I am having BIG issues with Quinn and saying prayers at night. He just does not want to do it and thinks it's such a chore and a big joke. He won't say them and makes us say them for him.
How do I encourage prayer and make him more involved?

I think as long as you are displaying and showing him that is a great place to start - do you make him say actual prayers? because you could always encourage talking to God like he would have a conversation with you or his Dad as we start this way and then they feel like they are sharing instead of reciting

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We do our main praying in the morning when we drive to school. I will ask the kids for a volunteer to be the "prayer leader" who will go first, and then we go around the car and everybody else has a turn to pray. Often when we get to Caroline (our middle daughter) she will refuse to participate. I then usually tell her "it's Ok-- you don't have to pray out loud-- God doesn't mind if you pray in your head", and we pass her and go on to someone else. I am hoping that even though she is not praying like we'd like her to she is still learning a good daily prayer example , and is encouraged to communicate with God in ways that are comfortable to her, and she realizes that NOT praying is not an option. And usually by the next day, she will be out of her funk and want to pray out loud again.

Maybe you could encourage smaller prayers/praises during the day that seem more "fun" (draw a picture of something you're thankful for, learn a new song about Jesus, buy some beads and string together his own rosary, etc.) -- rather than a lengthy on your knees session at the end of the day??
Maybe at nighttime, you and DH can do the praying for/with him and not force him to unless he wants to. Maybe once the pressure is off, he will want to spontaneously participate like mom & dad do.

Let us know if anything works-- I am always looking for new tips to help encourage prayer in my kids! (and me too, for that matter!

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Karen



Mommy to:

Emma Katherine 12-31-98
Caroline Grace 7-11-00
John Francis 12-28-02
Sarah Margaret 11-23-04
Mary Clare 3-8-07
and Henry Hartman!! 10-03-08

oh I forgot one prayer that I do try and pray with the kiddles before bed is "Now I Lay Me Down To Sleep"

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At night the prayer we use is:

May two angels guard my bed,
One at the foot, the other at the head.
Amen.
In the name of the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit.

My sons LOVE to say this prayer - in fact, when they get upset they'll even say it in the middle of the day. It melts my heart.

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"A new baby is like the beginning of all things--wonder, hope, a dream of possibilities." (Eda J. Le Shan)

DD loves to say her prayers (usually). There are times that she refuses and I say "Ok. But we should thank God for a great day. Would you like Mommy to say the prayers for you?" Usually that will get her and she yells "NO!" Then she'll do it. Oh, the cutest thing is that she likes to do the sign of the cross, "Fadder, Son, Holy Spirlit, Amen."

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~Brigette

Host of Holiday Fun, Party and Event Planning and Crafter's Nook on Sheknows. Co-Host of Scrapbooking,
Buy, Sell, Swap and Share and the Catholic Board on Sheknows.

I wasn't raised to say prayers at night... We said prayers at meals and my mom taught us to talk to God throughout the day.

I know in our household, that the kids are often too tired to be forced to do something...so we say our prayers at meal time. We don't use a formal prayer. We do thank God for our food, but we also pray for our blessings through the day and for different friends and family. Anyone at the table can add their prayers. We also sometimes pray in the morning. It's a great way to start the day on a positive note.

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