Prayers for Family

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Tried and True Tips for Praying with Children

By: Colleen Mallette May 26th, 2025

Prayer is difficult to explain and accomplish with squirming, young children. Mass can be an hour of tension trying to get little ones to sit still and be quiet, so much so that you have trouble listening or paying attention yourself. And trying to get through a whole Rosary with children can be frustrating. As a mother of adult children, I’d like to share three tips for praying with your children that worked for us when they were young. Encourage Personal Prayer at Bedtime When our oldest was very little, I made up a short prayer for us to say together every night while tucking him into bed. It was personal and pertinent to him, easy to remember, and taught him the key components of prayer: Awe, Thanksgiving, and Intercession. It went like this: “Thank you, Lord Jesus, for another fun day. Thank you for my health, my faith, and my family, especially Daddy, Mommy, [insert names of other loved ones]. Please help with [intention]. Amen.”