Bedtime Prayer For Families

Praying with Children Blessings and Family Prayers

In ways large and small, parents seek what is best for their children. This desire is expressed in a variety of practical ways every day; such as preparing healthy foods, ensuring adequate opportunity for sleep, teaching good manners, and sharing enriching activities as a family.

Incorporating prayers of blessing into your family’s daily routine is another way to express this desire for the very best for your children. When we pray for God’s blessing, we acknowledge that God is the source of all that is good.

In prayer, we ask God to bless us, to bless others, and to bless our activities. We do so with confidence and trust in God, who also seeks what is best for each of us. To pray in blessing for our children is to join our desires for them with God’s own desire for them.

Daily life provides parents with many opportunities to offer prayers of blessing with and for their children.

Bedtime Blessings

As part of bedtime prayers, invite your child to name the people he or she would to pray for. This can take the form of a simple litany, praying, “God bless . . .” as your child names family and friends. As your child grows older, you might offer a simple prayer intention for each person as you pray.

For example, if a sibling is sick, you might ask for God’s healing presence, praying, “God bless [name] and help her [him] feel better soon.” Later, you might suggest that your child offer the prayer intention.

Conclude by praying your own prayer of blessing for your child as you trace the Sign of the Cross on your child’s forehead.

Morning Blessings

Even in the most organized households, mornings can become a frenzy of activity as family members prepare to leave for work, day care, school, and daily errands.

Establishing a morning routine that includes a prayer of blessing for family members as they leave the home can help to strengthen and encourage each person to live faithfully as a follower of Jesus.

Ask each family member to name particular challenges or activities he or she may face during the day, and pray together, asking God to bless each person and his or her activities. Parents can trace the Sign of the Cross on each child’s forehead in blessing before leaving the house each day.

Mealtime Blessings

The importance of gathering for family meals cannot be overstated. Not only are meals important for providing daily nourishment, but they are also occasions for strengthening our spirits by connecting with the people who are most central to our lives.

Meals are natural occasions for prayers of blessing. We pray in thanks to God for his goodness to us. We ask God to bless our food and make our lives a blessing to others.

Pray together Grace Before Meals and Grace After Meals.

Mealtime can also be an opportunity to ask family members to name the good things that God has shared with them throughout the day and to pray together in thanksgiving.

Blessings at Family Celebrations

Each family has its own cycle of special occasions and celebrations. Over the years, you will plan many family birthday parties, anniversaries, and celebrations of the sacraments. These occasions are also opportunities for prayers of blessing.

Be intentional about taking these opportunities for prayer and look for other occasions to celebrate and pray together as a family.

Among the occasions to consider as opportunities for family prayer and celebration include the feasts of the Church year, the anniversary of your child’s Baptism, New Year’s Day, and the start of a new school year.

Blessings in Times of Transition and Difficulty

God walks with us through the challenges and difficulties of life. Prayers of blessing call forth God’s protection and remind us of God’s faithfulness.

We can ask for God’s blessing when we make decisions, large and small, and pray for family members and friends who are discerning life choices, about new jobs, college choices, vocation to marriage, or religious life. We can pray for God’s blessings when we move to a new home.

We can ask God to bless those who are sick and offer prayers of blessing together when family members are sick. And we pray for God to bless those who are near death and those who have died.

Incorporating Items Blessed for Prayer

The Church has a rich sacramental tradition. Holy water and blessed candles can be brought into the home and used for family prayer. Crosses, crucifixes, rosaries, statues, and icons can be blessed by a priest, making them holy reminders of God’s power and presence in our lives. Display these sacred objects in your home and make them focal points for your family prayer. 

Prayers of blessing for these occasions and many others can be found in Catholic Household Blessings & Prayers: Revised Edition (Washington, DC: United States Conference of Catholic Bishops, 2008).

Источник: //www.loyolapress.com/our-catholic-faith/family/praying-as-a-family/praying-with-children-blessings-and-family-prayers

Two Bedtime Prayers for Weary Parents

God has called parents to a difficult task. We are called to prevent the giant pile of children’s laundry from overtaking the house, cook meals for picky eaters, and clean up never-ending messes. But most importantly, we are given the eternally significant duty to “bring [our children] up in the discipline and instruction of the Lord” (Ephesians 6:4).

