If our experience is not what God wants it to be, it is because of our unbelief in the love of God, in the power of God and in the reality of God’s promises. (Andrew Murray)

Here are two renditions of a portion of the Lord’s Prayer (Matthew 6:9-12) with very different perspectives on who God is. They are not meant to be a theological exploration of the meaning of the words in their original Greek. Rather, they illustrate that how we pray and what we expect from our relationship with God will reflect who we – and our children – believe God is, and what we believe him to be like.

“Our perfect, caring, and loving Father, who is in heaven – a place that reflects your character, a place that is wonderfully beautiful, where there is nothing sad or evil, only happiness, love, peace, and joy. May your name be honored because you are so great and so good that everyone should know you and experience your love. Let your awesome and perfect kingdom, full of right and happiness, come here on earth and set people free to be with you and to be loved by you. Let your will for the perfect peace, happiness, and complete fulfillment of your people be done here on earth just like it is now where you are in heaven – that beautiful place where your people know you, are like you, love each other perfectly, and enjoy everything you’ve made for them. Please meet our needs today and take care of us as you always do so wonderfully. Forgive us our mistakes and imperfections as we receive your grace to grow, and as we love, accept, and forgive the people you’ve so wonderfully placed in our lives….”

“Our all-seeing Father, who is far away in heaven. Holy and beyond what we can understand or relate to is your name. Your kingdom come, to squash all who refuse to obey you. Your will be imposed on everyone, like it is in heaven, where everyone finally has to be perfect. Please give us some bread today, so we don’t starve. (I don’t want to bother you with more than that.) Please forgive me my sins (don’t let me end up in the hot place) as I forgive the rotten sinners around me….”

It’s crucial: We must teach our children who God is, what he’s like, and what he is willing to do for them. That will affect how they pray. If our children don’t believe that God loves them, or if they somehow get the idea that he is always judging them to see if they measure up, the mechanics of prayer will not matter; the relationship and results won’t come. We need to teach them who God is and that he acts according to his character.

Three truths we can teach our children are: God loves them (1 John 4:16), is trustworthy (Psalm 9:10), and will forgive if they do something wrong (1 John 1:9). God is not a formidable judge; He’s a loving tutor who understands our weaknesses, loves us completely, will always encourage us beyond our failures, and will never give up on us.

God created us to be in relationship with himself. He wants us to know him, know what he is like, and receive his love.

When our children really understand who God is and what he’s willing to do for them, they won’t have a problem building a relationship with God and getting their prayers answered.

Here are two key verses that focus on the great love God has for us that you can read with your kids.

How great is the love the Father has lavished on us, that we should be called children of God! And that is what we are! (1 John 3:1)

He who did not spare his own Son, but gave him up for us all – how will he not also, along with him, graciously give us all things? (Romans 8:32)