Bedtime Prayers

Two nights ago, our little family sat down together to read worship and pray with the boys before bedtime.  First, we read from the toddler devotional and then we read from the Bible story collection.  The boys were captured by the vivid details for each story.  They listened respectfully as the Bible verses were read.  Then, they knelt down to pray.

Son #2 began.  "Dear Jesus.  Tan to for nite nite.  Tan to for the food.  I love you.  Amen."  (Translation:  Dear Jesus.  Thank you for night night.  Thank you for the food.  I love you.  Amen.)

We all echoed.  "Amen."  My husband look at our eldest son and said. "Now, it's your turn."

Son #1 bowed his head, closed his eyes, and folded his hands.   He softly began.  "Dear Jesus..."

Just as my eldest son started his prayer, Son #2 loudly continued.  "Dear Jesus.  Tan to for dis day.  Hep me to be goo.  I love you.  Amen."  (I don't want to translate.  I just want you to think he wants to be goo.)

Son #1 laughed and shouted playfully.  "Hey!  It's my turn!"

I giggled and whispered to Son #2.  "Shhh!"

My husband directed Son #1 to begin again.  Son #1 said respectfully.  "Dear Jesus..."

Again, Son #2 interrupted his older brother.  "Dear Jesus.  Tan to for da food.  Tan to for nite nite."

Son #1 tried to help his brother finish the prayer.  "I..."

Son #2 would not hear of it.  "Oh no no no no no!"  Then, Son #2 continued undisturbed.  "I love you.  Amen."

"Amen!"  We all echoed.  My husband turned to our oldest son and said.  "O.K. Try again."

Son #1 settled down to pray with a small giggle.  "Dear Jesus.  Thank you for this day..."

Son #2 jumped right into the pray.  "Dear Jesus.  Hep me to go nite nite.  Hep me to be goo.  I love you.  Amen."

This time we couldn't contain our laughter.  Poor Son #1.  He could barely get a sentence out while praying before Son #2 interrupted him.  Of course, Son #2 was just excited about his new found ability to pray.

I patted Son #1's knee and told him to try again.  Son #1 folded his hands but only closed one eye as he suspiciously peeked at his brother.  "Dear Jesus..."

Son #2 hopped right into his older brother's prayer.  "Dear Jesus.  Tan to fo Mommy, Daddy, and Brudder.  I love you.  Amen."  Son #2 grinned from ear to ear.  He was so proud of himself.

Son #1 laughed and said.  "Alright.  Now, it's my turn."  Then, he bowed his head and began.  "Dear Jesus.  Thank you for this day.  Thank you for my family, relatives, friends, and pets.  Thank you for Sabbath tomorrow.  Help me to have only good dreams and no bad dreams.  In Jesus' name.  Amen."

At the end of the prayer, Son #2 clapped his hands together and exclaimed.  "Ame-e-e-e-n!"