--- title: "A Call To Prayer" author: "Pastor Jeff Wickwire" url: "https://books.hardwired.org/27/a-call-to-prayer" --- Family Devotion 1: God Answers Prayer Time: Dinner Time Activity: Prayer Circle Instructions:After dinner, gather the family in a circle. Each family member shares one thing they want to pray about. Go around the circle and have each person say a short prayer for the person on their right. End with a group prayer, thanking God for hearing our prayers.Parenting Tip: Encourage each child to be honest and open about their prayer requests. Remind them that God listens to all prayers, big or small. Family Devotion 2: Confidence in Him Time: Bedtime Activity: Confidence Jar Instructions:Before bed, give each child a piece of paper and a pen. Ask them to write or draw something they are confident God can help them with. Place the papers in a jar labeled "Confidence in God." Pray together, asking God to help with the things in the jar.Parenting Tip: Reinforce that our confidence is in God's character and His promises. Encourage kids to add to the jar whenever they feel confident in God's help. Family Devotion 3: Waiting on God Time: During a Car Ride Activity: Waiting Game Instructions:While driving, play a game where each child shares a time they had to wait for something good. Discuss how waiting can be hard but often leads to something better. Relate it to how God sometimes asks us to wait for His perfect timing.Parenting Tip: Use this time to teach patience and trust in God's timing. Share a personal story of waiting on God to make it relatable. Family Devotion 4: Prayer as Oxygen Time: During a Walk Activity: Breathing Prayer Instructions:As you walk, practice deep breathing with the kids. With each breath in, say, "Thank you, God," and with each breath out, say, "I trust you." Explain how prayer is like breathing for our spiritual life.Parenting Tip: Encourage kids to use this breathing prayer whenever they feel anxious or need to connect with God throughout the day. Family Devotion 5: God’s Promises Time: Breakfast Activity: Promise Hunt Instructions:During breakfast, read a Bible verse that contains a promise from God (e.g., Philippians 4:19). Ask each child to find something in the house that reminds them of that promise. Share what they found and how it relates to God's promise.Parenting Tip: Make it fun and engaging. Praise their creativity and reinforce the idea that God's promises are trustworthy and true. Family Devotion 1: The Path to God's Presence Theme: Jesus created a new way for us to be close to God. Activity: During Dinner Time Scripture: Hebrews 10:19-20 Devotion:Introduction: Ask the kids if they’ve ever been on a trail or path. What was at the end of it? Explain that Jesus made a special path for us to be close to God. Discussion: Share how Jesus’ sacrifice opened a new way for us to talk to God anytime, anywhere. Prayer: As a family, thank Jesus for making a way to God. Encourage each child to say one thing they’re thankful for.Parenting Tip: Encourage kids to think of prayer as a conversation with God, just like talking to a friend. Family Devotion 2: The Power of Prayer Theme: Prayer changes things. Activity: Before Bedtime Scripture: James 5:16 Devotion:Introduction: Ask the kids if they’ve ever seen a superhero movie. What powers do superheroes have? Explain that prayer is like a superpower God gives us. Discussion: Share a simple story of a prayer that was answered in your life or from the Bible. Prayer: Have each child pray for something they care about, reminding them that God listens and answers.Parenting Tip: Encourage kids to pray about both big and small things, reinforcing that God cares about every detail of their lives. Family Devotion 3: Ask, Seek, Knock Theme: God wants us to ask Him for what we need. Activity: During a Car Ride Scripture: Matthew 7:7 Devotion:Introduction: Play a quick game of "I Spy" to engage the kids. Explain that just like we look for things in the game, God wants us to look to Him for help. Discussion: Talk about the three actions: asking, seeking, and knocking. What do they mean in our relationship with God? Prayer: Encourage each child to ask God for something they need or want to understand better.Parenting Tip: Use everyday moments to remind kids to turn to God in prayer, reinforcing that He is always there to help. Family Devotion 4: The Secret Place Theme: Finding a quiet place to pray. Activity: During Quiet Time or Reading Time Scripture: Matthew 6:6 Devotion:Introduction: Ask the kids where their favorite quiet place is. Explain that