Seeds of Prayer
“Train up a child in the way he should go, and when he is old, he will not depart from it.” Proverbs 22:6
In the early years of life, children are forming the foundation of who they are, emotionally, socially, and spiritually. Prayer during early childhood offers a gentle and meaningful way to help children feel safe, loved, and close to God.
Recently, I had the opportunity to meet with our board members and talk about faith formation and the important role it plays in our Early Childhood Education program. During that day, I was able to share how intentionally and thoughtfully faith is woven into our classrooms each day—not as a separate lesson, but as a natural part of how we care for and teach children, and what a privilege it is!
For young children, prayer is not about having the right words. It is about learning that God is always near them, that He listens and truly cares for them and their families. Through simple prayers, children learn to express thankfulness, share about their feelings, and how to care for each other. These small moments can create comfort and confidence in a world that can feel big to little hearts.
In our ECE classrooms, prayer is naturally woven into the rhythm of the day. We pray before meals, begin the morning by asking God to guide our day, pray for friends or teachers who are sick or absent. These intentional practices help children understand that prayer is a part of everyday life and something they can turn to at any time.
Children learn how to pray by watching the adults in their lives. Our teachers are modeling thoughtful, age-appropriate prayers that give children confidence to pray in their own unique way. Even a one sentence prayer can be meaningful and is heard by God.
As a school, our focus is to partner with the Christian home offering consistency in their faith journey. Prayer at home—before bed, during times of conflict or celebrating joyful moments—helps reinforce what children experience at school and strengthens their growing relationship with the Lord. These moments also help to plant seeds of faith that will grow over time, guiding children with love, hope, and a deep trust in God.
