Bidden: Elke dag hetzelfde liedje?

Samenvatting

This article focuses on the role of prayer in young protestant families who live in a
secular and urban context. The research data collected are subjected to a Framework
Analysis, a qualitative research design, in order to describe and explain how children are
introduced to the practice of prayer. This article will answer why and how parents teach
their young children to pray and will illustrate that prayer is an important feature of
early childrearing practices, even if parents are not convinced Christian believers.
Finally, the article argues that parental convictions about and experiences of prayer can
be understood by the “paradox of the authentic habit.” That is, although parents aim
for a vivid and meaningful prayer life, they prefer routine and good habits.