Jesus taught us to find a quiet place to talk to God. Discussion: Share how having a special place to pray can help us focus on God. Prayer: Encourage each child to find a spot in the house where they can pray quietly for a few minutes.Parenting Tip: Help kids identify a "prayer spot" in your home where they can go to talk to God whenever they need to. Family Devotion 5: God Rewards Our Faith Theme: God rewards those who seek Him. Activity: During a Family Walk Scripture: Hebrews 11:6 Devotion:Introduction: As you walk, point out things in nature that are beautiful or interesting. Explain that just like we find treasures in nature, God has treasures for us when we seek Him. Discussion: Talk about what it means to have faith and how God rewards us when we trust Him. Prayer: As you walk, take turns thanking God for the ways He has blessed your family.Parenting Tip: Encourage kids to look for "God's treasures" in their daily lives, helping them see His blessings and rewards. Family Devotion 1: The Power of Prayer Time: Dinner Time Activity: Prayer Chain Instructions:During dinner, discuss the idea that prayer is powerful and can change things. Create a "prayer chain" by cutting strips of paper and writing a prayer request on each one. Link them together to form a chain. Each family member can add a link with their prayer request. Pray together for each request, emphasizing that God hears and answers prayers.Parenting Tip: Encourage each child to think of something specific they want to pray about. Remind them that no request is too small or too big for God. Family Devotion 2: Faith in Action Time: Bedtime Activity: Faith Journal Instructions:Before bed, gather as a family and talk about what it means to have faith in Jesus. Give each child a notebook or piece of paper to start a "Faith Journal." Ask them to write or draw something they are trusting God for. Pray together, asking God to help them grow in faith.Parenting Tip: Encourage creativity. If a child prefers drawing over writing, that's great! The goal is to express their faith in a way that is meaningful to them. Family Devotion 3: Sincere Prayer Time: Morning Routine Activity: Heartfelt Prayer Instructions:During breakfast or the morning routine, discuss what it means to pray sincerely from the heart. Ask each child to think of one thing they really care about and want to talk to God about. Take turns praying out loud, focusing on being honest and sincere with God.Parenting Tip: Model sincerity by sharing something from your own heart. This shows children that it's okay to be open and honest with God. Family Devotion 4: Righteousness Through Jesus Time: Car Ride Activity: Righteousness Relay Instructions:While driving, talk about how we are made right with God through faith in Jesus, not by our own actions. Play a "Righteousness Relay" where each person shares one thing they love about Jesus and how He helps them. Discuss how Jesus' love and sacrifice make us right with God.Parenting Tip: Use simple language and examples to explain righteousness. Relate it to everyday actions, like helping a friend or being kind. Family Devotion 5: God Hears Us Time: Family Walk Activity: Nature Prayer Walk Instructions:Go for a walk as a family and talk about how God hears our prayers. As you walk, take turns pointing out things in nature and thanking God for them. Encourage each child to say a short prayer about something they see or feel.Parenting Tip: Use this time to teach children to notice God's creation and to be thankful. Encourage them to see prayer as a conversation with God, not just a list of requests. Family Devotion 1: God Blesses, We Pray Theme: Understanding God's Blessings and the Power of Prayer Suggested Time: Dinner time or during a family walk Scripture: 2 Chronicles 16:9a - "For the eyes of the Lord range throughout the earth to strengthen those whose hearts are fully committed to him." Activity:Discussion Starter: Ask the kids, "What do you think it means when we say 'God blesses'?" Encourage them to think about blessings in their lives, like family, friends, or even a sunny day. Prayer Activity: Have each family member think of one person they want to pray for. Take turns praying for that person, asking God to bless them and help them in their needs. Reflection: Share how praying for others is a way to show love and care, just like God shows His love by blessing us.Parenting Tip: Encourage your kids to think of someone outside the family to pray for, like a friend or teacher. This helps them understand the broader impact of prayer. Family Devotion 2: Standing