After first examining our own prayer lives, we can take these action steps.

Set a good example.

Children learn by watching others. When they see and hear Dad and Mom pray more often than just at mealtime or bedtime, children will learn that God is approachable, that He is involved in our daily lives, and that we trust Him.

Times of prayer are integral parts of my childhood memories. I remember hearing Mom's words of prayer as she stroked my fevered brow; and listening to Grandpa name each relative, and waiting for him—as I knew he would—to bring my name to the God he knew so well. These and many other prayers spoke to my child-spirit of a God who tenderly cares for His own.

Use visuals.

My husband and I looked for a way to help our children participate in prayer for our own family and relatives as well as our church families. We asked relatives to send us snapshots, then we took pictures of each church family unit. Gathering the pictures took several weeks, but it was worth it. At our family worship time we distributed the snapshots so each child, though too young to read, could pray for those whose picture he held.

Pray spontaneously.

When certain friends visit me I can continue household tasks when necessary and still carry on a conversation without offending them. It's this kind of comfortableness I've enjoyed in my relationship with God. Occasionally in the midst of a conversation with someone, one of us will begin a prayer—thereby acknowledging that He is with us anyway and bringing Him right into the conversation.

As a family we have stopped in the middle of a crisis or celebration to talk to the Lord together. Because our children have experienced this kind of awareness of God's presence they, too, have learned to turn to Him with their needs.

Pray specific prayers.

"Bless Aunt Peggy . . ." "Be with the missionaries . . ." It's hard to know when God answers that kind of prayer. When we break prayers down to levels we can both comprehend and truly believe for, we know when God has answered them.

Track the prayers.

When we pray specific prayers we can expect to see specific answers. Often we forget to watch for those answers, and may even fail to express thanks.

We've used a three-by-five-inch card file to record the date and specific prayer. When the answer came, we recorded the date and answer beside the request.

Such a record has been a tool for God to increase the faith of each member of the family. It also reminds us to thank our prayer-answering God for His faithfulness in our lives.

Understand God's heart.

Too many people think only spiritual giants hear the voice of God. But He speaks even to new converts and children. He is willing to share His heart with anyone willing to take the time to wait before Him, to carry His burdens, and to trust Him to answer. We've found that children usually find it easier than adults to set aside the cares of life and listen to God's heart. They pray for the unbelievable because they don't know "it can't be done."

We didn't know how much these prayer principles had shaped our children until we were in Hong Kong on a short-term missionary trip. Because this was an unplanned side trip, no one at home knew where we were. We had spent the last of our money for a night's sleep. We sat knee to knee on the beds in that tiny YWCA room. Fifteen-year-old Dave inquired, "Have you ever been in this situation before?"

"Just what do you mean?" my husband, Pete, asked.

"In a strange country, with no ministry, no money, and no one knowing where you are?"

Discouragement evident in his voice, Pete answered, "Not all at the same time."

"Well, then, let's pray," Dave said. He went on to pray a faith-filled prayer that astounded both Pete and me.

The next morning we had breakfast at a nearby mission center. We were introduced to the couple sitting across the table from us. They had just arrived from the missionary base we had left three months earlier. When they heard our name they expressed confusion. They told us they were on their way to Singapore and had been asked to hand carry a letter addressed to us. To our amazement the letter was from friends at home and had been mailed several months earlier. It contained a check—just the amount we needed to get us to our next place of ministry.

We've seen prayer become a vital part of each of our children's lives. We only need to be good examples before them, give them the right tools, and turn them to the One who is waiting to receive them.

Beverly Caruso is a freelance writer from Orange, California. She has written several books, including Developing Godly Character (Joy Publishing).