I was raised to pray often but not always at the expected time. For example, while I was growing up we prayed AFTER we ate breakfast, right before our family devotions. I remember my dad coming into our rooms at night once we were in bed and saying prayers with us several nights a week. To this day my family will join hands and pray before we go on any kind of trip - my mom often laying hands on our car to protect us for the journey ahead.
I've tried to be intentional about where and when I pray with Owen. I'll admit to not being the best about praying at dinner - although we do try to have a short bible story after supper each night. I do always pray at bedtime. Getting to rock my little boy before bed at night is the sweetest moment of my day. Recently I've started praying before we get out of the car at daycare. I'll climb in the back seat and before I unbuckle his seat belt, we'll hold hands and say a short prayer for the day ahead.
Today I was rushing - I was running late to work as usual, but still stopped to say a quick prayer. It had been a few weeks since we'd gone through our ritual - we were in California last week and Owen was home sick most of the week before. As I said "Amen" and Owen repeated after me, he said something new.
"Another one Momma." I looked around for a bus or truck on the road - he's often pointing them out and says "another one" as they come around the corner. I couldn't see a bus, but still Owen was saying "another one." I looked down at him and he had folded his hands again. He wanted to pray.
"Ok" I said, but before I could begin he said so quietly, so sweetly, so preciously, "Dear God." He paused...he couldn't think of what else to say. "I love you very much" I whispered in his ear to prompt him. "I love You much" he said, "Amen!" And then clapped loudly very proud of himself.
I was very, very proud of him too.
