Attentiveness

Kids talk with God

God is ready to help! These prayers will remind your children that God is pleased when they try to be more attentive and that He will help them develop this attribute. Alternatively, use the verses under “Scripture-guided prayer for children” as a basis for guiding your kids in prayer.

Sample prayers

Dear God, please help me to listen to Your voice when You speak to me. Amen.

Dear God, please help me to listen when my parents speak to me. Amen.

Dear God, listening is hard work. Please help me to do a good job. Amen.

Dear God, thank you that You are my shepherd. Please help me to be like a sheep who knows Your voice. Amen.

Dear God, please help me to be attentive like a ________ (select animal of your choice) when it is stalking prey. Remind me to be this focused when You, or my parents, teachers or friends, talk to me. Amen.

Dear God, please forgive me for not listening to ________ (name the person) as I should. Amen.

Dear God, I find it distracting and hard to listen when ________ (fill in the blank with an appropriate moment, e.g. “when I am playing with my toys and Mom asks me to do something”). Help me to be attentive even during difficult times. Amen.

Scripture-guided prayer for children

Read through one of the selected Scriptures under each heading and help your children pray based on the verse you read. Encourage them to listen to God and to allow His Spirit to guide them as they pray.

Character focus

Begin by letting God know how much you appreciate Him and desire to hear His voice.

1 Samuel 3:8-10 | Ecclesiastes 5:1-2Jeremiah 29:11-13 | John 10:27

Heart search

Acknowledge your lack of attentiveness to God and others.

Proverbs 12:15 | Proverbs 18:13 | James 1:19

Gratitude

Thank God for ways you have been attentive.

Personal requests

Ask God to make you, your siblings and parents, attentive to Him and others.

Proverbs 3:5-6 | Proverbs 18:15 | Isaiah 48:17-18 | John 14:26