Bedtime Prayers

1 John 5:14 "This is the confidence that we have in approaching God: that if we ask anything according to his will, he hears us."

For bedtime prayers, we usually pray through Christmas/birthday cards that we receive throughout the year. Hannah has a pile of them in her room and we take turns praying for a different family each night. Of course, we also include various needs that arise within our church and with our family...but this works well for us. I got the idea from one of the full time staff families at Skyview and have had it tucked away in my brain for several years. Hannah loves "picking a card" and praying for those she loves.

I wasn't there for bedtime prayers tonight (I was putting Isaac to bed because of a late Wed. night :)), but Seth told me about this sweet interaction he had with Hannah.
They were finishing up Bible story time and getting ready to pray. Hannah wanted to pray for her two friends Amelia and Addison. The she remembered to "pick a card"...she picked the Mullin's (a dear couple from church that has become like family to us). Her and Seth prayed for the Mullins'...Seth for Mr. Mullins, because Seth is also a mister...and Hannah for Mrs. Mullins because Hannah is a Mrs. :) They finished up , and she said "Daddy, we forgot to pray for Amelia and Addison". Seth told her that she can pray for anyone that she wants while she's laying in bed. He said that as he left the room her heard her whisper "Dear Jesus, please be with Amelia and Addison...amen."

This story reminded me that I need to be teaching/modeling for Hannah how important it is to be talking to Jesus all through out the day. Yes, we pray before each meal and before bed...but He hears us all the time and is always there. He wants us to "pray without ceasing" (1 Thessalonians 5:17), and to walk with Him each day ("He hath shewed thee, O man, what is good; and what doth the LORD require of thee, but to do justly, and to love mercy, and to walk humbly with thy God?" Micah 6:8).

Psalm 55:22a "Cast your cares on the LORD and he will sustain you"