It can be a tiresome undertaking. Some days you plunge headlong into another challenging day of childrearing, praying God will help you make it to bedtime alive.

After the bath and toothbrushing, and fetching a glass of water, and the search for the lost stuffed animal, and the barrage of excuses trying to delay lights out, you’re tempted to skip prayer time, say a quick goodnight, shut the door, and crumb into the nearest sofa.

I want to suggest two modest prayers to help you slow down during those moments when you tuck the kids into bed. This isn’t a list of theoretical principles or a fifteen-item list of prayer requests for your kids.

Weary parents need simple and memorable prayers.

When your mind is still spinning from the day’s labors, may these three-word prayers enable you to take the few extra moments to linger with your children in the quietness of bedtime.

“Father, forgive me.”

The best way to avoid putting your children to bed in frustration or anger is to remind yourself and your kids that you, too, are a sinner in need of forgiveness.

Confess your parenting failures to God before your children. Plead with him to protect your children from your anger, lack of patience, and failure to display the gospel in all its glory.

Ask the Father for forgiveness in front of your children.

In doing so, you set an example for your children. They see what it looks to be a child of God. Our Father does not want us to hide our sins from him or one another.

They get to watch as the grace of the gospel washes over your spirit, reviving your weary soul.

“Father, forgive them.”

I often look into the eyes of my little boys after they have hit their brother or yelled in disobedient anger, searching with the question: “Why did you do this?” The most common response I receive is: “I don’t know.

” In those sad moments, I’m reminded of Christ’s prayer as he hung on the cross: “Father, forgive them, for they know not what they do.” That is the state of our children’s hearts. When they sin, they don’t always fully comprehend what they’ve done or why they’ve done it.

As parents, we must imitate Jesus by pleading for God’s mercy and forgiveness for our kids with the simple prayer, “Father, forgive them.”

Each night, God will begin to cultivate in us the compassionate heart of Jesus. He sees our children as “harassed and helpless, sheep without a shepherd” (Matthew 9:36).

As we pray, the irritations of the day will melt into gentle, soft pleading on behalf of our children who do not comprehend the wrath that awaits sinful and grumbling souls who do not repent.

When it comes to this kind of intercessory prayer, Paul tells us, “This is good, and it is pleasing in the sight of God our Savior, who desires all people to be saved and to come to the knowledge of the truth” (1 Timothy 2:3–4).

Ultimately, this is a prayer of trust. It tells God, “I trust you with the life of this child. I trust the gospel. I trust that you want to save sinners, just my little boy, my little girl.” God has placed that child in your family and under your loving care for a purpose. Plead with him to forgive through the blood of Jesus and pray that in his good time he will bring salvation.

A Father to You and Your Children

Both prayers begin with one of the most gracious words in the Christian parent’s vocabulary: Father.

In the midst of parenting failures and struggles, it’s easy to forget that we have a heavenly Father who is watching over us in love.

No one can put it better than the apostle: “See what kind of love the Father has given to us, that we should be called children of God; and so we are!” (1 John 3:1).

Источник: //www.desiringgod.org/articles/two-bedtime-prayers-for-weary-parents

The Importance of Daily Prayer for Children & Families

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The Importance of Daily Prayer for Children & Families

November 05, 2015

Prayer is talking to God. It’s the simple opening of one’s heart to our father in Heaven. It’s coming to Him and telling Him everything in our hearts. God Himself asks us to pray.

This is expressed through the Apostle Paul, who told the Christians at Ephesus. ‘Pray in the spirit on all occasions with all kinds of prayers and requests…’ (Ephesians 6: 18). Prayer is powerful and can change a life.

Daily prayer is important for the following reasons:

1. Prayer brings you closer to God

In any relationship, communication is the key to success. When you communicate, you are able to know more about a person. This also applies to your relationship with God.

Through talking to God, we learn more about who He is. To understand our Father, we need to pray and read the Bible each day both as individuals and as a family.

It’s the only way we can lead a life of intimacy with God.

2. Prayer protects

The words uttered in a prayer have wonder-working powers. Never underestimate the power of prayer. Life is full of trials and obstacles that can sometimes lead us to question faith.

Pray every morning and evening, pray for your children and teach them how to pray. When you make prayer part of your life, you reinforce your faith in the face of obstacles.