in the Gap Theme: Intercessory Prayer Suggested Time: Bedtime or during a car ride Scripture: Ezekiel 22:30 - "I looked for someone among them who would build up the wall and stand before me in the gap on behalf of the land..." Activity:Discussion Starter: Explain what it means to "stand in the gap" for someone. Use a simple analogy, like being a bridge that connects two sides. Role Play: Have the kids act out being a bridge. One child can be "God," another can be "a friend in need," and the rest can be the "bridge" of prayer. Prayer Time: Pray together for someone who might need help or is going through a tough time, standing in the gap for them.Parenting Tip: Use this time to teach empathy by discussing how others might feel and why they need our prayers. Family Devotion 3: The Power of Persistent Prayer Theme: Never Giving Up in Prayer Suggested Time: Breakfast or while doing chores together Scripture: Luke 18:1 - "Then Jesus told his disciples a parable to show them that they should always pray and not give up." Activity:Discussion Starter: Share a story of a time when you kept trying at something and finally succeeded. Ask the kids if they have similar stories. Prayer Jar: Create a "Prayer Jar" using a jar and some paper. Write down prayer requests and place them in the jar. Each day, pull one out and pray for it. Reflection: Talk about how God hears our prayers and how important it is to keep praying, even when we don't see immediate answers.Parenting Tip: Encourage kids to add to the Prayer Jar whenever they think of someone or something that needs prayer. Family Devotion 4: Jesus Prays for Us Theme: Jesus as Our Intercessor Suggested Time: After school or during snack time Scripture: Romans 8:34 - "Christ Jesus who died...is at the right hand of God and is also interceding for us." Activity:Discussion Starter: Ask, "Did you know Jesus prays for you?" Discuss how amazing it is that Jesus cares for each of us personally. Drawing Activity: Have the kids draw a picture of Jesus praying for them. What do they think He might be saying? Prayer Time: Thank Jesus for praying for us and ask Him to help us pray for others.Parenting Tip: Reinforce the idea that Jesus is always with us and cares deeply about our lives. Family Devotion 5: Faith in Action Theme: Faith and Prayer in Action Suggested Time: During a family game night or while baking together Scripture: James 5:16b - "The prayer of a righteous person is powerful and effective." Activity:Discussion Starter: Talk about what it means for prayer to be "powerful and effective." Share examples of answered prayers. Faith Challenge: Encourage each child to think of one thing they can do this week to show their faith in action, like helping a friend or sharing a kind word. Prayer Time: Pray together, asking God to help you put your faith into action and to bless your efforts.Parenting Tip: Celebrate small acts of faith and kindness throughout the week to encourage ongoing prayer and action. Family Devotion 1: Praise and Presence Theme: Praise as the doorway to God's presence. Activity/Time: Dinner time. Devotion:Opening Question: What is something good that happened today that you want to thank God for? Read Together: "Our Father in heaven, hallowed be your name." (Matthew 6:9) Discussion: Explain that "hallowed" means holy and special. Ask each child to share one thing they think is special about God. Activity: Go around the table and have each family member say one thing they love about God. This is a way to praise Him. Prayer: Close with a simple prayer, thanking God for being our loving Father and for all the good things He does.Parenting Tip: Encourage each child to express themselves freely. Praise their contributions to build their confidence in prayer. Family Devotion 2: Purpose and Kingdom Theme: Seeking God's kingdom first. Activity/Time: During a car ride. Devotion:Opening Question: What is something you want to do when you grow up? Read Together: "Your kingdom come, your will be done on earth as it is in heaven." (Matthew 6:10) Discussion: Explain that God's kingdom is about love, kindness, and doing what is right. Ask how they can show God's love at school or with friends. Activity: As you drive, point out places where they can show kindness or help others, like a park or school. Prayer: Pray together, asking God to help them be kind and loving, bringing His kingdom to earth.Parenting Tip: Use everyday situations to highlight how they can live out God's kingdom values. Family Devotion 3: Daily Dependence Theme: Trusting God for daily needs. Activity/Time: