Summer 2008 Extras

Pray All Day

By Lorene Hanley Duquin

Summer is a wonderful time to explore new adventures and create entirely new habits.
Integrating prayer into the everyday routine is as simple as a praising God in the morning and thanking God at night. Below are some quick and easy ways to introduce your family to the Catholic tradition of morning and evening prayer time.

Morning Prayers

Stick a Post-It note on the bathroom mirror (which your children use) that says, “Thank you, God, for this new day!” Leave it there throughout the summer as a fun reminder to praise God first thing in the morning.
Sing prayer songs as you help little ones bathe and dress. It could be something as simple as “This little light of mine, I’m gonna let it shine!” Once one person starts to sing, the catchy tune will spread throughout the family.
At breakfast, pray this simple morning offering together as a family: “Lord, we offer you this day and all that we think, and do, and say.” Remind everyone that these simple words turn their entire day into a prayer.
During breakfast, you might want to ask if there’s something happening that day that anyone in the family wants to pray for. You might also want to pray as a family for family members or friends who are sick, traveling or going through a difficult time.
Remind your children that their Guardian Angel will be with them throughout the day. You might want to teach them this traditional prayer to their Guardian Angel: “Angel of God, my guardian dear, to whom God's love commits me here. Ever this day, be at my side, to light, to guard, to rule and guide.”

Evening Prayers

Before dinner, it’s important to thank God for your food. You might want to add to this prayer an opportunity for each member of the family to thank God for something good that has happened that day.
Before bed is a good time to help children reflect on the day. Teach them to tell God that they are sorry for things they may have said or done to hurt someone else. Encourage them to pray for people who have hurt them.
Bedtime is also a good time to encourage children to pray for family members and friends.
A traditional childhood evening prayer that you might want to teach your children goes like this: “God, our Father, I come to say, ‘Thank you for your love today!’”
When you tuck your children into bed, bless them with holy water. Dip your thumb into holy water and trace a cross on their foreheads with the words, “God bless you, and hold you, and keep you from harm.”
Holy water is also a great remedy for nightmares. If your child awakens from a bad dream, just sprinkle a little holy water around the room and assure your child that he or she is now protected. There is always a supply of holy water at your parish baptismal font. Just bring your own plastic bottle.

Kids love family rituals. Prayer rituals are powerful because they help kids develop a closer relationship with you and with God. They also create a spiritual foundation for your children that will last — not only through the summer — but throughout their entire lives.