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Here is a helpful approach for teaching kids to pray. It’s a format that allows children to recall and pray in their own words for five different groups of people. All this lines up with the five fingers of their hand.
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There are a few different versions of the five-finger prayer on the Internet (here | here | here). I was unable to track down the original, so I’ve collected below what seems like the best of each version.
Teaching Kids the Five Finger Prayer
Thumb (people who are close to you) These are your close friends and family, often the first you think about when you pray. Give thanks to God and ask his protection on your parents, siblings, friends, and classmates.
Pointer (people who point the way) These are leaders in your life, such as teachers and pastors. Offer God your thanksgiving for them and ask him to help them in their important work.
Tall Finger (people in authority) The big people in the world need prayer too. Ask God to give wisdom to our government, military, and police.
Ring Finger (people who are weak) This is your weakest finger. We should remember others who are sick, live in poverty, or are treated badly. Pray that Jesus would give them new strength.
Little Finger (your own needs) God wants to hear your needs too, especially when you put others first. Pray for your own growth in mind, body, and spirit.
We would love to hear your opinion on this five-finger prayer model. Click here to leave a comment below. You can share your own version or make suggestions for teaching this to children. You might also enjoy our prayer coloring pages and simple prayers for children.
Preschool Version
After writing this post, I discovered a similar explanation from Christine Jones on her video blog. The fingers have a little different meaning, but this would be a great way to adapt this prayer for preschool aged children.
Related posts:
- Wise Men & Baby Jesus (Preschool Finger Play Song)
- Children & Prayer: What are real kids praying about?
- Lesson for Children about Prayer
- A Prayer for the Suffering Children
- Living a Life of Prayer
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Thanks for the 5 finger prayer! We are going to use it this week. I am going to have the children practice hand tracing during center time and then we will discuss the prayer at devotion time. Wonderful way to explain it to everyone…of all ages!
I like this lesson. I used it in Childrens’ Church. After the lesson I had the children trace their hand on a piece of consrtuction paper that was folded in half to make prayer hands and wrote the words on each finger. Then they cut it out and wrote a verse or prayer inside.
I love this simple way to teach children how to pray.
i must admit that I also find it useful to me, as an adult. Thank you!
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