A few Sundays ago we were having a prayer time at the beginning of kid’s church. During this time one of the preschoolers really caught my attention. He was going around putting his little hands on his friend’s backs and praying the sweetest prayers for each one. Once he was finished I called him over with the intention of building him up. So I told him that I thought he was a great prayer and that God really did hear him. After I said that he looked up at me and simply said “I know.” I was struck at his confidence. He needed no encouragement from me he was completely confident in his ability to pray and God’s ability to hear.
It is that confidence that many adult Christians lack. What can we do to instill Christian confidence in the kids we lead that will see them through to adulthood?
Opportunities to Practice
A high school soccer player that has been playing since 1st grade is often a more confident player then one that just started. The same is true with Christian kids. They have to be given opportunities to practice their faith or when they are all grown up they will not be confident Christians.
Encourage them
Seek out each child’s spiritual gifting and encourage them in that. For some kids it is totally obvious and others you may have to spend time in prayer asking God to reveal it to you. For example that kid that sings the loudest and does all the motions may be a leader. To encourage that leadership gift have them help you up front every once in a while.
Push them outside their Comfort Zone
For many kids praying out loud or in front of people is terrifying but if you offer to help them it is less terrifying. Praying for adults is something else kids may find stressful but once they have done it they become old pros. In my experience after kids pray for their teachers in class a couple times they go home and pray for their parents and grandparents.
