My hubby and I pray with our son daily. We try to model how to have a conversation with God in hopes that when he is older prayer will flow easily. We do this is two ways right now, during family meal time and at bedtime.
It is important to us to thank God for the blessing of food even if it is a repetitive prayer. Usually, we have lunch and dinner together. We don't always get two meals a day together, but we try to as often as possible. As we being each meal, we hold hands as a family and say a common table prayer. Starting the meal the same way with our hands held, helps to demonstrate to Little E that it is time to stop for a moment and speak to God. He always gets very quiet and looks at us. As soon as we say "amen," he begins to babble and play again.
Come Lord Jesus be our guest
and let these gifts to us be blessed.
Amen
This was a prayer that I grew up saying with my family. Only on special holidays or occasions would we strike out with a different prayer. I love the simplicity of this prayer. It is short and sweet and gets to the heart of the matter. I know someday there will be questions about where Jesus sits at the table and how come the gifts aren't wrapped. I really can't wait to have these conversations with our son and future children.
We invite Jesus to our table because he gets the seat of honor. We ask him to that seat so that we can thank him for the many blessings he provides for us. We ask God to allow the gifts and blessings of these meals to bless other people. My daily prayer, is for God to use me for His glory.
My husband grew up saying another common prayer, but somehow at his family functions I always get a little mixed up with the words.
God is good, God is great
Let us thank Him for our food.
By His hands, we are fed
Thank you God for daily bread.
Amen
When Little E is older, we would like to incorporate prayer cubes. These cubes are great to use with little hands, who are learning how to pray. They are also great to use with families to build confidence in speaking and leading prayer. It takes practice to lead a prayer in front of others. This practice starts in the home by praying in front of family members. To be totally honest and transparent, praying in front of my husband is very hard for me sometimes. I get nervous and forget how to speak! I can pray in front of a large group of people, but sometimes in the intimate moments with one other person I need the Holy Spirit to intercede.
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| Thanks to Connie D. for posting this on her Pinterest board, Families in Faith! |
At bedtime, prayer is the last thing we do right before Little E snuggles to drift to sleep. Does he know what we are doing? Probably not, but we hope that by hearing familiar words each day he will begin to know the power of prayer. Depending on who leads the prayer, we either start with Martin Luther's Evening Prayer or Mama's Impromptu Prayer. The latter is not written in a book and no scholar will be commenting or giving praise. Ha!
We close as a family with the Lord's Prayer. Prayer cubes can also be used at bedtime! I can foresee a certain little boy using prayer cubes to prolong sleep in the future.
Luther's Evening Prayer
I thank You, my heavenly Father, through Jesus Christ, Your dear Son, that You have graciously kept me this day; and I pray that You would forgive me all my sins where I have done wrong, and graciously keep me this night. For into Your hands I commend myself, my body and soul, and all things. Let Your holy angel be with me, that the evil foe may have no power over me. Amen
The Lord's Prayer
Our Father who art in heaven. Hallowed be Thy name. Thy kingdom come. Thy will be done on earth as it is in heaven. Give us this day our daily bread. And forgive us our trespasses, as we forgive those who trespass against us. And lead us not into temptation but deliver us from evil. For Thine is the kingdom and the power and the glory forever and ever. Amen
Mama's Impromptu Prayer
Dear Jesus, Thank you for this day. Thank you for Mommy, Daddy, and Elijah. Protect all our family who live far away. Help us to sleep well tonight. We love you Lord. Amen.
How does your family pray together? It is a time to slow down in your day and speak to God? Does it work better to say the same prayer?
There are multiple ways to pray, but the key is that Our God listens to each of our prayers. Prayer is a conversation with God. It is that simple. There is no need for lofty words or phrase. Speak from the heart or be still and listen. Sometimes those prayers are in our hearts and minds, but God still hears us. Take some time to today to pray as a family. It will impact your day and cause you to stop in the business of life to converse with the Father.
