Thumb Prayers

Teaching children to pray can be a challenging task. They're often quite keen to open their mouths and be honest with the Lord about what they want - a refreshing and, at times, amusing trait. But encouraging them to pray biblically can be a little harder.

That's where thumb prayers can come in. A simple technique to help children remember some key areas of prayer. And all you need is, well, your thumbs!

Thumbs up!

Thank you God for being great... Colossians 4:2
With thumbs in the air, encourage the children to thank God for who he is and the many good gifts he has given us.

Thumbs down!

Sorry for the times I've messed up ... 1 John 1:9
With thumbs pointing to the ground, encourage the children to say sorry to God for the times they have thought, said or done things that are not what he would want.

Thumbs out!

Please help other people to get to know you ... Matthew 6:10
With thumbs pointing out towards the outside world, encourage the children to think about their friends at school who don't know Jesus and ask God to help them get to know him better.

Thumbs in!

Please help me to become more like you ... Ephesians 3:16-19
And finally, with thumbs pointing in to their hearts, encourage the children to ask God to help them become more like Jesus ... and set them free to ask for all those other things that matter dearly to them!