Question: When a child is ready to receive Christ, how do I help him pray?
You have clearly presented the message of salvation to a
child.
(Click here to review what to include.)
You have asked the child thought-provoking questions to
check his understanding of the message of salvation. (Click here to review those
questions.)
You have asked the child a key
question like: "Are
you ready to believe in the Lord Jesus and ask Him to save you?"
The child said "Yes!" Now what?
When a child is ready to receive Christ, encourage him to pray out loud in his own words.
Do NOT say, "You can pray out
loud or you can pray silently." Most
children will choose silently and you miss this last opportunity to check their
understanding. After a silent prayer you have no clue if the child asked God to
save Him or if the child thanked God that Grandma was coming to visit next
weekend.
It is not enough to say, "Go ahead and pray!" Briefly review the main
things he should tell God and tell him how to begin his prayer.
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Your conversation with a child should sound something like this: You: Are you ready to believe in the Lord Jesus and ask Him to save you? Child: Yes! You: That's great! It's time to pray.
Let's think about what you can say. Child: I'm sorry for the bad things I've
done. You: And what do you believe Jesus did for you? Child: I believe He died on the cross
for me. You: And what do you want Him to do right now? Child: Take away my sins and save me.
You: You've told me those things. Now it's time to talk to God about those things. You can talk out loud to God, just like you're talking to me. Let's both of us bow our heads and close our eyes. You can start by saying, "Dear God." Then tell Him about your sin. I'll help you if you forget what else you wanted to say. |
If a child hesitates along the way, remind him of what he wanted to say by whispering the questions just used:
What do you believe Jesus did for you?
and/or
What do you want Jesus to do right now?
We were special speakers for a junior church that met in the basement of a country church. A seven year old responded to the salvation invitation. She knew the answers to the key questions we asked to check her understanding. As she prayed in her own words, it was very special to hear her include, "Thank you, Jesus, for giving all Your blood just for me." We hope you have had (or will have) the privilege of leading LOTS of children to Christ.
Keep in mind that it is not the way a prayer is worded that saves a child (or anyone!). Salvation comes through personal faith in Christ alone for the payment and forgiveness of sins. Recall Ephesians 2:8-9. Can you fill in all five of the missing five-letter words?
"For by _________ are ye ___________ through __________; and that not of yourselves: it is the gift of God: Not of _____________, lest any man should ______________" Ephesians 2:8-9.
Click here if you need the first letter of each missing word to prompt your memory.
Click here to see the completed verses.
Question: Is it ever acceptable to tell a child what to
say and let him pray the words right after you?
Answer: Yes, but children are great
imitators. You can lead a child to pray a prayer that is not the conviction of
his heart. This leads to false assurance of salvation, confusion and defeat in
future days.
Question: Right after a child prays a salvation prayer, what should I say to help him with assurance?
NOT: "Now you're saved!" or something similar. You cannot know what has actually transpired in the child's heart. Assurance must come from the Holy Spirit through the Word of God.
"So," you say, "if that's what I should NOT say, what SHOULD I say?"
We have the answer! But first, complete the following:
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"Right after a child prays a salvation prayer, what should I say to help him with assurance?"
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