The Nature and Function of Meditation and Prayer in Childhood and Adolescence

This article explores the nature and function of meditation and prayer in childhood and adolescence. Research has consistently demonstrated that not only can meditation and prayer be practiced in these age ranges but that it is likely that youth already practice them or at least have had some exposure to them. We make the case that this is a critical area to understand to effectively apply the standards of competent clinical practice set forth by the Association for Spiritual, Ethical, and Religious Values in Counseling (ASERVIC, 2009) in its Spiritual Competencies, while discussing the benefits, limitations, and implications of meditation and prayer in childhood and adolescence.