Praying In and Out of the Classroom

By Amanda Schneider Jan 8, 2026

At Northshore Christian Academy, we believe that teaching your child how to pray is one of the most important things you can do as a parent. I didn't come to Christ until my late teens, and I remember I had such a zeal for the Lord when I gave my life to Him, but the one thing that terrified me was prayer. How in the world do I pray? What if I mess up? Will God not answer my prayer if I don't ask for it properly? These were all things that would run through my head as a new Believer. The short answer is this: the first thing we must always do in prayer is ask God to glorify Himself more than anything else. Prayer should be a way of life, and it should always start and end with Jesus and should never be about selfish gain. Prayer fuels your heart and mind, and the beautiful gift we have here in our Nation is that we can pray anywhere and anytime.

Romans 12:12

"Rejoice in hope, be patient in tribulation, be constant in prayer. "

When we talk to our kids about prayer, let's encourage them to simply not forget to pray - and to remind them of the importance of staying in relationship with God and the power of prayer. Whether students are solving math problems, playing on the field, or heading home after school, prayer remains at the center of who we are at NCA, and we hope they carry that into their homes, too.

Philippians 4:6:

 "Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God. "

Our teachers are committed to incorporating prayer in the classroom, and they not only believe in the importance of prayer but also want to always encourage your children to pray at all times. Our commitment to prayer doesn’t end when the bell rings. We encourage students to carry their conversations with God into every part of their lives. Whether it’s praying before a game, seeking guidance in friendships, or simply thanking God for a beautiful sunset, we teach that prayer is a constant companion.

1 Thessalonians 5:16-18:

"Rejoice always, pray without ceasing, give thanks in all circumstances; for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus for you. "

Resources:

Resources that encourage prayer can be some of your best friends. Aside from being in God's Word, there are a handful of good devotionals and studies that encourage and instruct on prayer. Here are two of my favorite devotionals for kids and teens to encourage not only time in the Word, but also prayer:

I know the world can be full of noise, but at NCA, we want to remind you of the peace that prayer offers us. We can be tempted to get caught up in a very worldly, self-focused culture, but prayer reminds us of the grace and hope we have because of Jesus. NCA is committed to raising a generation that knows how to seek God in the classroom, in the hallway, and in all aspects of life. Because when we pray, we don’t just learn more about Jesus, we grow and become more like Jesus.