To prepare your children for a life of effective and meaningful prayer that will change their lives, the purposes of prayer should be taught and modeled often.   The four purposes of prayer are: 

These are the foundation stones for your teaching on prayer.     When you pray with your children, and you should each night, teach them that prayer helps them understand what God is doing with all His people.   Praying for others is the best way to make them realize this truth.   It puts their focus on others, which is all a part of His plan.   The disciples, as an example, found themselves in deep trouble when they did not pray for others.   In John 11, they thought only of their own needs rather than that of Lazareth.   When the pre-occupation of self happens, blindness enters the picture.   A consistent habit of praying for others helps take one’s eyes off self, thus seeing the whole picture and plan of God.   Had the disciples in John 11 prayed, they would have not hesitated to walk back to Bethany with Jesus because they would have been confident with God’s will on the situation.   They did not let their light shine in darkness as stated below in our Word text.

Teachable Moment

Prayer is the key to connecting with God’s view of circumstances, because it cast one’s concerns on others.   Read John 11 with your children, and note where the disciples failed to see God’s plan for Lazareth, Mary, and Martha.   For your teachable moment, select a room in the house that is totally dark.   Turn off all the lights, so that nothing can be seen.   In the darkness, have one of your children pray for an unsaved relative or friend.  Then turn on a flashlight and keep it on.   Then have another child or spouse pray for someone whose relationship needs to be restored.  Turn on a lamp and keep it on.   Then pray for someone who is physically afflicted.   Turn on another light and keep it on.   Pray for other impossible things (like our need for a new school site in Boise), and keep turning on lights.   When the room is all lit up explain that when we pray, things become very clear and visible.   Praying together helps the whole family see the plans of God for everyone.

Word of God

Matthew 5:14-16   ye are the light of the world. A city set on a hill cannot be hid. 15 Neither do men light a lamp, and put it under the bushel, but on the stand; and it shineth unto all that are in the house. 16 Even so let your light shine before men; that they may see your good works, and glorify your Father who is in heaven World,  If you walk in darkness you stumble

John 11:8-12   8 The disciples say unto him, Rabbi, the Jews were but now seeking to stone thee; and goest thou thither again? 9 Jesus answered, Are there not twelve hours in the day? If a man walks in the day, he stumbleth not, because he seeth the light of this world. 10 But if a man walk in the night, he stumbleth, because the light is not in him. 11 These things spake he: and after this he saith unto them, Our friend Lazarus is fallen asleep; but I go, that I may awake him out of sleep.