The How and Why of Children and Prayer

Yes, children suffer.  Sometimes silently, sometimes loudly. Children suffer over seemingly small things liketeasing or receiving a poor grade in school or a friend moving away.  Children also suffer because of fear, loss & grief, abandonment, attachment trauma, medical illness and abuse.

Whatever the extent of the suffering, small, temporary, pervasive, prayer can bring a sense of calm, peace and unconditional love. Teaching our children to pray for gratitude and for help for the small and for the large experiences in their day teaches them to invite the Holy Trinity into their life.

God the Father, Christ the Son, and the Holy Spirit are always present and active in our children’s lives.  Prayer will help our children become more aware of the Holy Trinity’s presence so that they will always know they are not alone; that they do not have to suffer alone; that they have a power greater than themselves, greater than their parents(!), to always listen, comfort, love and guide.

Here is a simple prayer to the Holy Trinity your children can memorize and stay “tapped in” to throughout their day:

Trinity Prayer
Love of Jesus fill us.
Holy Spirit guide us.
Will of the Father be done.
Amen.

 

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Patti M. Zordich, Ph.D., is a licensed psychologist and Director & Founder of Triangle Psychological Services in Cary, NC. Dr. Zordich holds a Ph.D. in Developmental and Educational Psychology with an emphasis in clinical psychology, a Master's Degree in Education Dr. Zordich converted to the Catholic faith in 1996 and established Triangle Psychological Services in 2007 with the mission of providing expert psychological services consistent with the teachings of the Catholic Church. Dr. Zordich has been in private practice since 1997 first in Pittsburgh and then in North Carolina. Child and teen behavior problems, marital counseling, PTSD, post-abortion healing and psychoeducational and psychological testing are a few of her specialities. She has been an adjunct professor in the University of Pittsburgh, and has presented to parishes, schools, agencies and conferences in both Pittsburgh and North Carolina on early adoption adjustment, internet safety, porn and addiction and building stronger families. She has published Gotcha! Welcoming Your Adopted Child Home: A Guide for Newly Adoptive Parents. You can read more from Dr. Zordich at Dr. Patti’s Blog at trypsych.com/drpattisblog.

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