Power Tool for Parents

Every parent desires to raise healthy kids with positive habits. We feed our children nutritious foods, encourage them to exercise, and establish good sleep routines. We take our kids for check-ups with the pediatrician and dentist regularly. From homework to sports to piano practice, we guide our children, instructing them to develop daily routines that will last a lifetime.

This month, we’re going to talk about four foundational faith habits, beginning with prayer. Communicating with the ones we love builds strong relationships. This applies to our relationship with our Heavenly Father too. The more time we spend in communion with the Lord, prayer and the Bible, the better we will know God’s character and will for our lives.
Start simple. Continue to slowly add to your child’s prayer life, guiding and encouraging the practice to become the child’s. Just as your child speaks to you throughout the day, encourage him to connect with God at times other than bedtime and meals.

Providing a pattern for children to follow will keep the prayers focused and help to keep prayer time from becoming a laundry list of wants. The A.C.T.S. prayer model has been helpful in my family. Beginning with adoration, list attributes of God. Little children are capable of describing God as awesome, powerful, kind, and so on.

Confessing sins is the second step. Preparing one’s heart for a God encounter requires a clean slate. The Bible tells us when we confess our sins, God forgives us as far as the east is from the west. (Psalm 103:11-12)

Next, move into thanking God for his many blessings. When children, and adults too, take the time to count the many blessings of the Lord, gratefulness settles over the soul.

Finally, supplication can be addressed. Calling on the Name of the Lord to answer our pleas for help is an actor both submission and trust. We submit to the power of God who can do more than we can ever imagine. (Ephesians 3:20-21) We trust the Lord to do what’s in our best interests knowing our prayers may not be answered as we desire.

Here’s an example of the ACTS format.

“Lord you are awesome, powerful, loving, and merciful.” ADORATION
“I confess my sins to you… ” CONFESSION
“Thank you for…” THANKFULNESS
“Please help me to…” SUPPLICATION

As with any habit, it takes time. And most importantly, if your children see and hear you pray, there will be better chance of them doing likewise. Those little sweeties may not always do what we say, but they always do what we do! Lead your children to their knees, relying on the power of the Lord.

Now to him who is able to do immeasurably more than all we ask or imagine,
according to his power that is at work within us,
to him be glory in the church and in Christ Jesus throughout all generations,
for ever and ever! Amen.
Ephesians 3:20-21

© 2013 Becky Danielson. All rights reserved.

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