A few years ago God spoke something so clearly to my heart that I wrote it down. I sensed Him directing me to help raise up a children’s prayer movement in my city. So I gathered a group of children’s ministry pastors to meet and pray together about encouraging greater prayer among children. As a result, we sponsored multiple opportunities for hundreds of children to come together across denominational lines to pray.

One of the more profound moments I remember involved a group of kids who gathered on a Saturday morning for prayer. Quite shy, they hesitated to pray out loud. No coaxing or coaching seemed to work—until I placed a microphone in the center of the room. I told them they could take turns praying into the microphone.

Suddenly a line formed. Children began stepping up, delighted to hear their voices broadcast loudly throughout the room. Even the youngest, a little red-headed boy about four years old, was brave enough to pray. Then he quickly ran to get back in line for another turn. All his prayers were precious expressions of how much he loved Jesus.

Helping Them Find Their Voices

That day I witnessed reluctant children finding their voices in prayer. Suddenly they could hear their amplified expressions of worship and petition—and they were thrilled to pray without hesitation. The Holy Spirit lit a fire in them that morning. I believe those prayers were a sweet fragrance to the Lord, and I trust God is continuing to answer their heartfelt cries.

Eventually the movement fizzled because the pastors found themselves overwhelmed by the demands of their jobs and the expectations to keep creating bigger and better children’s programs. Our prayer efforts began to fade. That’s the way it is so often in the Western Church.

I am thankful that God is still raising up children in powerful prayer movements around the world. Many children in other countries are becoming experienced intercessors who pray passionately and watch God answer miraculously. Although there are pockets of praying children in the United States, we need to be more intentional about helping children find their voices. They represent a spiritual powerhouse waiting to be ignited.

In this issue, Kim Butts uses the example of Samuel as a young boy—and how he was mentored to hear God’s voice. Samuel became an anointed prophetic leader of Israel. As adults, we can help children step into their God-appointed destinies.

Becky Fischer believes God desires to work supernaturally through children, but we need to invite them into our prayer closets so they can learn and grow into intercessors.

Cheri Fuller shows ways childlike faith is key to the amazing spiritual capacity of children.

As you read this issue, perhaps the Lord will stir your heart to begin mentoring children in prayer. Whether it is your own child in your personal prayer time, a grandchild who adores you, or a classroom of children who need to find their voices—you can pray for and mentor young Samuels into great prayer warriors of our day.

CAROL MADISON is editor of Prayer Connect.