Any parent will agree that kids in their formative years can often be very demanding. If left on their own, kids will endlessly ask and ask for anything- toys, clothes, cartoons, baby brothers and/or sisters and a long list of other things.
It's in the nature of kids to be relentless in asking, but that isn't necessarily a bad thing. In fact, there could be a very big opportunity to teach valuable lessons through your children's endless wish list of material things and attention. Parents can take this phase in their life to teach children the importance of prayer and petition.
Although prayer is not just asking God to grant our wishes like a magical genie, asking is a vital factor in prayer. John 14:13 says, "Whatever you ask in my name, this I will do, that the Father may be glorified in the Son." God wants children to come and ask from him, but the learning does not end there. Here are other lessons kids can learn from asking God in prayer.
1. Communication
When teaching kids to pray, we teach them to talk to God. Moreover, we can also encourage our kids to listen to God as well as a return to their petitions by teaching them to read God's Word and to the counsel of older people.
2. Gratefulness
In every season, whether God answers our prayers or says "Not yet," we are to be thankful to God for what He has already done for us and who He is in our lives. Chances are your kids don't know this. That's because these kinds of lessons much often come from parents, fulfilling the role of being the primary spiritual counsellors for your children.
3. Faith
Waiting can be frustrating, maybe even more especially for children. Left to their own worldly flesh, children will resort to impatience and doing things their way. However, when guided by spiritual leaders, kids can learn a thing or two about faith. Who knows? Maybe we can learn a thing or two from our kids about faith as well in the process.
4. Obedience
When our kids have their prayers answered by a faithful God, we can encourage them to respond to God's faithfulness with obedience and surrender. Faith and obedience are the only rational responses to the love and grace of God, but it takes close guidance to direct that faith and obedience to Him who deserves our devotion.