Breakfast time. Devotion:Opening Question: What is your favorite breakfast food? Read Together: "Give us today our daily bread." (Matthew 6:11) Discussion: Talk about how God provides for our needs every day, just like breakfast gives us energy for the day. Activity: Have each child share one thing they are thankful for that God has provided. Prayer: Thank God for providing food, family, and everything they need.Parenting Tip: Reinforce gratitude by encouraging them to thank God for specific things each day. Family Devotion 4: Forgiveness and Freedom Theme: The power of forgiveness. Activity/Time: Bedtime. Devotion:Opening Question: Has anyone ever said "I'm sorry" to you? How did it make you feel? Read Together: "Forgive us our debts, as we also have forgiven our debtors." (Matthew 6:12) Discussion: Explain that forgiving others helps us feel better and keeps our hearts clean. Activity: Ask if there's anyone they need to forgive or say sorry to. Encourage them to do it the next day. Prayer: Pray for a forgiving heart and thank God for forgiving us.Parenting Tip: Model forgiveness by sharing a personal story of forgiveness and its impact. Family Devotion 5: Protection and Guidance Theme: Asking God for protection. Activity/Time: While cleaning up toys. Devotion:Opening Question: What is something you are afraid of? Read Together: "Lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from the evil one." (Matthew 6:13) Discussion: Explain that God helps us make good choices and keeps us safe. Activity: As you clean, talk about how God helps us clean up our hearts by keeping us safe from bad choices. Prayer: Ask God to protect them and help them make good choices.Parenting Tip: Encourage open communication about fears and reassure them of God's protection. Family Devotion 1: "The Little Foxes" Theme: Identifying and overcoming distractions in our spiritual life. Activity: During dinner, discuss what "little foxes" might be in your lives. These could be distractions like too much screen time or not listening to each other. Discussion Questions:What are some small things that distract us from spending time with God? How can we help each other focus more on God?Prayer: Ask God to help you identify and remove distractions from your lives. Parenting Tip: Encourage each child to share openly. Affirm their thoughts and guide them gently towards practical solutions. Family Devotion 2: "Believing God Cares" Theme: Understanding that God cares for us deeply. Activity: While getting ready for bed, have each child share one thing they are worried about. Discussion Questions:How does it feel to know that God cares about every little thing in our lives? Can you think of a time when you felt God cared for you?Prayer: Thank God for caring about every detail of your lives and ask Him to help you trust Him more. Parenting Tip: Use this time to reassure your children of God's love and care, and remind them that they can always talk to God about their worries. Family Devotion 3: "God Listens" Theme: Knowing that God hears our prayers. Activity: During a car ride, take turns saying short prayers out loud. Discussion Questions:How do you know God is listening to your prayers? Why is it important to talk to God?Prayer: Pray together, thanking God for always listening and ask Him to help you listen to Him too. Parenting Tip: Encourage your children to pray about anything, no matter how small it seems. Reinforce that God is always listening. Family Devotion 4: "God Answers" Theme: Trusting that God answers prayers in His perfect timing. Activity: While doing a household chore together, talk about a time when a prayer was answered. Discussion Questions:How did it feel when God answered your prayer? Why do you think God sometimes takes time to answer?Prayer: Ask God to help you trust His timing and thank Him for the prayers He has answered. Parenting Tip: Share a personal story of answered prayer to illustrate God's faithfulness and timing. Family Devotion 5: "How Big is Your God?" Theme: Expanding our understanding of God's greatness. Activity: During a walk or outdoor play, look at the sky and talk about how big God is. Discussion Questions:What are some things that show us how big and powerful God is? How does knowing God is big help us when we pray?Prayer: Praise God for His greatness and ask Him to help you see Him in the world around you. Parenting Tip: Use nature as a visual aid to help your children grasp the concept of God's greatness. Encourage awe and wonder in their hearts. Family Devotion 1: The Power of Agreement Theme: Unity in Prayer