Jodie Lockyer has been intentionally growing a culture of prayer with the children at Coast Community Church.
This started one Sunday when the adults were focusing on prayer during their service, and Jodie took the opportunity to create a special time for the children to pray at Kidzone.
After a time of praise and worship through music, the children sat in a circle and shared things they were thankful for. Jodie invited the children to pray out loud, reassuring them that prayer didn’t need to use fancy words—it was simply talking to God.
“There was silence for about 20 -30 seconds,” Jodie shares. “But I wanted to give the children space to speak. Then, they just started praying, thanking God for their leaders and other things. It was awesome to hear what was on their hearts.”
Since then, this prayer time has become a highlight for both the children and their leaders. Recently, when Jodie said, “It’s time for our favourite part of Kidzone,” one child responded, “Our prayer circle!”
Prayer has become a rhythm of their worship and a defining part of their Kidzone culture. They now have a prayer board to record both prayer needs and answers to prayers.
“What is important in the children’s lives comes out in their prayers,” Jodie says. “It’s so special to hear their hearts”.
