Top 30 Prayers Every Messianic Jewish Child Should Know

Top 30 Prayers Every Messianic Jewish Child Should Know

Top 30 Prayers Every Messianic Jewish Child Should Know

Prayer is the heartbeat of faith, a vital connection between us and God. For Messianic Jewish children, prayer is not just a ritual but a means of growing closer to God, understanding His will, and living out their faith in Yeshua (Jesus) the Messiah. Teaching children the power of prayer from a young age lays the foundation for a lifelong relationship with God, rooted in the rich heritage of the Jewish faith and the revelation of Yeshua as the Messiah.

In this article, we'll explore 30 essential prayers every Messianic Jewish child should know. These prayers are chosen to instill key aspects of faith, guide moral development, and nurture a deep, personal connection with God. Each prayer is an opportunity to teach your child about the nature of God, the importance of gratitude, the power of repentance, and the joy of worship.

1. The Shema

The Shema is the cornerstone of Jewish prayer, affirming the oneness of God and our commitment to Him:

"Shema Yisrael, Adonai Eloheinu, Adonai Echad."

"Hear, O Israel: The Lord our God, the Lord is one." (Deuteronomy 6:4)

This prayer should be the first one your child learns and the last one they say before going to sleep.

2. Modeh Ani

This morning prayer expresses gratitude for waking up to a new day:

"Modeh Ani lefanekha, Melekh chai v'kayam, shehechezarta bi nishmati b'chemlah, rabah emunatekha."

"I thank You, living and eternal King, for restoring my soul to me with compassion; great is Your faithfulness."

3. The Aaronic Blessing

This ancient blessing invokes God’s protection and favor:

"Yevarechecha Adonai v'yishmerecha. Ya'er Adonai panav elecha vichuneka. Yissa Adonai panav elecha v'yasem lecha shalom."

"The Lord bless you and keep you; the Lord make His face shine upon you and be gracious to you; the Lord lift up His countenance upon you and give you peace." (Numbers 6:24-26)

4. Thank You for the Torah

A prayer expressing gratitude for the Torah, God’s teaching and instruction:

"Thank You, God, for giving us the Torah. Help me to learn from it and follow Your ways every day. Let Your Word guide me in all I do."

5. Thank You for Yeshua

Teach your child to appreciate the gift of the Messiah:

"Thank You, God, for sending Yeshua to show us Your love. Thank You that He died for us and rose again so we can be close to You. Help me to follow Him every day."

6. Prayer for Peace (Shalom)

This prayer asks God to bring peace to the world, the community, and the family:

"God of peace, please bring shalom to our world. Let there be peace in our home, in our hearts, and among all people. Help me to be a peacemaker in everything I do."

7. Blessing Over the Bread (Hamotzi)

This blessing is recited before eating bread, acknowledging God as the source of all sustenance:

*"Baruch Atah Adonai, Eloheinu Melech ha'olam, hamotzi lechem min ha'aretz."*  

"Blessed are You, Lord our God, King of the universe, who brings forth bread from the earth."

8. Blessing Over the Wine (Kiddush)

This blessing is recited over the wine on Shabbat and other holy days:

*"Baruch Atah Adonai, Eloheinu Melech ha'olam, borei p'ri hagafen."*  

"Blessed are You, Lord our God, King of the universe, who creates the fruit of the vine."

9. Thank You for Creation

This prayer helps children appreciate the beauty of God’s creation:

"Thank You, God, for the world You made. For the trees, the flowers, the animals, and the stars. Help me to take care of Your creation and enjoy all the beauty around me."

10. Prayer for Guidance

Teach your child to seek God’s guidance in all they do:

"God, please guide me in everything I do. Show me the right path and help me to follow You with all my heart. Let Your wisdom be my guide."

11. Blessing Over the Candles (Shabbat)

This blessing is recited when lighting the Shabbat candles, marking the beginning of the Sabbath:

*"Baruch Atah Adonai, Eloheinu Melech ha'olam, asher kidshanu b'mitzvotav v'tzivanu l'hadlik ner shel Shabbat."*  

"Blessed are You, Lord our God, King of the universe, who has sanctified us with His commandments and commanded us to light the Sabbath candles."

12. Prayer for Protection

This prayer asks for God’s protection over the family:

"God, please watch over our family and keep us safe. Protect us from harm and help us to feel Your presence with us always."

13. Prayer for Healing

For times when your child or someone they know is sick:

"God, please bring healing to those who are sick. Touch them with Your love and make them strong again. Thank You for being our healer and our hope."

14. Thank You for Friends

This prayer helps children recognize the blessing of friendship:

"Thank You, God, for my friends. Please bless them and keep them safe. Help us to be kind to each other and to grow in Your love together."

15. Prayer for Forgivenes

Teach your child the importance of seeking forgiveness:

"God, I’m sorry for anything I did today that wasn’t right. Please forgive me and help me to do better tomorrow. Thank You for always loving me, even when I make mistakes."

