This article is adapted from material from the Children's Prayer Initiative, which aims to mobilise children's prayer and increase awareness of its significance. For the full article and much more about praying with kids, particularly for children at risk, go to www.viva.org.
PRACTICAL IDEAS FOR HELPING CHILDREN PRAY FOR OTHERS
Creative prayer environments
A godly, 'hands on' creative environment can really help children to engage with issues and to pray effectively. Children learn best when given the opportunity to experience what they are learning about. We must trust that as we create this environment the Holy Spirit will guide the children's prayers and be their teacher.
Leading children's prayer events
As leaders of children in prayer we need to pray over the event and venue, that the Lord would have his way and that we would be sensitive to whatever he lays on the children's hearts to pray. Don’t mind that children sometimes appear to be 'playing'. Be prayerful over what you observe and aware that God can use what we perceive to be play to communicate things. Let's have our ears tuned to Father and enjoy these precious times of prayer. The children's prayers are to God and not to us! (Though we have the privilege of listening in!)
Prayer stations
In setting up your prayer venue create different areas (stations) within it, so that the children can move from one to another, each with a different atmosphere, experience and stimulus for prayer.
Here are some prayer station suggestions…
PRAYER FOR STREET CHILDREN IN SOUTH AMERICA
In one corner of the room place a large cardboard box and a dustbin full of 'clean' rubbish tipped on the floor. Allow children to imagine what it must be like to only have a box for cover at night and to have to rummage through rubbish to live.
- The children might like to get in the box and pray for children in these circumstances.
- Provide a 'graffiti' wall (a large sheet of paper attached to wall), where children could write prayers to God for the street children.
- If countries or projects are known to you, provide pictures and specific information and prayer requests.
PRAYER FOR ORPHANS IN AFRICA
Focus on a country
It would be helpful to have a focus on a specific country. Make or obtain a flag, gather information about the issues that country faces, pray for the leaders of their government.
Poverty and disease
Set up a plate of very plain food (cold fried potato chips or porridge) to indicate clearly that this is often their only 'choice' of diet, and nourishment is missing.
a jug of very dirty water and a cup set at the side to show that disease is easily spread.
Basic needs
The need for water, for example, is fundamental to life and often not met.
Use a large sheet with the continent of Africa drawn on it so that children can walk, lie or sit on it as they pray
Draw water droplets large enough for children to write prayers on and let them stick them onto the map
Bereavement
Children have lost family members and parents as a result of poverty, sickness or violence. Pray that hearts would be healed and a revelation of God's love would come.
PRAYER FOR VICTIMS OF WAR
War-torn countries
It is good to focus on a country which has experienced war. Have appropriate photos available.
Effects of war
Many children are orphaned or lose homes as a result of war. Show visual images to show the devastation that war causes.
Bandages/splints/eye patches could be provided so that children can grasp the implications of disability as a result of war.
God has the ultimate victory
The utter destruction of war is horrifying and we need to pray protection over children, that this generation turns to Jesus and becomes equipped to be part of the army of God in these days. 'For we wrestle not against flesh and blood but against principalities and powers'.
Draw large swords onto card or paper
Let the children write scriptures on the swords that proclaim who God is and the victory that can be ours in HIM
Have some scriptures already written out that the children could cut out and stick on the swords
Pray the word of God (The Sword of the Spirit) into the situations known.
PRAYER FOR CHILDREN TO KNOW GOD’S LOVE
Once children really experience the love of God they very easily pray with a burden for children who have never known this.
Set up a sponge and a bowl of water and allow the children to soak the sponge with the water. In this way help them understand that God wants to soak them in his love.
Set up soft cushions or places where children can comfortably lie and allow the Lord Jesus to Love them. Encourage them to spend a good amount of time here waiting on the Lord and receiving from him.
Worshipful music could help enhance this special space.
PRAYER FOR YOUR NATION
Wherever you are based in the world it is a sad fact that there will be children around who would be considered 'at risk', through poverty, abuse, war, disease and many other factors.
Find out what the issues are in your locality or nation, and think of creative props which could be used for the children to handle and touch as they pray.
Find out the name of the government minister responsible for addressing such needs, and if possible find a photo of them, and pray for that person.
Have a flag of your nation or several small ones, set up an environment which represents your nation. What are your nation's strengths and weaknesses? Use props to symbolise these which the children could pick up and use to pray.
It may be that divorce is a big issue and children have suffered neglect or abuse through parents who have separated; have a bride's head dress or pictures of weddings. You could use pictures, or models of family units made out of modelling clay or mud. Allow the children to handle and shape these forms and pray as they do so.
PRAYER FOR CARERS
Many children at risk of harm are being cared for by organisations and projects run by Christians — local people responding to needs they see on their own doorsteps. Work with vulnerable children is of course profoundly challenging. Due to the scale of the crisis situations they face, projects frequently find themselves isolated, under-resourced, and under-trained. Kids can pray for those caring for kids in need.