A preschool teacher taught her young students the Lord's Prayer, and each day during the year they practiced it. One morning a three-year-old volunteered to lead the class and enthusiastically prayed, "Our Father, who Artist in heaven, Halloween be Your name. Thy Kingdom come, Thy will be done, one national under God, invisible, with livery for all. Amen!"

Who is this God we address in prayer? An Artist in heaven and our Father? With these names the little girl was right on target. The "livery for all" I'm not so sure about! But since prayer is a dialogue with God, knowing Him and His attributes is important to the prayer process.

The more children understand who God is, the more confidently they can pray. When we lead them in praying for His peace, for instance, we're not asking Him for something outside His capabilities, because Jesus is the Prince of Peace. When we ask Him to provide for a need, we do it with confidence because He is the Lord, our Provider.

Consequently, learning God's attributes and names can be an exciting boost to your child's prayer life. The Bible is a terrific resource for this endeavor. Throughout the pages of Scripture are countless snapshots of God.

For example, the Psalms declare over and over who God is and how He acts in behalf of His children: "the Lord is gracious and compassionate...holy and awesome is His name" (Ps. 111:4,9). "For the Lord is always good...his faithfulness goes on and on to each succeeding generation" (Ps. 100:5 LB). "He forgives all my sins....He surrounds me with lovingkindness and tender mercies" (Ps. 103:3). He is a God who listens (the word means straining his ears to hear) and pays attention to our prayers (Ps. 66:19 LB).

Here are some ways to help your kids know the God they are praying to:

Snapshots of God
Children can tell God they love Him by describing Him by His names. Talk about a different one during family devotion time. Read the verse and have your kids draw a picture that symbolizes this name of God:

• He is Jehovah-nissi, The Lord My Banner, and His banner over us is love (Exodus 17:15; Song of Songs 2:4).
  
• He is Jehovah-jireh, The Lord will Provide, and He knows our needs and provides for them (Gen. 22:14).
  
• He is Jehovah-shalom, The Lord is Peace, who gives us inner peace no matter what's happening around us (Judges 6:24).

For more names of God check out these verses: Psalm 23:1 (The Lord my Shepherd), Psalm 103:3, 147:3, (The Lord Who Heals), Jeremiah 23:6 (The Lord our Righteousness), Hebrews 13:6 (The Lord My Helper).

Copyright © Cheri Fuller
All rights reserved. Used by permission.