Activity Time: Dinner Time Scripture: Matthew 18:19 - "If two of you agree on earth about anything you pray for, it will be done for you by my Father in heaven." Activity:Discussion Starter: Ask your kids if they’ve ever worked on a team project or played a team sport. How did working together help them succeed? Prayer Activity: As a family, think of one thing you all want to pray for together. It could be a friend in need, a family goal, or something happening in the world. Prayer Time: Hold hands and take turns praying for the chosen topic, emphasizing the power of agreeing in prayer.Parenting Tip: Encourage each child to share their thoughts and remind them that God loves hearing from them, no matter how young they are. Family Devotion 2: Reaching Critical Mass Theme: Persistent Prayer Activity Time: Bedtime Routine Scripture: Acts 12:5 - "So Peter was kept in prison, but the church was earnestly praying to God for him." Activity:Discussion Starter: Share a story about a time you had to wait for something you really wanted. How did it feel? Prayer Activity: Create a "Prayer Chain" by writing down prayer requests on strips of paper and linking them together. Add a new link each night. Prayer Time: Pray over the chain, asking God to help you be patient and persistent in prayer.Parenting Tip: Encourage your kids to add to the chain whenever they think of something new to pray for, fostering a habit of ongoing prayer. Family Devotion 3: Symphony of Prayer Theme: Harmony in Prayer Activity Time: Car Ride Scripture: Ecclesiastes 4:12 - "A cord of three strands is not quickly broken." Activity:Discussion Starter: Play a short piece of music and ask your kids to listen for the different instruments. How do they work together to make a beautiful sound? Prayer Activity: As you drive, take turns saying short prayers for each other, like a musical round. Prayer Time: End with a prayer thanking God for the beauty of working together in prayer.Parenting Tip: Use this time to teach your kids that just like music, our prayers are more powerful and beautiful when we come together. Family Devotion 4: Boldness in Prayer Theme: Courage to Pray Activity Time: During Chores Scripture: Acts 4:31 - "After they prayed, the place where they were meeting was shaken. And they were all filled with the Holy Spirit and spoke the word of God boldly." Activity:Discussion Starter: Ask your kids if they’ve ever been scared to do something but did it anyway. How did they feel afterward? Prayer Activity: As you do chores together, take turns praying for boldness to share God’s love with others. Prayer Time: Pray for opportunities to be brave in sharing your faith.Parenting Tip: Encourage your kids by sharing a personal story of when you needed courage to pray or share your faith. Family Devotion 5: Waiting for the Holy Spirit Theme: Expectant Prayer Activity Time: Breakfast Scripture: Acts 1:4 - "Do not leave Jerusalem, but wait for the gift my Father promised." Activity:Discussion Starter: Talk about a time when you had to wait for a special gift. How did it feel when you finally received it? Prayer Activity: As you eat breakfast, discuss what gifts or help you are waiting for from God. Prayer Time: Pray together, asking God to help you wait patiently and expectantly for His answers.Parenting Tip: Remind your kids that God’s timing is perfect, and waiting can be a time of growth and learning. Family Devotion 1: Trust in God Time: During dinner or breakfast Activity: Trust Walk Instructions: After the meal, have one child close their eyes or wear a blindfold. Guide them around the room using only your voice. Encourage them to trust your instructions. Rotate so each child gets a turn. Discussion: Talk about how trusting God is like the trust walk. Even when we can't see what's ahead, we can trust God to guide us. Share Proverbs 3:5-6 and discuss how we can trust God in our daily lives. Parenting Tip: Encourage kids to share times when they had to trust someone. Relate it back to trusting God in everyday situations. Family Devotion 2: Delighting in God Time: During a family walk or outdoor playtime Activity: Nature Scavenger Hunt Instructions: As you walk, ask kids to find things that show God's creation (e.g., a flower, a bird, a cloud). Each time they find something, say, "God made this, and it's good!" Discussion: Discuss how we can delight in God by appreciating His creation. Read Psalm 37:4 and talk about how delighting in God means finding joy in Him and His world. Parenting Tip: Encourage kids to express what they love about God's creation. Use this