Let's Pray!

~ Posted on Tuesday, August 3, 2010 at 3:16 PM ~

Ever since I started Ben on solids when he turned 6 months old, I make it a habit to say to him "Let's pray before we eat" which then progressed to "What do we do before we eat?" to which Ben will clasped his hands together with gestures of praying.

Our short and simple meal time prayers for Ben always goes like this:

"Thank you God, bless this food, Amen.".

Check out this video made of Ben showing how he prays when he was 13 months old.

(*Note: You can also click on either pictures below to view the video as well.)

I have had people telling me that we're brainwashing him into Christian beliefs by praying when he doesn't know what and why is it for.

Yes, maybe Ben is still too young to understand the concept and the need to pray and be thankful for things we are blessed with...

But I think exposing him to the idea of praying and giving thanks is a good start.

I find it good to spend a few moments to give thanks to God for the food we have on our table.

For being healthy and happy.

For being blessed with a good life.

What do you think?

Read: Luke 11:1-13 (NIV), Proverbs 15:8 (NIV), Matthew 21:22 (NIV)

P.s: Oh, and did I mentioned that on several occassions when we're in a hurry to eat, Ben actually looks at us and shows us his praying gestures?

That made us stop what we're doing and get down to praying and giving thanks immediately!

Smile

Comments (18) -

imalazymom.com

I love it! Totally agree with you.

Visiting from www.imalazymom.com

WeiYun

I think no matter what we do sometimes, as parents, others will always have comments, even though with good intentions. I experience it all the time and still do.  So I've learn to have faith in my decisions as a parent and trust them and just go with it.  Because when it comes to this kind of matters (religious) or other matters, it just depends on how you argue it - there's no right or wrong carved in stone.  Anyways, I think you're doing a great job Jenny Smile

Steph

I wish I had done this when my girls were younger. Things were so crazy that I kept saying I'll teach them later. But now that they're older, it's hard to teach them because they're so used to just diving into their food and don't understand why all of a sudden they're expected to wait.

Just as someone criticized you for "brainwashing" I'm sure there are people who criticize me for not teaching my girls to pray. As a mummy you can never satisfy everyone. You are doing what you believe is right for your child. Sigh...sorry to sound negative, but being a mother is so hard so I will never understand people's need to criticize when this is the time (having a very young child) is when a mother needs support the most!

Yes...you are doing a great job with Ben!

I'm a full-time mummy

Hi imalazymom!
Thanks for visiting and commenting! Have a nice day! Smile

Hey Wei Yun & Steph!
Yeah, come to think of it, true! Whatever we do, there will be people who say we are not doing the right thing, not doing it right, yada yada yada... Thank you guys for your support and encouragement!

Nensa Moon

You really a great mum jenny.
I think its better for us to teach our kids about someting religious as early as posible..even though they perhaps didnt clearly understand..
Thanks for the post!

Hope you and family have a wonderful wednesday.
hugs
nensa

I'm a full-time mummy

Hi Nensa!
Awwww... thank you for your kind words! You have a lovely Wednesday too! Smile

Catheryn  @ Pink Bibs

I like the part that Ben 'reminds' you to pray before eating Smile

Having kids does really pushes us to be at our best, do our best and do things right eh?

I'm a full-time mummy

Hey Catheryn,

Normally my MIL is the one who will be 'reminded' heheheheh.... Tong

Penny

I'm visiting from iFellowship and will plan on coming back!

If you have time, come visit me too at Living Above.

I hope you have a great Wednesday!

I'm a full-time mummy

Hi Penny!
Thanks for visiting & following. I'm off to return the favor now! You have a great Wednesday too! Smile

Kayla

who cares what others thing. you as a parent are suppose to guide your children down the path of Christianity. I dont believe in organized religion but i still pray. I think you doing everything great!

Monica

I think it is great that you are teaching him to pray and express gratitude and thankfulness at such an early age!

I'm a full-time mummy

Hi Kayla & Monica!
Thank you guys for your word of support and encouragement!

Dawn

I love that! My kids too, learned to pray before meals even before they could talk. Visiting from iFellowship today. Have a wonderful day!

Sharon Cohen

Speaking as a 50ish year old woman who was NOT taught to pray before meals - not taught to pray before sleeping - not taught to pray for inspiration - not taught to pray in thanksgiving and in pain and in joy and in grief and in distress, fear, discouragement, despair, etcetera, etcetera, etcetera.    Teach him.  Who else will teach him that he has an Advocate always and in all ways?  

Brainwashing! Hah.  Only the devil wants us to think that the teaching of Christian faith is brainwashing.  Some people never learned to hear the still small voice of the Holy Spirit and hear instead the monotonous droning of the "guy downstairs" and then repeat what they've heard.  I was once one of them.  It was a miracle that I ever heard the voice of God at all.

Okay.  I'll put my soapbox away now.

Hi!  I'm Sharon and I'm visiting from iFellowship.  The iFellowship Blog Hop brings such blessings, inspiration and encouragement.  It may take me all week to read all the posts but your post has proven why it is worth the effort.  I am pleased to become your newest follower.  

I'm a full-time mummy

Hello Dawn!
Thank for visiting and you have a wonderful day too!

Hi Sharon!
Thank you so much for your feedback! You are by far one of the longest commenter I get (NOT complaining at all, totally appreciate and enjoys it!) I like iFellowship too though I'm guilty for not checking it often enough! Frown Thank you again for your follow and hope to see you around here more! Have a blessed day!

traslochi intercontinentali

I’m currently blogging for a (poor) living for someone else… but I like it. You’ve inspired me to keep doing it, and look to doing it for myself soon.

I'm a full-time mummy

Hi traslochi intercontinentali,
Keep up the good job! And thanks for visiting!

Comments are closed