Many of you may share with me the practice of saying bedtime prayers with your children when you tuck them into bed at night. This habit is good for children and adults alike. Taking the time to slow down at the end of the day and to be mindful of the gift of life is a great way to lower stress and raise enjoyment.
I grew up saying a traditional bedtime prayer, “Now I lay me down to sleep. I pray the Lord my soul to keep. If I shall die before I wake, I pray to the Lord my soul to take.” As a child, those last words about the possibility of me dying before I woke and asking the Lord to take my soul was pretty scary stuff to say out-loud, just before I was left alone and in the dark.
When my first daughter was born 5 years ago, I decided that our family would say a new bedtime prayer and this is what we say before we close our eyes at night: “Now I lay me down to sleep. I thank you Lord for all I keep. Protect our family through the night. Keep us safe and hold us tight.”
After we say this prayer, I ask each of my girls four questions: Who would you like to ask God to bless? What would you like to tell God you’re sorry for? What would you like to ask God to help you with? What would you like to thank God for?
We take turns sharing our answers to these questions. For the past year, my now 2 1/2 year old has been asking God to help her paint. She’s quite the artist these days so I think her prayers are working!
I am blessed to have this nightly experience with my children. I end each day in awe of my children’s thoughts, feelings, daily reflections, and hopes for tomorrow. I’m amazed each evening at what I hear and how I feel as together we say our bed time prayers. And I know it helps me to end my day on the right note.
Coaching Inquiries: How is it that you end your day? Would saying bedtime prayers be a good habit for your family to establish? What is important for you to say to your children? What is most important for you to reflect upon before you tuck yourself into bed?