as a way to teach gratitude and joy in God's presence. Family Devotion 3: Surrendering to God Time: During a family clean-up time Activity: Letting Go Instructions: As you clean, ask each child to find one toy or item they no longer use and are willing to give away. Discuss how letting go can make room for new things. Discussion: Talk about how surrendering to God is like letting go of things we don't need. Share how God wants us to trust Him with our lives and plans. Read Matthew 6:33. Parenting Tip: Encourage kids to think about what they can let go of in their hearts, like worries or fears, and give them to God. Family Devotion 4: Resting in God Time: Before bedtime Activity: Quiet Time Instructions: Dim the lights and play soft music. Encourage kids to lie down and close their eyes. Guide them in taking deep breaths and thinking about God's love. Discussion: Share Psalm 37:7 and talk about how resting in God means trusting Him to take care of us. Discuss how we can find peace by praying and thinking about God's promises. Parenting Tip: Use this time to teach kids how to pray silently and find peace in God's presence. Encourage them to share any worries they want to give to God. Family Devotion 5: God's Faithfulness Time: During a car ride Activity: Story Sharing Instructions: Ask each family member to share a story of when they saw God's faithfulness in their life. It could be a small or big moment. Discussion: Discuss how God is always faithful and keeps His promises. Read 1 Corinthians 1:9 and talk about how we can trust God to be with us in every situation. Parenting Tip: Encourage kids to look for God's faithfulness in everyday life. Remind them that God is always with them, guiding and loving them. Family Devotion 1: The Power of Perseverance Time: During dinner or a family walk Activity: Share a story about a time when you had to keep trying at something difficult, like learning to ride a bike or finishing a puzzle. Discussion: Talk about the widow in the parable who kept asking the judge for help. Ask the kids, "Why do you think she didn't give up?" Discuss how God wants us to keep praying and trusting Him, even when things are tough. Prayer: Pray together, asking God to help each family member persevere in their prayers and trust Him. Parenting Tip: Encourage kids to share their own stories of perseverance. Celebrate their efforts and remind them that God sees and hears them. Family Devotion 2: God’s Timing Time: Bedtime or while driving Activity: Play a simple game of "Wait for It." Have kids close their eyes and guess when one minute has passed. Discussion: Talk about how waiting can feel long, but God’s timing is perfect. Discuss how sometimes we have to wait for answers to our prayers, just like the widow waited for justice. Prayer: Pray for patience and trust in God’s timing. Parenting Tip: Use this time to reassure kids that waiting is part of life and God is always working, even when we can't see it. Family Devotion 3: Faith in Action Time: During a family chore time, like cleaning up Activity: As you clean, talk about how keeping things tidy takes regular effort, just like keeping our faith strong through prayer. Discussion: Discuss how prayer is like cleaning our hearts and minds, keeping them focused on God. Ask, "How can we make prayer a regular part of our day?" Prayer: Pray for a strong faith and a desire to talk to God every day. Parenting Tip: Encourage kids to think of prayer as a conversation with God, just like talking to a friend. Family Devotion 4: God’s Love and Justice Time: Snack time or during a break Activity: Use a simple snack, like crackers, to illustrate fairness. Give different amounts to each child and discuss how it feels. Discussion: Talk about how God is just and fair, and He cares about us. Discuss how the widow trusted the judge to do the right thing, and we can trust God even more. Prayer: Thank God for His love and justice, and pray for fairness in our own actions. Parenting Tip: Use this opportunity to teach about fairness and kindness in everyday interactions. Family Devotion 5: The Strength of Prayer Time: Morning routine or breakfast Activity: Have each child share one thing they want to pray about today. Discussion: Discuss how prayer gives us strength, just like breakfast gives us energy for the day. Talk about how Jesus wants us to pray and not give up. Prayer: Pray for each request shared, asking God to give strength and courage. Parenting Tip: Encourage kids to see prayer as a way to start their day with God, setting a positive tone for whatever comes their way.