Even when challenges come your way, with prayer, you know that you are not alone as no weapon forged against you shall proper, as Isaiah 54:17 teaches us.

3. Prayer Heals

Jesus healed the sick while He was on earth. He gave authority to His disciples to heal. Jesus Christ has also given those who believe in him authority to heal. James 5: 14-16, talks about how prayer of a righteous man is powerful and effective. If you have any physical or emotional pain, then praying and reading the bible can begin the healing process.

4. Prayer brings breakthrough

If you are struggling to work through an issue, prayer can bring miracles. Open your heart to God and share your burdens. Even if the breakthrough doesn’t happen immediately, God gives you the grace and strength to keep going.

Teaching Our Children to Pray

The Bible contains many promises that we can include in both our prayers for children and daily confessions for our families. Children are gifts from God, and it’s the duty of parents to instill in them the values and characters they need to become good Christians. Here are simple ways to teach children how to pray.

1. Pray together every day

To begin with, pray with your child every day. He or she will be able to learn by example, and seeing you pray is a great example. Let your children know the importance of praying before a meal, in the morning and before bedtime. By setting a routine, your children will want to continue on their own.

2. Let them see you pray

It’s important that you pray aloud when your children are around. Whenever a situation arises that evokes prayer, take time and involve children. Children take note and will learn to use prayer in the same way.

3. Talk about prayer

From the beginning of your child’s life, teach them about prayer. Give your children simple explanation about prayer. It opens up dialogue and allows your children to ask questions.

1. Before meals

Praying before meals is a good habit to teach your child to be thankful for what they have.

If your children are involved in any community service, this is the perfect time to reflect on how others may find themselves in different circumstances.

Many children can learn this simple prayer over meals, “God is good. Let us thank Him for our food. By his hands we are fed. Provide us with our daily bread. Amen.”

2. Bedtime prayer

Getting children on the habit of praying before bed helps them reflect on their actions for the day, and ask for guidance for the following day. Try teaching them a simple bedtime prayer such as this: “Father, thank you for your blessings today. Thank you for taking good care of me and my family. Protect us throughout the night. Amen.”

3. Morning Prayer

This simple prayer sets the tone for the day, “Dear God, as I rise this morning, I thank you for a restful night and the gift of a new day. Guide me as I walk through this day. I am grateful for all the blessings in my life. As I start my day, I trust you to guide me in everything I do. Amen.”

Additional resources for daily prayer

There are countless Christian books and resources online to find inspiration for daily prayer rituals. For example, websites Josh McDowell Ministries and Focus on the Family offer daily devotionals and prayers for kids and adults.

For families on the go, bible apps YouVersion puts the Bible at your fingertips in an instant.
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Источник: //ccanv.com/the-importance-of-daily-prayer-for-children-families/

Bedtime Prayers for the Family

Bedtime Prayers

FOR THE FAMILY

ENDING THE DAY TOGETHER WITH PRAYER

Copyright © 2005 W Publishing Group

All rights reserved. No portion of this book may be reproduced, stored in a retrieval system, or transmitted in any form or by any means—electronic, mechanical, photocopy, recording, or any other—except for brief quotations in printed reviews, without the prior permission of the publisher.

W Publishing books may be purchased in bulk for educational, business, fund-raising, or sales promotional use. For information, please e-mail SpecialMarkets@ThomasNelson.com.

Published by W Publishing Group, a division of Thomas Nelson, Inc., P.O. Box 141000, Nashville, Tennessee 37214.

Unless otherwise indicated, Scripture quotations used in this book are from THE NEW KING JAMES VERSION (NKJV). Copyright © 1979, 1980, 1982 by Thomas Nelson, Inc. All rights reserved.

Scripture quotations noted NIV are from the HOLY BIBLE, NEW INTERNATIONAL VERSION®. Copyright © 1973, 1978, 1984 by International Bible Society. Used by permission of Zondervan Publishing House. All rights reserved.

Scripture quotations noted KJV are from the KING JAMES VERSION of the Holy Bible.

Selections for this edition of Bedtime Prayers for the Familywere made by Elizabeth Kea.

Library of Congress Cataloging-in-Publication Data

Bed time prayers for the family : ending the day together with prayer.

   p. cm.

