by Elizabeth-Anne Lovell

It is a difficult thing, isn’t it? To pray when you can’t find the words.

Maybe you have prayed for so long you can’t think of any more words. Maybe there is so much going on that you don’t know what words to start with. Maybe you are too tired to speak.

It can be hard enough to continue to pray when the words don’t seem to flow. But… how do we encourage our children to pray when they can’t find the words either?

When I say find the words, I don’t mean the right words. We know that there is no right way to pray. No secret formula that makes God hear our prayers over someone else’s prayers.

Psalm 66 reminds us of this in verses 19-20: But God did listen! God paid attention to my prayer. Praise God, who did not ignore my prayer or withdraw God’s unfailing love from me.

God is listening, to all of us, no matter what! Can I get an amen to that?

So God is listening, always. But what happens when we aren’t sure what to say? And how do we encourage our children when they aren’t sure what to say, either?

Life is hard, I hate to tell you, and as we all know it is harder now more than ever. And no matter how much we may try to shield children, they are aware of what is going on. Spacing out at school, wearing masks, online church, limiting play dates, virtual birthday parties. Your children are experiencing this pandemic just as much as all of us.

We know God is listening and we know we need to continue to pray. So here are some helpful hints to encourage your children (and maybe yourself) to continue to pray through the hard times.

Pray scripture

If you can’t find the words yourself, use Scripture as a guide. Help your children find Bible verses that you can read as a prayer together each night or each morning.

Pray through worship

Worship can be an act of prayer! Blast your family’s favorite worship song or recite the words together as a prayer until you find the words you need.

Pray through silence

There are many wonderful teachings on the importance of silence as an act of prayer. Call it mediation, silence, contemplation, stillness, or listening for God – whatever term you use, being silent can be a form of prayer. Start off slow, with just a few minutes, and give your family some time to be reverent as they listen for God.

Ask others to pray for you

We are not called to walk this journey alone! Have your children find prayer partners as they go through a difficult time. Give them specific prayer requests and make sure they check in on your children from time to time.

Nehemiah 8:10 reminds us that the joy of the Lord is our strength! You will get through this tough time. Your children will, too. And until you can find the words again, let the joy of the Lord be your strength and try to pray in a new way together!

Elizabeth-Anne Lovell is the Associate Pastor at Generations of Grace, leading in childcare ministry as well as an Adjunct Professor at Belmont University. She is a Central Baptist Theological Seminary graduate with a heart for reaching those who feel disconnected from God or the church. She lives in Lebanon, TN with her husband Keaton and their rescue dog Obi Dog Kenobi.