Teaching Kids to Keep a Prayer Journal

Teaching kids to keep a prayer journal is a great way to help them develop their faith and deepen their relationship with God. A prayer journal is a special notebook where children can write down their thoughts, prayers, and reflections on their spiritual journey.

I often lead chapel at the school my children attend.  Though my children are now in Jr. High and High School I have spoken at both Elementary and Kindergarten chapel many times.   Last month I taught them the 5 Finger Prayer.  You can find that by a quick search on Pinterest.  Here’s the one I used.  

This is a great starting point for teaching your kids about prayer as well as including them in your prayer journaling or having them to create their own.  I know when I started my journaling bible my kids got super interested in it and wanted to try some of the scripture art themselves.

Teaching Kids to Keep a Prayer Journal

The following are some steps to take to help your kids get started keeping a prayer journal.

Purchase them their own journal.  There are of course great kid-friendly journals out there, or they can simply be a notebook. The most important thing to remember is that it is theirs and they need to feel secure that it is just for them and what they write in it is between them and God.

Grab them some supplies.  They can use a pencil, crayons, markers, stickers, and much more! You don’t even have to spend a lot of money. In fact you might already have supplies around your home that you can use.

Set aside time to help them journal.  You will likely want to do this some other time than your own quiet time as it might be anything but quiet, however, look at it as an opportunity to share something you love with your children as well as a time to watch them grow.  You want to encourage them in their own little prayer lives.

Further Steps to Help Your Kid Start Prayer Journaling

These steps will help your child know exactly what to do when they begin prayer journaling.  Encourage them but realize it is a process and they will get better with time.  So try not to be pushy.

To start, encourage your child to set aside some time each day to reflect on their day and their relationship with God. This could be before bed, after breakfast, or during a quiet moment in the afternoon. They should choose a quiet and comfortable place to sit, with their journal and a pen.

Once they are settled, encourage them to begin by thinking about what they are thankful for that day. This can be anything from a kind word from a friend, to a beautiful sunset they saw on their way home from school. Encourage them to write these things down, thanking God for each blessing.

Next, have them reflect on any challenges or struggles they faced that day. Encourage them to be honest with God about their feelings and thoughts. They can write down their worries, fears, or doubts, and ask God for guidance and strength to face these challenges.

Finally, have them end their prayer time with a few moments of silence, reflecting on what they have written and listening for any messages or insights that God might be sharing with them. They can end with a final prayer of gratitude and thanksgiving.

Keeping a prayer journal can help children develop a daily habit of prayer, increase their awareness of God’s presence in their lives, and deepen their faith. Encourage your child to keep their journal in a safe and special place, and to add to it regularly.