ISBN 0-8499-1846-4

1. Family—Prayer-books and devotions—English. 2. Prayers. 3. Family— Religious life. I. W Publishing Group.

BV255.B38 2005

242'.8—dc22

2004029436

Printed in the United States of America

05 06 07 08 QWM 6 5 4 3 2 1

CONTENTS

INTRODUCTION

I. REFLECTIONS ON THE DAY

II. PRAYERS OF COMFORT AND PEACE

III. AS I LAY ME DOWN TO SLEEP

IV. BBEDTIME PRAYERS FOR OTHERS

V. BEDTIME PRAYERS FOR HOLIDAYS AND MEMORABLE DAYS

VI. BEDTIME PRAYERS FOR CHILDREN

VII. OUR FAMILY’S OWN SPECIAL PRAYERS

ACKNOWLEDGMENTS

INTRODUCTION

If your family is most, bedtime may be the only time of day when everyone’s activities have slowed down and you are able to spend a few moments together. You may chat about the successes and failures of the day, or plans for the following day, then, before turning out the lights, thank the One who created the day and who now gently draws it to a close.

Perhaps your bedtime prayers are ones you learned when you were small and now recite to your own children, or perhaps you and your family simply pray whatever is on your heart each evening. Whatever way you speak with God at bedtime, we hope that Bedtime Prayers for theFamilywill be a source of inspiration and comfort as your family shares this important time.

We have included prayers from believers who come from many different walks of life, but all share a desire to thank God for His goodness, to know Him more intimately, and to be always under His watchful care. May their prayers capture the very heart of your desires as well and give words to your petitions.

Prayers of Comfort and Peace will be a warm blanket, enveloping you in the love and peace of your Father who holds all things in His care and control. As I Lay Me Down to Sleep contains bedtime prayers that ask God for His protection and balm of rest throughout the night.

Bedtime Prayers for Others reminds us of those who most need our prayers at night—the lonely, the sick, and those pouring out their lives for God’s service.

Bedtime Prayers for Holidays and Memorable Daysincludes prayers with which to close joyful, celebratory days, such as birthdays, Christmas, and Easter, as well as prayers for memorable yet sad days, such as after the death of a loved one or when moving.

We have also compiled a large selection of children’s prayers that you can read to your children when they are young, or they can read themselves as they grow older. This section includes many familiar classics, as well as lighthearted prayers that are sure to become your children’s favorites.

We hope Bedtime Prayers for the Familywill

Источник: //www.scribd.com/book/170443074/Bedtime-Prayers-for-the-Family

8 Good Bedtime Prayers for Couples

Before bedtime, some couples may look to saying a prayer together that send their request to God for a long standing marriage that will last for years to come. Thanking Him for the goodness in our lives is just one way to rekindle romance and love. Here is a look at some great bedtime prayers for couples.

Prayer #1

O Lord,

You are Lord over all creation. Everyday we are surrounded by the miracle of life. Your creativity bursts across the skies at sunset, it emerges from spring buds that bloom. Thank you for the beauty of marriage. three streams that merge into one single river, you are journeying with us.

You are the creative, restoring current that runs through our relationship.

May we stand strong in our friendship a tall oak tree. May we pull together through the different seasons of our lives so that we become closer. May we ride out the storms and rest in the fair weather.

May we care for one another, so that we blossom and bloom as individuals. May we have your vision as we soar above the everyday to glimpse the kingdom of heaven. May we learn the truth of real beauty as we change and age together.

Thank you that through your strength and grace we are able to love, care and provide for our loved ones and the wider world.

Amen.

Prayer #2

Dear Heavenly Father,

Thank you for this life, for the gift of love, and the blessing of our marriage. We give you praise for the joy you’ve poured into our hearts through this love, for the contentment of family, and the happiness of our home. May we always treasure the experience of loving each other in this holy union.

Help us to remain forever committed to our vows, those we made to each other, and to you, Lord.

We will need your strength daily Lord, as we live together with the goal of following and serving you. Develop within is us the character of your Son, Jesus, that we might love each other with the love he demonstrated—with patience, respect, understanding, honesty, forgiveness and kindness.

Let us always be a support to one another—a friend to listen and encourage, a refuge from the storm, and most importantly, a warrior in prayer.

