A Prayer for Children: Everyday Gratitude

A Prayer for A Spiritual Practice for Any Day or Season

Thanksgiving and the holiday season are beautifully filled with reminders to practice gratitude—whether for our food, our dear ones, and/or the meaningful messages and traditions that we celebrate. But gratitude is not relegated to a season nor a date in November. Practicing everyday gratitude with our children helps deepen our awareness of our blessings and opens us to even more things to appreciate.

When we teach our children about the importance of gratitude, they’re encouraged to look for the good things in life and to focus on things for which they are grateful. This helps them in the process of navigating through any difficulties and disappointments they may experience. Just as they can learn to take the necessary time to process and “feel the feelings” about life’s challenges, they can find time and ways to remember the bright spots, the gifts, the blessings, and their own personal strengths.

Everyday gratitude helps us live each day with a brighter outlook. It helps children look for things to appreciate. It aids us in creating positive memories that include acts of kindness received or given. 

Little notes, big confidence for kids.

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Ways to Practice Gratitude

• Create a Gratitude Spot in the home where family members can regularly post notes or drawings of appreciation. “Tomas, thank you for packing your siblings’ lunches!” “Jo, you showed kindness and courage yesterday at the park.” “Dad, thanks for fixing my bike.” Writing things down helps give extra permanence to our positive memories. And that helps lift us up during any emotionally rough patches. 

• At mealtimes take turns sharing things you’re happy about. Once a day is great. It doesn’t have to be about a current experience. Memories and history are wonderful sources of gratitude and family cohesiveness. 

• Encourage the practice of sending real thank-you notes for any gifts received. Keep cards and supplies handy—colorful pens or pencils, envelopes, stamps. Younger children might draw their thanks.
• Collect and share stories about how something that seemed difficult turned out to be just fine or even a blessing.

As we focus on and practice the art of giving thanks, more things to be grateful about are sure to show up in our lives.

A Prayer for Gratitude in All Children

Turning inward for this time of prayer, I am grateful for all the children in my life. As I remember to live from a consciousness of thankfulness, I light up beautiful memories and create deeper connections with friends, family, and community. Children are perfectly made, divinely guided conduits of joy. I encourage them and listen deeply to their expressions of gratitude.  

A Shared Family Prayer of Gratitude

As a family, we now pause to appreciate the good that always unfolds in our lives. We are so blessed! We remember to look for and take note of the many things for which we are grateful. We’re thankful for our ability to appreciate all these blessings and to practice lovingkindness and gratitude. Doing so, we are open to guidance and opportunities on how to be a blessing to others. 

Together we affirm:

Did you know? All children are welcome to pray with Unity Prayer Ministry associates.