21 Days of Prayer for Kids
As adults take the first of the year to honor God in prayer. Rock Brook for Kids encourages parents to teach and guide their children. We have resources to support you. We provide prayer books/journals for preschool - sixth grade students. You can pick them up in the East Building at Rock Brook or print them from the links below.
The prayer journals are designed to be guided by parents. The younger the child, the more support they will need. We suggest setting a routine for prayer during these 21 days to build healthy prayer habits. Pick a few pages of the book to work through and discuss. You will also find additional prayer activities for elementary age kids at the end of this page.
Fasting is also a way to connect with Jesus. Kids are able to join a fast with modifications, and MUST be directed by parents. RBfK does not encourage complete food fasts or skipping meals for kids. We suggest "Selective" fasting or "Trade-off" fasting. Please read more about fasting below. (The Rock Brook Pray First prayer guide for adults has more information on fasting for reference.)
The prayer journals are designed to be guided by parents. The younger the child, the more support they will need. We suggest setting a routine for prayer during these 21 days to build healthy prayer habits. Pick a few pages of the book to work through and discuss. You will also find additional prayer activities for elementary age kids at the end of this page.
Fasting is also a way to connect with Jesus. Kids are able to join a fast with modifications, and MUST be directed by parents. RBfK does not encourage complete food fasts or skipping meals for kids. We suggest "Selective" fasting or "Trade-off" fasting. Please read more about fasting below. (The Rock Brook Pray First prayer guide for adults has more information on fasting for reference.)
Fasting for Kids
Fasting is giving up something for a time and a reason. Our chosen time, is at the first of the year, for 21 days. Our reason is to give up earthly things and focus on heavenly things.
Biblical fasting is not about food or losing weight, it’s about connecting with Jesus and resetting our priorities with a sacrifice. The scacrifice is giving up or trading something we do for something better AND adding a Jesus habit.
Fasting for children must always be guided and agreed upon with parents. Better yet, the whole family creates a fasting plan together.
Biblical fasting is not about food or losing weight, it’s about connecting with Jesus and resetting our priorities with a sacrifice. The scacrifice is giving up or trading something we do for something better AND adding a Jesus habit.
Fasting for children must always be guided and agreed upon with parents. Better yet, the whole family creates a fasting plan together.
Fasting: Consider the Following ...
Fasting for children should be...
- Centered on Christ.
- Age appropriate.
- Healthy for children.
- Guided by parents.
- Explained as a discipline, not a punishment.
- Modeled by the parents.
- Introduced with short periods of time or with successful support.
- Supported. If something is removed as the “fast”, parents must help kids know what to replace it with.
- Full of encouragement. Assign each person in the family an accountability partner to encourage each other.
- A planned experience. Prepare kids to have a plan when they want to do or have the chosen “fasting” item. No complaining or whining. Do this_____ instead.
Selective FastingSelective fasting means removing a specific item from your life for a specific amount of time. Depending on what you choose, and with support, older children could be successful with this. Possible ideas...
Always include a Jesus habit. 
Jesus Habit:
|
Trade-out FastingTrade-out fasting may be easiest with younger elementary kids. Have a specific plan for trading a treasured food item or activity. Look at the list we provide for ideas to get you thinking. Don’t forget to add the Jesus habit.
These are just ideas to get you thinking! sugary snack ... fruit, veggies, dip donuts or Poptarts ... cheese sticks ice-cream ... yogurt chips ... crackers and peanut butter soda ... fruit flavored water/ plain water secular music ... Christian music animation or cartoons ... biblical TV show (Right Now Media has a kid’s section) screen time ... family bible trivia game video game ... do someone else’s chore TV show ... write a note or draw a picture to encourage someone favorite toy time ... family service project movie night ... Christian movie or show social media ... family board game 
|
|
pray
read the bible use your prayer RBfK prayer book watch a biblical video listen to a Christian song read the “verse of the day” (from many bible apps) focus on a memory verse read The Lord’s Prayer talk about the weekend’s sermon read about a biblical character pray to have the Fruits of the Spirit |
Fasting References in the Bible
|
