… actually many lives.

My parents did a phenomenal work teaching me the priority and practice of prayer. At bedtime, before “lights out”, we gathered as a family on bended knee for prayer time. Who knew that simple routine would profoundly impact lives. Well of course, God did!

When God gave Katie to us, Mike and I continued the tradition of bedtime prayers. Leaning over a small white crib in Grapevine, TX, our hands placed on her tiny body (in that soft, blue snugly), we prayed nightly.

• We are so thankful God gave YOU to us.
• God did such a beautiful job creating you.
• We ask You Father that Katie would love You all the days of her life.
• We pray she would ask Jesus to be her Savior at the earliest age possible.
• Cause her to be a student of Your Word; a woman of prayer; give her a spirit like Mary.

Many bed time prayers began with a crib, a baby, and hearts full of hope. Then, our tiny civilization grew. God gave Will and Emory in His perfect time! Bedtime prayers continued with 5 of us on bended knee, as my parents did with me.

As the kids grew, we taught them how to pray for each other – how to “carry one another’s burden in prayer” (Galatians 6:2). Katie would pray for Will’s bball game – that he would play his best. Will prayed for Katie’s dance recital. Emory, being the baby, tried her best to participate. It was ok that she wiggled and squirmed like a 2-year-old, because she was one!

With all the kids, we made specific requests, praying specific character qualities over them. A spirit of obedience and a heart to obey dominated our list.

One particular night, I was praying “Daniel” over Will. The attributes and character qualities of the prophet Daniel. I prayed, “Father, make Will into a mighty man of God like Daniel. A man of prayer. A man of Your Word. A man of courage. A man of integrity.” It was familiar to Will, because I spent a semester studying the Book of Daniel.

Then it came… one of my sweetest memories of prayer time. As we together said “Amen”, Will looked up at me.  In his husky, little-man voice, at the age of 6, he said, “Mama, you know how you pray Daniel over me? Well, I really do like it. But, could you start praying David over me?”

Of course Will! What a great choice! Scripture says “David was a man after God’s own heart” and I am certain you will like the fact he fought off bears and lions and Goliath too. “Yes Mama, I do!” Will was very enthusiastic. And God was too.

It is never too late – I encourage you to begin the tradition of bedtime prayers – even if you have pre-teens. It is so very important that our children hear our prayers for them. Our declarations of faith prayed over them will impact and influence their destiny.

Life and death are in the power of the tongue… Proverbs 18:21 (HCSB)

Moms (& Dads), God is pleased by your bedtime prayers, on bended knee, before “lights out”.