When my kids were little, not a bedtime would go by when my husband and I wouldn’t pray with them. They would say a short prayer and then we followed with one of our own, often laying hands on them and blessing them before they went to sleep.
Now that they’re older, I’ll admit those bedtime prayers have become fewer and farther between. Although we encourage our kids to pray on their own, we’ve gotten away from praying with them. And I miss it.
God implores parents to speak to their children about Him and His ways when we rise and when we lie down. (Deuteronomy 11:19). It’s pretty obvious that, “when we lie down” refers to bedtime. Unfortunately, my husband and I have gotten lazy and haven’t abided by God’s command. And, no matter how old they get, as long as they live under our roof, we are responsible for obeying God’s instruction.
The truth is, praying with our children is one of the most beneficial things (not to mention, rewarding) that we can do. It teaches them not only how to pray, but our prayers open up the doors for God to do glorious things in and through our kids!
Maybe you used to pray with your kids and have gotten away from it like we have. Or maybe you’ve never prayed with them, due to feeling inadequate or because you just never got into the habit.
Here are some things we can do either to get back to the bedtime prayers that were once a regular part of our day or begin a new custom altogether.
• Make up your mind. Decide right now that praying with your kids will begin tonight.
• Ask God for help. It’s important for parents to pray for their kids on their own and together as a couple. Ask God to not only put a hunger for Him in your kids’ hearts but also ask Him to increase your desire and discipline to pray with your kids every night.
• Choose faith over fear. If you feel inept at prayer because your parents never prayed with you as a child or you don’t know where to start, take control of your fear and press through it. Your kids don’t care about eloquent words or flowery phrases – and neither does God. And, just like with anything else, the more you practice, the easier and more comfortable it will become.
• Location, location, location. When our kids were little, we alternated bedrooms each night. We met in my daughter’s room one night, my son’s the next. Maybe you’ll choose to meet in the living room or kitchen for your nightly prayer. Selecting a location sets the routine in motion.
• Everyone take a turn. Hold hands and go around the circle, each saying a prayer of your own. Or, allow a different family member to say the entire prayer each evening, rotating from youngest to older or vice, versa.
• Read books on prayer. There are so many wonderful books available that teach not only how to pray, but also suggest specific prayers to say with and for your children. It doesn’t matter that they’re not words you made up. There is only one requirement: simply that you speak them from your heart.
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