandma Has Breast Cancer," the main character, Jeannie Ann, is a six-year-old girl who discovers that her grandmother has breast cancer. After learning about the disease from her parents and grandmother, Jeannie Ann starts to pray for her grandmother's recovery, hoping her treatment will go well.

Fortunately, her grandmother's treatment went well. While she lost her hair due to chemotherapy, Jeannie is infinitely grateful that her grandmother was able to stay with her longer.

Teaching your child to pray can be a great way to introduce your child to God. Prayer, first and foremost, is a way to connect with God and establish a relationship with him. When we teach our children to trust God and start a relationship with Him, we can ensure that their spiritual journey begins well.

If you are planning to teach your child how to start the prayer, here are the crucial steps of prayer, also known as A.C.T.S.

First is adoration. Start your prayer by praising God for His grace, strength, and mercy.

Next is confession. Confess your sins, problems, anxieties, and worries. Remember, no problem is too challenging for God. Even though He already knows your problems, it helps to verbalize them to avoid emotional pain.

Next is Thanksgiving. Express gratitude for all the blessings the Lord has given, no matter how big or small.

Last but not least is supplication. This is where our spirits are ready to ask God for our needs and desires. When we ask the Lord with longing in our hearts, He considers how these wishes can benefit us in the long run. When He doesn't answer right away, there could be two reasons: (1) It's not the right time, or (2) It's not the best choice for us.

Teaching children the power of prayer ensures their spiritual growth. When we introduce them to God at an earlier age, we give them the chance to grow spiritually, thus making them well-rounded individuals with essential virtues.

by Diane Davies