I’m sharing the blog today with my friend and Content Editor for LifeWay Kids Discipleship, Kayla Stevens.

I love reading, so much I made a career out of it, but my love for reading didn’t start in school. My passion for books and stories began at home. My parents were avid readers. Books filled our home—not the gold-lined, fancy books that are carefully placed on the bookshelf and only brought out on special occasions. Our books were worn, ragged, and scattered throughout our home. They weren’t off limits to us kids or only brought out for special occasions. They were loved well, and by loved I mean crayon illustrations, ripped pages, and covers mended with tape and a few tears.

Reading was a natural rhythm in my home because my family loved reading. I watched my parents spend time reading their Bibles or other books. I noticed the adventure and cowboy books that littered my older brother’s room. I learned to love the practice because it was a consistent rhythm of my family.

The same is true with prayer. Too often we can look at prayer as a disciplined activity more than a rhythmic practice that stems from a deep love for God. But prayer is just that, a conversation that overflows from a heart that loves God. So how do you teach your kids to love what you love, especially if their hearts have not been changed by the gospel yet?

Pray in front of your kids. Allow your kids to hear your prayers to God, not just prayers at meals, but genuine conversations you have with the Father. Maybe a need comes to your mind as you are driving. Pray out loud with your kids in the car. Maybe you need to ask for repentance for your anger at your child earlier in the day. Pray aloud in front of your child asking for God’s forgiveness. Let your kids observe you doing what you love as part of your daily life, talking to your Father in praise, intercession, and even repentance.

Pray Scripture with your kids. Even if our kids have not yet understood their need for salvation or trusted in, they can still learn the rhythms of prayer. Praying Scripture with your child encourages her to understand that prayer involves worship. Kids can learn to praise God through the Scriptures and allow the Word to draw their hearts closer to His. Consider praying verses such as Psalm 18:49, Psalm 71:8, Isaiah 25:1, or 1 Cor. 14:15 with your child.

Get creative. Involve your children in prayer through creative outlets. Make a family prayer chart. Update the prayer chart regularly and include a rhythm of regular prayer over these requests. Create prayer chain decorations with colorful paper. Involve the family in writing prayer requests each week to add to the chain. Celebrate answered prayer by breaking off chains when prayers are answered.