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The Lord’s Prayer has been a central part of my life since childhood. It has always felt so comforting. It has structure and rhythm but is poetic and simple too. It’s powerful but easy enough for even a child to remember with a little practice. It has everything a prayer should have which is why Jesus told us to “pray like this”.
When I was a kid and got scared at night I would say the Lord’s Prayer over and over until I fell asleep. It focused my mind on my powerful Father and made me feel like I was really being “delivered from evil” even though it was usually just my imagination or a shadow from one of my toys.
So a few weeks ago when my middle guy, Little Dude, started having trouble sleeping, we started learning the Lord’s Prayer. That same powerful feeling I had as a kid was recognizable in him. The first time we said it together I could see his body relax and he fell asleep easily.
It’s not a magic prayer. It’s not even word-for-word what we’re meant to recite, but a template for engaging with God in a way that aligns with His kingdom values. It reflects a heart posture that Jesus taught His followers to adopt—one of humility, reliance on God, and a desire for God’s rule and righteousness to be evident in their lives and the world. It’s a starting point for a productive prayer life. And that’s definitely something I want my children to have.
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Benefits of teaching children the Lord’s Prayer:
Teaching the Lord’s Prayer provides children with a foundational understanding of their faith. It encapsulates key aspects of Christian belief, such as the reverence for God, the coming of His Kingdom, the provision of our needs, forgiveness, and guidance in the face of temptation. Jesus said-
Pray then like this: “Our Father in heaven, hallowed be your name. Your kingdom come, your will be done, on earth as it is in heaven. Give us this day our daily bread, and forgive us our debts, as we also have forgiven our debtors. And lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil.” Matthew 6:9-13
Regularly praying the Lord’s Prayer teaches children the importance of spiritual discipline and the habit of prayer.
It is a simple yet profound way to begin developing a life-long habit of communication with God.
“Rejoice always, pray without ceasing, give thanks in all circumstances; for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus for you.” 1 Thessalonians 5:16-18
The Lord’s Prayer includes requests for guidance (“lead us not into temptation”) and forgiveness, teaching children about the importance of seeking God’s direction in their lives and the power of forgiveness.
“Be kind to one another, tenderhearted, forgiving one another, as God in Christ forgave you.” Ephesians 4:32
In times of fear or uncertainty, the familiar words of the Lord’s Prayer can offer children comfort and assurance.
It reminds them of God’s sovereignty and care for their needs.
“Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God. And the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.” Philippians 4:6-7
Through the Lord’s Prayer, children learn about the nature and character of God.
They learn to revere His name, seek His will, and trust in His provision.
“As a father shows compassion to his children, so the Lord shows compassion to those who fear him.” Psalm 103:13
Ultimately, the Lord’s Prayer is about fostering a personal relationship with God.
It teaches children that they can communicate with God personally and directly.
“Draw near to God, and he will draw near to you.” James 4:8
Here’s a simple tool for helping you teach this powerful prayer:
To help us commit the Lord’s Prayer to memory and understand its value I created a simple printable set of activities. Included in the set:
- A colorful mini poster with images for each part of the prayer.
- A matching activity
- Study pages to dive deeper into what each part of the prayer means to us. Discussion questions are included to help kids apply these concepts to their own lives. This can be split up into a daily discussion or covered easily in one sitting.
- Coloring pages corresponding to each part of the prayer.
- Verse tracing pages in print and cursive.
I’ve made the whole set available in both ESV and KJV translation to fit your families needs.
Lord’s Prayer Printable Activities
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