It was my maternal grandmother who first taught me to pray when I was three years old. I still use in my prayer some of the words and phrases she put in my tiny mouth.
A couple of years ago I was gathering a dozen little children in our Colony daily in the evening “to catch them young!” It surprised me when I found that some of these small children, though coming from Christian homes, did not know how to pray for basic needs.
Here’s a compilation of the simple prayers I taught them. These will serve as starters for the children in the school of prayer to develop conversational relationship with God. Even the adult Disciples of Christ had to be taught to pray (Lk 11:1-4).
Morning Prayer: Dear Father, I thank You for the new day. Thank You for the good sleep I had, and the protection. Help me to please You in all things today. Keep me from all evil. Give me wisdom for my studies. Bless my parents and friends. In Jesus’ Name I pray. Amen!
Evening Prayer: Heavenly Father, Thank You for keeping me safe today. Thank You for the good food and the clothing. Forgive me my sins. I commit myself to You as I go to bed. May Your angels guard over me tonight. Be with my parents and all at home. Give me sound sleep. Help me wake up tomorrow morning with Your presence. I love You. In Jesus’ Name I pray. Amen!
Prayer for Studies: Dear Father, I worship You because You are the source of all wisdom. I need Your help. Enable me to concentrate on my studies. Give me good memory power. I pray for my teachers and classmates. Bless me with good grades. I commit my future to You. Thank You Lord. In Jesus’ Name. Amen!
Prayer for Travel: Gracious Father, Thank You for protecting us wherever we go. We commit ourselves to You as we undertake this journey. May Your angels guard over us. Give us a happy time. Help us make friends with the co-passengers and tell them about Jesus. Grant us good health throughout this trip. Bring us safe home. In Jesus’ Name. Amen!
Prayer for the Nation: O God of Heaven and Earth, We worship You because all authority belongs to You. We come to You to seek Your blessing on our Nation. Forgive us our sins and heal our country. Give us godly and selfless leaders. May the light of the Gospel enter every village, town and city. Protect our Nation from wars and calamities. Let our country be known as a ‘blessed’ Nation. In Jesus’ Name. Amen! Mealtime Prayer Thank You for the world so sweet; Thank You for the food we eat; Thank You for the birds that sing; Thank You, Lord, for everything. Amen! (This is a chorus sung worldwide.)
Prayer before going to Church: Dear God, Thank You for choosing us to be Your children and making us members of Your Church. We thank You for our pastor and the members of our Church. Enable us to worship You freely today. Give us a good time of fellowship with one another. Speak to me personally through the sermon. Help me to obey You. Bless our pastor and his family. May our Church grow daily. Let our Church be a living testimony to Your Name. In Jesus’ Name I pray. Amen!
Prayer for the Sick God: our Heavenly Father, We worship You as Jehovah-Rapha. Thank You for Jesus who carried not only our sins but also our sicknesses on the Cross. We pray for those who are sick, especially in our family and circle of friends. Touch them by Your miracle power and heal them. Relieve them of their pain and suffering. Help me to thank You always for the good health I enjoy. Thank You for Your loving kindness and mercies. I bless You with all my heart. In Jesus’ Name. Amen!
Author: Dr. R. Stanley is M.Tech in soil mechanics and foundation engineering is in full time Christian service and honored a doctorate degree in Divinity by the Hindustan Bible Institute.
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