How do you pray with your kids when you're struggling yourself? | DadHQ

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How do you pray with your kids when you're struggling yourself?

Aug 10·1 min read

Been having a rough few months at work and honestly my faith has been shaky. My 8 year old asked me to pray with him before bed last night and I just felt like such a hypocrite. How do you guys lead by example when you're not exactly walking the walk? I don't want my kids thinking their dad has all the answers but I also need to be the spiritual anchor for this family. Any thoughts on being real with them about this stuff without crushing their faith?

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Comments(5)

EEricRegularAug 10

That moment when they need you and you're not sure if you've got it in you - I get that. But showing up for that prayer, even when your faith feels wobbly, is exactly what he needed. You're doing better than you think.

KKennethNew DadAug 10

Four kids here and I've been in that exact spot. Sometimes the best prayers are the honest ones where you're not pretending everything is fine. Your son probably sensed that realness.

RRyan M.RegularAug 10

Been there. Rough work seasons mess with everything. But praying with your kids during the hard times might be exactly what you both need. You don't need to be spiritually perfect for that conversation. Just real.

TTravisRegularAug 10

This is tough stuff. Honest answer? You don't have to have it all figured out to pray with them. Sometimes the most powerful thing is just saying 'Hey, I'm struggling too and I don't have all the answers, but let's talk to God about it together.' Kids respect honesty way more than we think.

VVincentRegularAug 10

Your 8 year old asking you that is actually a gift, even if it doesn't feel like it right now. You get to model what faith looks like when life is hard, not just when everything's easy. That's real faith.