For a couple years now we've been trying to teach Spencer he can say prayers by himself; we don't always have to tell him exactly what to say. Today was our payoff--finally!
Spence: "I want to say the prayer."
Me: "Okay. Just remember to bless the food."
Spence: ". . . .bless my talk. Bless my mommy will stay home tonight to give me a kiss." (I've been gone to meetings lately during bed time) "Help Dad to fly all the people in airplanes. Bless my tummy won't be to full . . . ."
Me: "Thank You! You did that all by yourself!"
Spence: "I think it's inside me."
Sometimes I wonder if my reaction to how my children act about certain things hinders them. For this very reason I've tried really really hard to not pressure them about prayer because I want it to come from them. I was just beginning to wonder if I needed to be a little more strict about not helping them know what to say in their prayers. This would be my answer. They just do it when their ready! And even better--he says a prayer better then I could help him say it!
2 comments:
I love little kids prayers because they are just what they are thinking about and what is most important to them. There is really something to be learned from hearing a child pray. How precious!
Thanks for including this on your blog. Keyan used to always want to say the prayer by himself (as much as a 2 year old can) but lately he doesn't want to fold his arms, let alone say the prayer. I don't think we purposely mean to put pressure on our kids, but they must feel it in even the smallest ways. We'll have to lay off and, like you, let it come from inside, too :)
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