TEACH YOUR CHILDREN TO LOVE JEHOVAH

Skillful Parents Pray With Their Children

Your children can learn much about Jehovah by listening to  your prayers.  If they hear you give thanks to God at mealtimes and offer prayers at Bible study sessions, what conclusions might they draw?  They will likely learn that Jehovah supplies our physical needs-for which he should be thanked-and that he teaches us spiritual truths.   These are valuable lessons. -James 1:17.

However, if you pray with your family at times other than at meals and family Bible studies and if you discuss specific matters that affect you and your children, you will accomplish even more.  You will help your  children to feel that Jehovah is part of your family, that he cares deeply about you individually.  (Ephesians 6:18; 1 Peter 5:6, 7)  One father says:  "From the time our daughter was born, we prayed with her. As she grew older, we prayed about relationships issues and other matters that affected her.   Until she left home to marry, not a day went by that we did not pray together with her."  Could  you also pray with your children each day?  Could you help them view Jehovah has a Friend, who not only provides their physical and spiritual necessities but also cares about their emotional needs? -Philippians 4:6, 7.

Of course, for you to make your prayers specific, you need to know what is happening in your child's life.  Note the comments of one father who raised  two children:  "At the end of each week, I asked myself two questions:  'What things were of concern to my children this week?  And what good things happened in their world? ' "   Parents can you ask yourselves such questions and then incorporate some of the answers into the prayers you say with your children?  If you do, you will be teaching them not only to pray to Jehovah-the Hearer of prayer-but also to love  him. -Psalm 65:2.

Next time: Skillful Parents Encourage Good Study Habits

Watchtower, 2007