Holy Spirit, guide us through the difficult moments of life and comfort us in our grief. May our lives together bring glory to you, our Savior, and testify of your love.

In Jesus’ Name.
Amen.

Prayer #3

Lord Jesus,

Grant that I and my spouse may have a true and understanding love for each other. Grant that we may both be filled with faith and trust. Give us the grace to live with each other in peace and harmony.

May we always bear with one another’s weaknesses and grow from each other’s strengths.

Help us to forgive one another’s failings and grant us patience, kindness, cheerfulness and the spirit of placing the well-being of one another ahead of self.

Let our love grow to perfection.

Amen.

Prayer #4

O Lord, Holy Father, omnipotent and eternal God, we give you thanks and we bless your holy name. You created man and woman in your image and blessed their union, so that each would be for the other a help and support. Remember us today. Protect us and grant that our love may be in the image of the devotion and love of Christ for his Church.

Grant us a long and fruitful life together, in joy and in peace, so that, through your Son and in the Holy Spirit, our hearts may always rise to you in praise and goods works.

Amen.

Prayer #5

Heavenly Father, I thank you for my husband. I thank you for all that he does on a daily basis to keep our family stable. I pray that you would continue to grace him to do all that you have purposed for him to do, and that your will for his life would be made clear.

I pray that you would grant him wisdom and knowledge so that he can make Godly decisions in our home, and at his work place. I pray that he would find favor wherever he goes, and that he would be a blessing to everyone he meets. Help him to be a Godly husband to me, and a Godly father to our children.

Let him be a man of influence for you. Let others look upon him and see the hope of your glory. Enable him to see himself as you see him, he is more than a conquer, and he can do all things through your strength. Father, silence all other voices in his mind, and his social circle that would tear him down and give him confidence and boldness in you Lord.

Help him to come to know you more and more every day, and to seek your face and not the approval of man. Teach him to hear and follow your voice, in Jesus name, Amen.

Prayer #6

Heavenly Father, I pray on today that you would help me to be a better wife to my husband. Teach me your ways oh Lord so that I may know them, and so that you would be pleased with
me.

Help me to show my husband honor as unto you Lord, and encourage him in all that he does. Help me to submit to his authority and not rebel.
For to rebel against him, is to rebel against you. Give me discernment Lord to know what to say, how to say it, and when not to say anything at all. Fill my mouth with good things so that I can build him up with my words.

Let me be that safe, soft place that he can rest on when the world has beaten him down. Let me be the lifter of his head. I thank you for making me a suitable help meet for him. Thank you for making me a Godly wife, so that you may be glorified. In Jesus name, Amen.

Prayer #7

Father God, I thank you for my wife. I thank you for all that she does on a daily basis to make sure our home runs smoothly. I pray that you would continue to give her grace, and that she would not ever feel overwhelmed.

I pray that she would know her worth and her beauty, show her that she is fearfully and wonderfully made. Let her know that you have a plan to prosper her, and not harm her. Let her know that she does have a future and hope through you.

Help her not to be anxious about anything but to always make her request known to you by prayer. Draw her into a closer relationship with you that she may truly know you as her Father, her source. Speak to her in times of quietness and always direct her path as she places her trust in you. In Jesus name, Amen.

Prayer #8

Father God, help me to be a better husband to my wife. Teach me how to make her my number one priority and demonstrate to her her true value. Let my actions and decisions be trust worthy, and fair. Show me how to listen to her and welcome her counsel in my times of decision making.

Make me aware of any plan, or scheme the enemy has launched against my wife so that I may stand against the adversary by the power of your might. Help me to be a lover of your word so that I may fight the enemy’s attacks with your word!

Teach me not be overbearing where she is concerned, and never demanding. But instead show me how to demonstrate your perfect love to her. Help me to love her as you love the church. In Jesus name, Amen.

Here is a look at a great bedtime prayer to help you relax before resting for the night. This will reassure you that God is looking after you and send you a peaceful rest.

About the Author of this Blog Post
Crystal Ayres has served as our editor-in-chief for the last five years. She is a proud veteran, wife and mother. The goal of ConnectUs is to publish compelling content that addresses some of the biggest issues the world faces. If you would to reach out to contact Crystal, then go here to send her a message.

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