16. Blessing for the New Month (Rosh Chodesh)

This prayer is recited at the beginning of a new month:

*"Baruch Atah Adonai, Eloheinu Melech ha'olam, shehechiyanu v'kiyimanu v'higiyanu lazman hazeh."*  

"Blessed are You, Lord our God, King of the universe, who has kept us alive, sustained us, and brought us to this season."

17. Thank You for My Family

Help your child express gratitude for their family:

"Thank You, God, for my family who loves me. Thank You for Mommy, Daddy, and everyone who cares for me. Please bless them and help us to love each other every day."

18. Prayer for Kindness

A prayer to cultivate kindness in daily interactions:

"God, please help me to be kind to others. Let me speak with love and act with gentleness, just as You are kind to me. Help me to see the good in everyone."

19. Prayer for Strength

For moments when your child feels weak or tired:

"God, please give me strength when I feel weak. Help me to keep going and to trust that You will always help me. Let Your strength be my comfort."

20. Thank You for Shabbat

Instill a love for the Sabbath:

"Thank You, God, for Shabbat, a day of rest and peace. Help me to keep it holy and to enjoy the time with You and my family. Let Shabbat be a delight every week."

21. Prayer for Patience

Teach your child the value of patience:

"God, sometimes I get impatient when things don’t happen right away. Please help me to be patient and to wait with a peaceful heart. Help me to trust Your timing in everything."

22. Prayer for Understanding

A prayer for growing in understanding and empathy:

"God, help me to understand others and to be compassionate. Help me to see the world through Your eyes and to love others as You love me."

23. Blessing Over the Study of Torah

This blessing is recited before studying the Torah:

"Baruch Atah Adonai, Eloheinu Melech ha'olam, asher kidshanu b'mitzvotav v'tzivanu la'asok b'divrei Torah."

"Blessed are You, Lord our God, King of the universe, who has sanctified us with His commandments and commanded us to engage in the words of Torah."

24. Prayer for Joy

Encourage your child to seek and spread joy:

"God, please fill my heart with joy. Help me to be happy and to bring joy to others, no matter what the day brings. Let Your joy be my strength."

25. Thank You for the Blessings

Encourage a heart of thanksgiving for daily blessings:

"Thank You, God, for all the blessings You give me. For my home, my food, my family, and my friends. Help me to never take them for granted."

26. Prayer for a New Day

A prayer for the morning, looking forward to a new day with God:

"God, as I wake up, thank You for a new day with You. Please guide me today and help me to serve You with all my heart. Let Your presence be with me in everything I do."

27. Prayer for Courage

This prayer encourages bravery in the face of challenges:

"God, please give me courage when I am afraid. Help me to be brave and to trust that You are always with me. Let Your strength make me strong in everything I face."

28. Thank You for My Teachers

A prayer to appreciate those who educate and guide your child:

"Thank You, God, for my teachers who help me learn and grow. Please bless them and give them wisdom. Help me to listen and learn with a thankful heart."

29. Prayer for Repentance (Teshuvah)

A prayer of returning to God, especially during times of reflection:

"God, I know that sometimes I make mistakes and do things that hurt others or displease You. I am sorry for these things, and I ask for Your forgiveness. Help me to turn back to You with all my heart and to live in a way that honors You."

30. Prayer for Love

Teach your child to love God and others as the highest commandment:

"God, please fill my heart with Your love. Help me to love You with all my heart, soul, and strength, and to love others as You love me. Let Your love guide me in everything I do."

Incorporating Prayer into Daily Life

Teaching children these 30 prayers is not just about memorization; it’s about cultivating a deep, personal relationship with God that will grow as they do. Incorporating these prayers into daily routines—such as upon waking, before meals, at bedtime, and during moments of challenge or joy—helps children understand that God is always present and that they can turn to Him in every situation.

Practical Tips for Parents

- Start Early: 

Begin teaching your child these prayers at a young age. Even simple prayers can lay the groundwork for a strong spiritual life.

- Model Prayer: 

Children learn by watching. Let them see you pray and make prayer a natural part of your family’s life.

- Make it Meaningful: 

Explain the meaning of each prayer. Understanding the words they’re saying will help children connect emotionally and spiritually.

- Encourage Personal Prayer: 

While teaching set prayers is important, also encourage your child to talk to God in their own words, sharing their thoughts, fears, hopes, and gratitude.

- Create a Prayer Space: 

Consider setting up a small, dedicated space in your home for prayer, where your child can go to pray, reflect, or read scripture.

- Use Visual Aids: 

For younger children, use pictures, storybooks, or even songs to help them learn the prayers.

- Celebrate Milestones: 

When your child learns a new prayer, celebrate it as a milestone in their spiritual journey.

Conclusion

By teaching these 30 essential prayers, you’re equipping your child with a spiritual toolkit that will guide them throughout their life. These prayers cover a broad spectrum of faith experiences, from gratitude and praise to repentance and intercession. As your child grows, these prayers will deepen their understanding of God’s love, the importance of community, and their identity as part of the Messianic Jewish faith.

Remember, the goal is not just to teach prayers but to nurture a living, dynamic faith in Yeshua that will sustain your child through all of life’s joys and challenges. May these prayers draw your child closer to God and help them to walk in His ways all the days of their life.