As children grow and develop verbally, prayer times can be expanded from memorized prayers at mealtimes and bedtime to more spontaneous prayers modeled in phrases. Help children understand that prayer includes praise and thanksgiving as well as requests. Look for God's work in your lives and the lives of others and give thanks for what He is doing. Look for answered prayers. Keep a sheet of paper posted on the refrigerator or in your child's bedroom to list answers to prayers.
Older children can learn to add spontaneous petitions at the end of memorized prayers.
Model such petitions yourself and invite the child to add his or her own. Tie prayer to everyday events. For example, before beginning a bedtime prayer, discuss what has happened during the day, needs others may have and praises you want to include. Ask older children to lead a dinner prayer on special occasions such as birthdays, holidays or when special guests are present. My children are older now, and at times I wonder if they have a consistent prayer life.