Noah Prays

Earlier this year, we studied the Lord's Prayer at church. Each week the sermon covered another small section. We decided we would try to teach it to Noah in those broken down parts. No surprise, he took to it immediately and instead of repeating after us, he was saying it on his own. It has now become part of his bedtime routine. It is wonderful to hear him pray this way but it was especially meaningful at Abby's baptism when he was able to recite it along with the congregation. He was so excited that he knew it and it brought tears to our eyes to listen to his grown up prayer. Seeing how easily he took to the memorization, we decided we should also started working on Bible verses. The perfect opportunity presented itself one evening as I was saying for one millionth time that day, "Noah, we don't talk that way to our ________" (fill in the blank). I came running down to the computer and looked up Ephesians 4:29. Bible Gateway.com allows you to search a verse in a number of translations. I chose 'The Message' because I thought it would be easiest for him to understand. I printed it out on a note card and stuck it to the counter. We talked about the Bible and how God gave it to us as an instruction book on how we should live. We talked about the verse and told him we would repeat it at each meal until we remembered to use it every day. It took him about two days to memorize it. I had intended to do a new one each week but haven't moved on yet. Benjamin can do it also. I have to say there is something pretty sweet in hearing your children recite the Bible. Now if only I could get him to actually USE it! (In his defense, he has a couple of times said, "Oops! Nothing bad or dirty out of my mouth, right mom?" So I know it is there. He is just choosing not to use it all the time.) Up next? Psalm 133:1. "How wonderful, how beautiful, when brothers and sisters get along!" I am also considering painting it on their bedroom wall so that it is the last thing they see at night and the first thing they see in the morning.