Plan Be
Be Dedicated to: Family - Meal & NightTime Prayers
Today I asked my three boys (ages 19, 21, and 24, all out of the nest) if they remember what prayers we used to recite together on Colby’s bed every night when they were younger. They all texted me the same prayers! Amazing that they still remember as my memory had failed to recall some of these precious prayers but I loved the moments. God bless their young memories! Being dedicated to a family prayers can really have wonderful payoffs. I am sharing our precious family time prayers. Please feel free to use them, and/or share with us the ones you say with your family. Here is a trip down my memory lane ... DinnerTime (still say this even today, no matter where we are or who’s watching) Bless us O Lord and these thy gifts for which we are about to receive, from thy bounty, through Christ, our Lord, Amen. Then we would popcorn pray out loud for anyone/anything pressing (e.g. if a neighbor/family member/friend was sick, hurting or needing prayers of encouragement). ------------------------------------ (3) Blessings & (1+) Bummer During dinner we would then go around the table and everyone would share at least three blessings and one bummer of the day. This made for great family discussion and kept us attuned with where everyone was at in their stage of life. Please note, it is very important to keep your kids’ focus on the positives in life (“blessings”), but it is crucial to talk about young kids’ “bummers” too. If your kid has more bummers than blessings, then the family needs to be aware of this and try to help them, be supportive in working through their problems, and ultimately focus on the blessings in their life. Having everyone talk at the dinner table is a great way for each member to listen to each other, stay connected and support each other. Glass Half-Empty Some people think more negatively, therefore, this is a great exercise in focusing on the blessings in their lives which they may not even acknowledge. Glass Half-Full Some people may naturally think more positively, or may feel the need to appear a certain positive way, and may feel the need to keep negative emotions to themselves, therefore, this is a great exercise in expressing their thoughts instead of suppressing them. It's ok to have bummers. People disappoint. Life if far from perfect ;) ------------------------------------- NightTime Prayers with My Boys I’m happy to share our NightTime Prayers. Please note that this is just how we did it. You may have different prayers that are more relevant to your family. I applaud you to find your own Scripture that uplifts you and your kids, thereby drawing them closer to their Creator, developing a relationship with Friend Jesus and the Holy Spirit. Jesus says, “This, then, is how you should pray: “Our Father in heaven, hallowed be your name, your kingdom come, your will be done, on earth as it is in heaven. Give us today our daily bread. And forgive us our debts, as we also have forgiven our debtors. And lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from the evil one.” [Matthew 6:9-13, NIV] The Light of God surrounds me, the Love of God enfolds me, the Power of God protects me, the Presence of God watches over me. Wherever I am, God is. (Heard this prayer from someone on a morning talk show once) "A gentle word answer turns away wrath, but a harsh word stirs up anger." [Proverbs 15:1] “For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him, shall not perish but have eternal life.” [John 3:16] "In peace I will lie down and sleep, for you alone, O Lord, make me dwell in safety. [Psalms 4:8] --------------------------------- It is never too late to pray with your kids (no matter how old they are). Start today! As a wise young man, who was a football player at Arizona State University told my son, Troy, when Troy was interviewing him for a sports broadcast, “The good news is that Jesus always meets you right where your two feet are!” I just love that and have never forgotten his words. I just wish I could remember his name. :/ Be Designed to Be
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AuthorsCHRISTIE & SANDI Archives
April 2021
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