Now I lay me down to sleep
I pray Thee, Lord, my soul to keep
If I should die before I wake,
I pray Thee, Lord, my soul to take.
Do your children recite that prayer at bedtime?
Should they recite a written prayer
or should they pray - as it was meant - simply talking to God
AND - do we want our kids saying "IF I SHOULD DIE..."
Remember that child bedtime prayer
Discussion in 'General Baptist Discussions' started by Salty, Nov 26, 2022.
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Interesting.
It's origin is believed to be based on Psalms 4:8, ". . . I will both lay me down in peace, and sleep: for thou, LORD, only makest me dwell in safety."
A longer version:
“Now I lay me down to sleep,
I pray thee, Lord, my soul to keep;
If I should die before I wake,
I pray thee, Lord, my soul to take.
If I should live for other days,
I pray thee, Lord, to guide my ways.
Amen.
My source link: The Beautiful Meaning and Story of “Now I Lay Me Down to Sleep” -
Personally I’ve had a few illnesses that less than 50 years ago might have killed me. Just last week my wife had emergency surgery for appendicitis; less than 100 years ago she would have died.
I’ve have had the opportunity to see the history of my ancestors going back many, many generations.
One observation I made was that they would name a child and then continue using that same name until it finally stuck (until a child survived long enough to make it their own).
Sometimes a single name would be used 4 or 5 times.
This went on for generations.
Antibiotics, medicines, surgeries and various treatments lengthen our lives.
Death is hidden away in hospitals and nursing homes.
We don’t see it with our own eyes or experience it up close and personally in the way they did in the past.
Do I want my kids saying “if I should die”?
No, but if truth be told, knowing death may be close by can bring a person into a close relationship with their Creator.
Rob -
Way I taught it to my kids. -
Marooncat79 Well-Known MemberSite Supporter
Should unregenerate children pray?