Faith Practices for the Home-Church

Tools to enrich...
Caring Conversation
Rituals and Traditions
Daily Devotions

Prayer Cards for the Home-Church

Developing Your Child's Spiritual Life - Practical Suggestions

Home Word - A Daily Devotion that Encourages Parents & Builds Families

More prayer ideas...

Morning Prayers				Mealtime Prayers					Bedtime Prayers
Morning Prayer 1				Mealtime Prayer 1					Bedtime Prayer 1
You kept me safe all through the night.  I thank you God, with all my might.  Margaret Kennedy				Come, Lord Jesus, be our guest.  May these gifts to us be blessed.  Amen.  Martin Luther					Now I lay me down to sleep.  I pray the Lord my soul to keep.  When I wake to another day, I pray the Lord to guide my way.
Morning Prayer 2				Mealtime Prayer 2					Bedtime Prayer 2
Good morning God!  Help me this day, in my work and in my play.  Amen.				Lord bless the food on on our table.  Keep us healthy, strong and able.  Margaret Kennedy					I love you, God, with all my might.  Keep me safe all through the night.  Margaret Kennedy
Morning Prayer 3				Mealtime Prayer 3
Morning by morning new mercies I see.  Great is your faithfulness Lord unto me.  Thomas Chisholm				Thank you for the world so sweet.  Thank you for the foold we eat.  Thank you for the birds that sing.  Thank you, God, for everything.

Other Ways to Pray with Children

PTA Prayers (Praise, Thank, Ask)									Letters to God
1. Share your Highs & Lows of the day.									1. Share your Highs and Lows together.
2. What is one thing you would like to PRAISE God for today?									2. ADDRESS THE "LETTER":   Begin your "Letter to God" by addressing Jesus/God; e.g., "Dear Jesus..."
3. What is one thing you would like to THANK God for today?									3. BODY OF THE "LETTER":   Thank Jesus for the highs.  Ask Jesus for help with the lows.
4. What is one thing you would like to ASK God for today?									4. CLOSING THE "LETTER":   "In Jesus' name.  Amen."

Blessings

Blessings are daily rituals that communicate the presence of God in a person's life.  Share a blessing with your child, spouse, parents or yourself!  Anytime of the day is a good time for a blessing - morning, noon or night - or anytime in between!  Some great times for blessings include:

• bedtime
• before leaving the house
• before children get on the school bus or jump out of the car for school
• during a birthday celebration
• during a baptism anniversary celebration
• meal times

1. Place you hand on your child's head or shoulder.

2. Kiss your little finger and trace a cross on their forehead (Any finger will do, but when you kiss your little finger with your thumb and index finger extended you are saying "I Love You" in sign language....a great way to communicate that God's love is being shared in this blessing!)

3. Give them a special hug or create your own handshake.

4. Speak a word of blessing like:

•      "The Lord bless you..."
•      "Jesus loves you and so do I"
•      "May God's angels protect you this night"
•      "You are a baptized child of God"
•      "Go with God" 
•       or make up your own!

Children in Worship

Come early and feel your way around the worship space allowing children to see and touch different items in the sanctuary.

Name things as they are touching them:  water, cross, hymnal, Bible, candle, organ, piano, altar, etc.

Sit up front so your child can see and participate.

Props.  Give your child...

• a children's bulletin
• a Rainbow Bag
• a hymnal/bulletin
• a treat

As much as possible try to attend worship with a spouse, friend, or an adopted grandparent.  (Play a zone defense!)