Evening Prayer

This evening my husband, our daughter Elena (15 months old) and I gathered at her crib for her bedtime prayer. Jeff held her in his arms and put his hand on her little head, I stood with each of my hands on each of them. Right after Jeff began to pray I felt Elena's tiny hand rest on my head! I nearly teared up!

Because of my husband's work schedule, 5 nights a week I am the one who prays with Elena at bedtime. During the 2 nights a week that we are both there for these prayers, our togetherness seems to make it all the more meaningful.

I love the above illustration by Jessie Wilcox Smith; doesn't it strike a chord in you, too? Prayer binds us together and binds us to our God - may our hearts and households be full of prayer.

It is my goal to help create a household in which our children know that my husband and I love God, we love each other, we love them, and that God loves us all. I'm always trying to keep this goal in the front of my mind, both because it is important, and because I'm not entirely sure I have a handle on how to make this happen. So, it is something that I pray about. Much good has come from these prayers; it seems that there is nearly always some way to demonstrate each of those loves as we live out each day. We are not perfect. I do not have all the answers. But I wanted to share this painting with you, dear readers, as well as tonight's sweet little prayer time scene by the crib.

How does your family make prayer a part of household life? Please feel very welcome to comment on what works for you, as I hope to foster some dialogue on this and learn from you all.