Unplug the TV

When the kids are not in the room, unplug the TV set. Later, sit down with the family to watch a TV show and turn on the TV. Act puzzled and ask the kids, “What’s the problem?” (Is the electricity on? Is it broken?) Hopefully, one of the kids will notice that it is unplugged. Plug it in and watch the show together.

After the show is over (maybe even at bedtime when you say prayers together), talk about the lack of power.

Ask:

Why didn’t the TV work earlier? (not plugged in; it had to be connected to the power)

How are you connected to God? (by having Jesus in your heart, by talking to Him in prayer)

What can break the connection between you and God? (sin)

Psalm 66:18 says that if you keep sin in your heart, God will not hear you. It is important to tell God your sin and ask Him to forgive (take away) you. Is there a sin you need to ask God to forgive?

Parents: Don’t be afraid to “fess up” with your own sin—anger, complaining, gossip, etc. Kids need to see God’s grace modeled (“I’m sorry, God. Will You forgive me?”). 

Play Prayer Catagories

While riding in the car, play “prayer categories.” Let someone pick a letter of the alphabet. Take turns naming one thing you are thankful for that starts with that letter. Keep going until no one can think of anything else (G—God, grapes, girls, giraffes, etc). Let another person pick a letter and start again, naming things you are thankful for that begin with that letter. End the game by arriving at your destination or saying, “Wow, God made a lot of things to be thankful for. Thank You, God.”

Something You Will Never Regret!

Start a prayer journal. Buy a spiral notebook. On the first page, draw a vertical line down the middle. On the left side write “Requests” and on the right side write “Answers.

Every evening after dinner, take five minutes to pray. Write the requests down in the notebook. Then say sentence prayers, asking God to answer the requests. Put the date requested and the date answered. (You could do this at bedtime if your family gathers together then.)

Howard Hendricks, a Christian author, said he did this when his children were growing up and this is one of the most valuable things they own. He plans to pass it down to his children as evidence that God is real and hears and answers prayer.