Do You Pray With Your Child at Night
Spend those quiet minutes before bed with your child and prayer
What? Another Thing To Do While Putting My Child To Bed?
It’s the end of the day and your ‘free time‘ is getting closer. The kids are ready for bed and you’re ushering them into their bedroom. A few more steps and ‘free time’!
Have you thought about praying with your child at night? You know how to pray….it’s a relationship with God where you talk with Him about everything. Does your child know how you pray?
The Old Stand By Night Time Prayer
Many children have been taught the old stand by,
“Now I lay me down to sleep, pray the Lord my soul to keep. If I should die before I wake, I pray the Lord my soul will take.”
We All Start Somewhere!
We all start somewhere, but I’m sure you’re past that beginning prayer in your personal prayer life by now. Why not show your child how you pray…just a casual conversation with a loving Father God. No thee’s and thous, but lots of thank yous and making your requests known. Try a little singing to God with them, making up their own ‘thank you’ or ‘I love you’ song to God. Keep it simple and you’ll be amazed at how profound those little ones can be.
Grandparents Praying With Grandchildren
Grandparents, when you have the grandchildren overnight, it’s a great time to teach them how you pray to God too. They may even ask you why you do what you do when you pray. My grandchildren learned from baby on how I talk with God. There were a lot of questions every time. You won’t see little children getting all ‘religious’ about talking with God.
Introduce Your Children To God Through Prayer
The first time you pray with your children and grand children, take the time to introduce them to God just like you would introduce your friends to your children. You wouldn’t believe how much you’ll wish you’d have done all this when they are older. You’re establishing their hearts today to keep them when they are older. You’re setting them up for that relationship with an eternal loving God. Some day they will choose who they will serve…you’re getting them ready for that choice.
Use Cell Phone Recorder to Capture Child’s Prayers
Another thought….when you’re praying with your children, get your cell phone and look for the way to record on it. Some record via video and some have a way to just record. Don’t make a big deal out of it. Lay the cell phone turned on next to the bed where the recorder can pick up those tiny little voices talking with God. Read your cell phone instructions or ask your cell phone service provider how to send the recording to your computer for saving. It would make a super gift to send to grandparents!
How did you introduce your child to prayer? Love your comments!
I love your books illustrations! I want to purchase them as Christmas gifts this year. Please let me know if you have a special. 🙂
Okay, now back to the matter at hand: praying with my kiddos. We have moved beyond the little prayer you mentioned and my oldest daughter prefers to pray by herself now in her own way. My youngest, is another matter entirely. She wants to rush through so she can spend more time talking with me, so I’m going to try your song idea. We are very Improv here and I think she’ll like it.
Thanks!
Linda Kinsman recently posted..JAFRA Product of the Week
Linda,
Thanks for asking about my children’s books! I’ll make up a special just for you… :O)
Your one daughter has reached a ‘privacy please’ age. I love that she’s learning to spread her own wings on prayer.
Your youngest daughter sounds like she could come up with some wonderful songs. Be sure to get your cell phone ready to capture her sweet voice. The day comes when it’s harder to remember those intimate moments.
Thanks for commenting! You always leave helpful info for parents.
DonnaPerugini recently posted..Do You Pray With Your Child at Night
Thanks for emailing me Donna. I can’t wait to order the books for Christmas. Yes, I’m already thinking of Christmas gifts. 🙂
You are so right about my oldest wanting her privacy, but I know she talks with the Lord and spends time with her bible.
I will do my best to remember my cell phone with my youngest, I never seem to have it with me.
I always smile when visiting your blog, keep up the awesome work!
Linda Kinsman recently posted..Friday Follow Up
Oh, thank you, Linda!
DonnaPerugini recently posted..Do You Pray With Your Child at Night
I grew up with mom and dad teaching me how to pray even in my toddler years… So I made sure that my children also grew up with me praying together.
Hi, Maxine,
It’s great that both your parents prayed with you. Did you remember praying as a toddler because your parents told you? You have passed on a wonderful way of life to your children!
Yes, I pray with my toddlers. I love listening to them saying their own prayers.
Carol,
I love hearing parents talk about praying with their toddlers.
Remember to keep a recording device (cell phone) in your pocket or by your toddlers bed so you can capture their sweet little tinkling voice when they’re grown.
Matt and I have desired to have another child since we were married… we would always pray “Lord give us a child”… then add a small “if it’s your will”, which really meant.. I’m just saying that to make me SOUND like I care, but really — I want a child no matter what you have in store. After 10 miscarriages, a very humbleing experience… our prayer has changed to “We want a child – but if this is not your plan for you to fill this void somehow — then take the desire away”… We can get so caught up in what WE want and forget what GOD wants… knowing that God will never withhold anything good from us (of course forgot the verse, but I WILL find it for you) has reminded me that only HE knows what is good & right for our lives.
Adriana,
You’ve brought up some good thoughts about God’s will. According to the bible, His will is His Word (the scriptures). The more we know about what promises are ours, the closer we get to receiving His answers by faith.
Jesus said, “The devil comes to steal, kill and destroy. I am come to give life and life more abundantly.” John 10:10 There are numerous scriptures that confirm His love for us. He also says, “No good thing will He withhold from them who walk uprightly.”
If you would like to talk about this further or ask me to pray with you, let me know.