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December 15, 2016 by Tricia Goyer Leave a Comment

How To Write Your Own Family Christmas Prayer {Plus FREE Printable!}

Christmas means twinkling lights and sparkling snowflakes. It also means time with family and remembering God’s gift of love. Christmas can also represent a time of prayer for children.

One sweet book that has taught my children about prayer is A Very Merry Christmas Prayer by Bonnie Jensen. And while it’s wonderful for my children to read about prayer, it’s even more important that they learn how to pray.

I decided this year I’d like my kids to write our own Christmas prayers. I came up with questions for each of them to fill in. Then the answers can be put together to create a unique Christmas prayer. Consider writing one with each child or together as a family.

Family Christmas Prayer Questions:

Something you are thankful for:

Something that brings you joy:

What excites you about Christmas this year:

One thing the gift of Jesus has done for you:

A song you want to sing to Jesus this year:

How you’d like to help others this Christmas.

Why Christmas is special to you this year:

Stop by tommynelson.com to get the prayer template and to read the rest of this post! Plus, download the FREE printable below to help you write your prayer together!

Take time as a family to come up with your own Christmas prayer! via @TriciaGoyer @TommyNelson

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October 18, 2016 by Tricia Goyer Leave a Comment

Teaching Kids To Pray For Their Friends

In the last week I’ve run into two of my adult daughter’s friends. As I gave each one a hug I remembered the numerous challenges they’ve had over the years. I also remembered the minor conflicts my daughter had with them, but mostly I remembered the prayers.

My daughter Leslie often came to me with requests to pray for others, but she didn’t leave the praying up to me alone. Over the years my daughter learned to pray for her friends. Prayer supported their relationships. Prayer changed my daughter’s heart toward her friends as well.

It’s important to teach kids to pray, and praying for friends should be at the top of the list. Looking back it’s clear the friends my kids had during their childhood impacted their personal growth. Positive healthy relationships built on prayer don’t just impact your kids today, but for a lifetime.

Here are six ways to teach kids to pray for their friends!

For younger kids:

1. Pray using your fingers. Every day help your child pick one friend to pray for, and then pray five things for that person. You may need to help your child think of things the first few times, but feel free to give them ideas.

2. Read, God Bless My Friends. This delightful books teaches kids to pray for their friends despite their differences. After reading the book think of friends you both can pray for.

Stop by tommynelson.com to read the rest of this post!

Find out how to teach your kids to pray for their friends from @TriciaGoyer @TommyNelson

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August 23, 2016 by Tricia Goyer Leave a Comment

5 Reasons Your Teen Needs A Little Jesus Every Day

School is starting soon, and I’m looking forward to routine. One of those routines I love is having a morning devotional time with our teens. I love reading the Bible and great Christian books together. Why? Because just like me, my teens need a little bit of Jesus every day.

One book I’m looking forward to reading with my teens is, Jesus Today, Experience Hope Through His Presence by Sarah Young (the Teen version releases in October). If the name sounds familiar, Sarah is the author of the popular book Jesus Calling. I love resources like this that include wonderful Scriptures and gives teens insight into a relationship with Jesus, which this book does.

So why do teens need a little Jesus everyday?

Teens need a mentors to model their life after. There is no one better for a teen to model their life after than Jesus. As they read about Jesus everyday they will learn what it means to be compassionate yet bold. They’ll see how relationship with Him, not religious pursuits, should be the focus of our lives.

Teens need hope, and hope is fully anchored in Jesus Christ. As Sarah writes in Jesus Today, “The more you put your hope in Me, the more My Love-Light shines upon you—brightening your day. Remember that I am with you continually and I Myself am your Hope!” This world doesn’t have much in the way of hope to offer, but Jesus does!

Stop by tommynelson.com to read the rest of this post!

Why do teens need a little Jesus everyday? @TriciaGoyer shares 5 reasons here:

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May 3, 2016 by Tricia Goyer Leave a Comment

Teaching Teens To Be Comfortable With Being Uncomfortable

As a mom of ten kids I’ve been though every stage (a few times!), and I have to say that the hardest, most confusing time for girls is the pre-teen and teen years. Between ages 12-16 girls’ bodies are changing, their emotions are charged, and on a scale from 1-10 their desire for peer approval is an 11.5!

All the lessons that little girls soaked in during quiet time devotions about their value, worth and beauty dissipate as soon as they turn teen and walk into a group setting and have a half-dozen sets of eyes fixed on them.

The truth is that there are multiple situations a day when teen girls have to deal with going with the crowd or choosing a different way and feeling uncomfortable and awkward. We raise our teens to be different than the world but being different is painful for girls who want to fit in!

I love what Kari Kampakis says in her book, 10 Ultimate Truths Girls Should Know:

“It’s not a matter of if you’ll be pressured, but when. People will push you as far as you let them. Unless you establish parameters now, you’ll be talked into things against your better judgment.”

The good news is that parents can help! In addition to reading through 10 Ultimate Truths Girls Should Know (which I recommend!), here are other ways parents can help. The advice below came from my mom friends. Feel free to use these as conversation starters for your teen girl.

Lea Anne: I try to emphasize more how uncomfortable the consequences are of doing wrong. That way these tough conversations or awkward ‘no’s’ seem like a positive step for their own safety and well-being.

Tina Marie: Even though it’s hard to stand up for yourself and not follow your peers, it is okay to stand up for what you feel is best for you and or right for you. It is okay to be different than them. If your friends are your true friends they will stick by you in the choice you make for yourself.

It is hard to see the consequences at the time of the wrong, but try not to rush into quick decisions. Wait till the last minute to give your answer, call your parents and talk it out with them. If allowed come up with your own group get-together that’s safe for all.

Read the rest of this post at tommynelson.com.

How to talk to your teen about being comfortable with being uncomfortable! @TriciaGoyer

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