I am talking about specific prayers like the Our Father, Hail Mary, Glory be. etc.
2007-04-02 02:22:59 · 37 answers · asked by dcunhaa 2 in Society & Culture ➔ Religion & Spirituality
Perhaps a better choice would be to pray from the heart. We are instructed to pray to God only, not Mary.
2007-04-02 02:29:07 · answer #1 · answered by Anonymous · 1⤊ 4⤋
I think that this is really a very personal choice, so I can only tell you what I personally do with my children.
I didn't try to teach my children a particular religion or prayer when they were very young. But as they got older, they began asking questions, and I have done my best to answer them. I personally felt that when they were old enough to ask about religion, they were old enough to seek thier own truth.
When my oldest son turned 10 he started asking me what religion I was, and what different religions believed. I explained that I was raised Mormon, and did my best to explain LDS beliefs. Then I explained why I am no longer attending that church. We went to a local bookstore and bought a book of world religions, and came home and read about the ones he recognized (Catholisism, Buddhism, and Wicca were ones he had heard of). He had a lot of questions, and I did my best to answer them. When I was stumped we used the internet. Then we did the same with several religions we had never heard of.
We both learned a lot about religion. I was surprised at what I didn't know, and how many religions I had never explored.
After we did our home research, my son asked if we could visit a few different churches together to get a more realistic view to what they practice. We've visited several so far, and plan to visit several more in the near future.
So, to sum up my rather lengthy speech, I don't believe in indoctrinating children that can't understand the concept of religion. I believe that If I tell them something as truth when they are very young, they will believe it. And that will limit thier experiences. I do not want to do that. I want them to make informed choices, and to ultimately be happy spiritually and in every other way.
2007-04-02 02:49:52 · answer #2 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
We have always held "family prayers" at our house. The entire family kneels in prayer together and our children joined in even as early as a year old. They "knelt" wit hte reast of the family and listened in as someone was the voice for the family prayer. Eventaully, they all wanted to be voice themselves at one point, and my wife helped them with some wording to say when they asked to do it.
2007-04-02 02:48:22 · answer #3 · answered by Kerry 7 · 0⤊ 1⤋
I started praying out loud over my children when they were infants. This continued until they were able to start praying with me.
We never pray canned prayers though: Mt 6:7 But when ye pray, use not vain repetitions, as the heathen do: for they think that they shall be heard for their much speaking.
This is just me and you pray however you are led to pray.
2007-04-02 02:31:49 · answer #4 · answered by Dr. Linder 4 · 1⤊ 2⤋
Teach them to listen.
Don't teach them to mumble meaningless prayers that become habits that have no real meaning.
If you love your kids teach them to be thankful for all of the God has done for us.
The best prayer is to simply say you and then ask is their anything that you want to tell me. Then teach them to listen for an answer.
Listening is the most important part. Something they neglected to tell us.
love and blessings Don
2007-04-02 02:32:08 · answer #5 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 2⤋
Probably is no real age. I remember songs and stories from when I was very little. Perhaps the prayers could be taught in the form of a bedtime song until they are old enough to understand the meaning.
2007-04-02 02:27:01 · answer #6 · answered by Rabbit 5 · 2⤊ 4⤋
as early as they can start to read. but a good prayer will be ask them to sit infront the blessed sacrament inside adoration room. that is a very good form of prayer.
2007-04-02 02:35:57 · answer #7 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 2⤋
We have been teaching our children prayers since they were 2. As soon as our daughter was able to talk and to repeat after mommy and daddy. We started with simple things like "Now I lay me down to sleep" and we've progressed to more complicated things. The most important thing we've tried to teach them, though, is that prayer is talking to God. And they can just bow their heads and have a conversation.
2007-04-02 02:28:22 · answer #8 · answered by Sharon M 6 · 1⤊ 4⤋
My daughter is 5 and she learn the Lord's prayer, and "God is Great" from us as she learned to speak. We said these prayers in per presence daily.
Basically let your children be around you when you are praying and they will learn to pray and the prayers you pray.
God Bless.
2007-04-02 02:28:30 · answer #9 · answered by Anonymous · 1⤊ 3⤋
Young, like after they start talking. THat's when my parents taught me.
And ignore all the bad answers that tell you not to teach your child. Heaven forbid anyone lets you actually raise your child in your religion! It's a good thing to teach your child to pray if that is in your religion, and no one (and I mean NO ONE) has a right to tell you not to. It's not their child, they aren't raising it. You are! Go ahead and teach your kid your religion. Lord knows, they'd teach their kids theirs.
2007-04-02 02:34:28 · answer #10 · answered by sister steph 6 · 0⤊ 2⤋
Prayer is communicating with God. My kids pray. I also let them get on the phone to talk to my parents..... I've never taught them "sentences" for when they talk to their grandparents.
Don't teach them "prayers". Teach them to pray. This is done by example - when you talk to God, do not use vain repetitions. TALK to Him.
2007-04-02 02:30:45 · answer #11 · answered by teran_realtor 7 · 1⤊ 2⤋