Children's Prayer Teams

[sfhc2]

Hello,

The children's pastor at my church recently created a prayer team for the children to be a part of.

How a prayer team at my church works is that several teams come to the front of the sancutary during worship and pray for the people as they come forward.

My initial reaction to the creation of a children's (ages 6-12) prayer team is rather skeptical.

It is not that I don't believe that children can pray. I just question the ability of children to cope with the types of situations that may arise.

The children may also be placed with an adult prayer team. I believe that this is a bad idea. First, it limits who can be prayed for by that team. It would have to be appropriate for the ears of the young children.

Also, this is an Assembly of God church. Some of the people on the teams are quite loud, and speak in tounges. (Lets not debate that...) However, some of the praying gets pretty intense. I am not sure all children will be ready for such sights or sounds.

Perhaps I am making much ado about nothing, but my gut tells me this may not be the greatest idea.

What do you all think?

-Jose

 

[lucypevensie]

I happen to agree with you. It's not the worst idea in the world or anything, but I certainly don't think it's the best way to get children involved in prayer.

Kids' lives and prayer request consist of someone's hurt finger, a friend with the flu, school issues, arguments with siblings, God bless the missionaries, etc.

Prayer for someone's failing marriage, drug problem, wayward kids, that's more than they should handle.

I think a better way to mix the adults and kids is to take an adult and pair them up with a small group of kids, and let the kids pray about their own concerns.

Kids have enough worries of their own without getting them into adult issues.

 

[HeatherJay]

Yes, Lucy, when my kids pray, they pray about their kittens and goldfish, and their loose teeth. The prayer requests of adults seems like it might be too much to lay upon a child's heart and mind.

I do think that kids should be encouraged to pray but, like Lucy said, they first have to develop a personal relationship with the Father before it should be placed upon them to pray for the needs of the congregation.

 

[sfhc2]

Thank you for the replies.

I am rather troubled by the church doing this.

I'll talk with the children's pastor.

What bring it close to home though, is my fiance is allowing her daughter to participate in this.

My fiance is aware that her 8 yo daughter is not ready to deal with adult issues, but says that God is with her, it will be ok.

I don't think that is a wise persepective.

-Jose

 

[Mayzoo]

Is it mandatory for all children, or voluntary? No prayer should be mandatory!!


I agree with the other two about children being drawn into adult issues or even teen issues. Children should be voluntarily praying for children issues.

 

[psychoceramic]

I went to a church that had a childrens prayer team and believe me when they prayed GOD moved His left pinky and the world of darkness retreated.

even now when my daughter prays and the kids church prays... Heaven is moved... ( i know this wasnt in debate and i am not trying to bring it to debate just stating the truth.)

Now as for kids praying for adults.. i have had numerous kids pray for me and my family... and it was handled very tactfully. 90 percent of the time i just went for prayer and the kids just prayed.

i see nothing wrong with the church opening up pray need of kids and teens and adults to these children pray warriors.
The people in the last church i went to that had a problem was becasue they felt that the kids were displacing them out of a ministry.


Let the kids pray, not many adults will come to them, but if they do, have an adult around to monitor what is said and what the pray needs are for.

Kids are powerful in prayer and they need to be able to do so not jsut for kids but for everyone.


my two cents...
goodnight america,
psycho

 

[sfhc2]

I don't know. I just can't make myself stomach this. Look at the risks and benefits. I don't think it is wise to put young children in this position.

1. Children will do what ever it takes to please the adults in their lives. Children will do this even if it what is going on hurts them. I don't think that young children are ready for the adult world. Not even the spiritual world of adults.
2. Do they really know what is going on up there (consider this is a Pentecostal church)
3. People make mistakes and let things slip. There is not absolute garuntee that the children are safe from adult issues

I do think that children should be allowed to pray. Just not with the adult prayer teams.

Let me ask this: Can any one here give some concrete evidence to this being a bad idea?

For example
1. Scripture
2. Child Psychologists
3. People like James Dobson
4. Legal cases
5. Personal experience

My fiance allows her daughter to participate in this. If it was my kid, I would not allow it. I am seeking the Lord to if this is a so called 'red flag' for this relationship.

Thanks and God Bless

-Jose

 

[luvmysoldier]

To quote you: "I am seeking the Lord to if this is a so called 'red flag' for this relationship."

I am just sharing a thought, so take it with a grain of salt...

Spiritual differences can sometimes cause serious conflicts in marriage. My husband and I had our own confusion regarding the religious upbringing of our son. We eventually resolved it, but it took a REALLY long time and a great deal of prayer and patience. We mainly had a conflict regarding which church we would attend and raise our son in. Anyhow...

If this is truly bothering you, you may want to spend a great deal of time praying to the Lord and ask if this relationship is right for you. If you do eventually choose to marry this woman, you may face similar issues in the future, only this time the children involved will be your own.

Okay.. enough of that.

No for my opinion on children's prayer teams. I think that the prayer of a child is a powerful weapon for God and I think that the idea of organized prayer teams is a terrific idea, however, I think that it is our responsibility to protect our children's innocence as long as possible. I worry that these kids might hear or see something disturbing. I do not object to a child praying for the needs of an adult, but I definitely think that the information should be appropriately filtered.

Example: My sis is going through a messy divorce. I have asked DIllan to pray for God's grace and guidance for my sis. He knows that she is having lots of problems, but I have never told him specifics. He does not need to know details. His just needs to know that his aunt needs help and that God can give it.

In theory, these type of prayer teams would work, but sometimes people need to vent and expose their bare feelings and thoughts. A child does not need to hear messy details and a person in need should not have to restict information when they seek help through the prayers of others.

Just my opinion. *Mandy climbs off the soap box*

I hope that things work out for you. I will say a quick prayer and ask that God grant you spiritual discernment.