Children and Ceaseless Prayer

[Sleeper]

I've been reading a lot about prayer of the heart, the Jesus Prayer, ceaseless prayer, etc., lately and I find the psychology/anthropology behind it all fascinating. But it got me thinking about training children to practice the remembrance of God. I know many of the Fathers say to not undertake ceaseless prayer without a guide, but wouldn't it be beneficial for children to make this a part of their life as soon as possible? I suppose I'm just wondering if anyone here with children tries to teach their children the Jesus Prayer and encourage them to say it as often as possible, or if the Fathers made any specific references to beginning this type of instruction early in a person's life?

Thanks.

[Michał Kalina]

If you want discourage them from the Church forcing them to pray is the best way.

[Sleeper]

If you want discourage them from the Church forcing them to pray is the best way.

I agree. I'm not talking about forcing anyone to do anything. 

[Shanghaiski]

Considering the modern holy elders like Elder Iakovos of Evia and Elder Cleopa of Romania, they were influenced, but not forced, by members of their family. Elder Cleopa had the example of his brothers who were very devout and prayed often and Elder Iakovos had the example of his mother, who would rise in the middle of the night to pray. Little Iakovos saw her do this and imitated her, to the extent of leaving the house in the middle of the night and visiting a lonely chapel to pray. They did this because they saw that it was good and were open to it. It doesn't appear that their relatives' even considered teaching what they were doing.

[Ashman618]

Considering the modern holy elders like Elder Iakovos of Evia and Elder Cleopa of Romania, they were influenced, but not forced, by members of their family. Elder Cleopa had the example of his brothers who were very devout and prayed often and Elder Iakovos had the example of his mother, who would rise in the middle of the night to pray. Little Iakovos saw her do this and imitated her, to the extent of leaving the house in the middle of the night and visiting a lonely chapel to pray. They did this because they saw that it was good and were open to it. It doesn't appear that their relatives' even considered teaching what they were doing.

So if we're going to try to verbally influence children to pray we should make sure they are visually influenced by the fact they actually see us do it.  There's even a part in the way of the pilgrim , where a child is forced to do it.....

[Shanghaiski]

Considering the modern holy elders like Elder Iakovos of Evia and Elder Cleopa of Romania, they were influenced, but not forced, by members of their family. Elder Cleopa had the example of his brothers who were very devout and prayed often and Elder Iakovos had the example of his mother, who would rise in the middle of the night to pray. Little Iakovos saw her do this and imitated her, to the extent of leaving the house in the middle of the night and visiting a lonely chapel to pray. They did this because they saw that it was good and were open to it. It doesn't appear that their relatives' even considered teaching what they were doing.

So if we're going to try to verbally influence children to pray we should make sure they are visually influenced by the fact they actually see us do it.  There's even a part in the way of the pilgrim , where a child is forced to do it.....

Elder Porphyrios speaks more of being an example than saying a lot.

[Sleeper]

Considering the modern holy elders like Elder Iakovos of Evia and Elder Cleopa of Romania, they were influenced, but not forced, by members of their family. Elder Cleopa had the example of his brothers who were very devout and prayed often and Elder Iakovos had the example of his mother, who would rise in the middle of the night to pray. Little Iakovos saw her do this and imitated her, to the extent of leaving the house in the middle of the night and visiting a lonely chapel to pray. They did this because they saw that it was good and were open to it. It doesn't appear that their relatives' even considered teaching what they were doing.

This is great, thank you. I think modeling is the best tactic, no doubt. If it's a curious child and they ask what you're doing, I'm wondering how appropriate it would be to say, "We are supposed to remember God at all times, and the Fathers teach us to stand before God with our minds in our hearts, constantly crying out to Him 'Lord Jesus Christ, Son of God, have mercy on me a sinner.' When you pray, you should do this to, and here's how..."

I'm wondering if actually instructing them in the ways of pursuing continuous prayer is something we should try to do, or if we should wait until they're older.

[mersch]

Do they pray with the family before meals? Before bed? When someone is sick? Is it forcing them? Or is it presented as this is what we do and why? Start with a few that are easy for them to remember and/or say with others.  Remember KISS- Keep It Simple Sweetie! Age appropriate for them. remember- it's all in how you approach it or state it.  That goes with anything that you would like them to  do.Reduce the options for them to say no, and increase choices with a few- such as bedtime- do you want to start with this prayer or this one? Instead of do you want to say your prayers now?  What do they see you do? What dont they see you do? (I dont like my own answers to my last two question as to what my own children saw me do, or NOT do when they were little-if only....sigh).

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