PRAYER – Be Careful What You Say

Posted On June 23, 2020

A wife invited some people to dinner. At the table, she turned to their six-year-old daughter and said, “Would you like to say the blessing?” “I wouldn’t know what to say,” the girl replied. “Just say what you hear Mommy say,” the wife answered. The daughter bowed her head and said, “Lord, why on earth did I invite all these people to dinner?”

Can’t you just imagine that scenario? When I typed it just now, it reminded me of an incident from my childhood. My family always started every meal with a blessing, as did most of their friends. My father usually said it but I was taught a few memorized prayers as a child.

One evening we were having dinner at my parents’ friend’s house–Chip and Doris. When we got ready to eat, Chip asked me to say the blessing. I was about 8 years old and was taken totally by surprise. I had never prayed at someone elses house. I literally could not think of anything to say. With heads bowed, it seemed like we all waited in silence for several minutes. It probably was closer to 30 seconds. I knew these people really well but I got so nervous and tongue tied that my head just slumped down and down toward my lap with no words coming out of my mouth. Thankfully, my father finally started praying. After the amen, no one said anything about me being silent. To remember it still today shows how terribly embarrassed I was by the whole thing.

I learned from this experience never to surprise anyone, young or old, by asking them to say the blessing publicly without first asking them privately unless I know for sure it won’t bother them.

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After I married, I was the one that usually said the blessing before our meals. But, we did teach our children to say a blessing. I never pray a rote prayer instead saying whatever comes to my mind. I taught the kids to pray the same way. They would usually thank God for the food and for each one of us by name. Sometimes they’d add the cat or a dog or a friend. One night Lori’s prayer went something like this,

“Dear God, thank you for our food and for Mom and Dad and Amy. Also thank you for the mice.”

I am a very calm person who rarely shows much emotion or fear until it comes to mice. I detest them in any form – alive, dead, as a “cute” figurine or stuffed toy (except Mickey because he doesn’t really look like a mouse). If I see one, I usually jump and scream. When Lori prayed that, I about choked! At that time, we were experiencing several mice running in our basement walls and basement ceiling. I even cringe and shudder now, 30+ years later, remembering them.

After that prayer, I became a little more intentional in teaching my kids what to say when praying! I know God made mice and that we are to be thankful in all situations. However, I personally draw the line at being thankful for mice!

Did you teach your children to pray before meals? Please share any funny or sweet children’s prayers you remember.