bedtime prayer

last night, after reading a cute little story about a bear whose mommy tucked him in all cozy in his bed and gave him warm milk and kisses, i told my kids that there are many children around the world tonight who do not have mommys and daddys to kiss them goodnight. so maybe we can be praying for them, that God would watch over them and provide mommys and daddys for them.

ella and mason i'm pretty sure are paying absolutely no attention to me whatsoever.

my sensitive middle child is staring at me with huge, intent eyes. he very seriously asks me, “is there still slaves in the world?” to which i replied that yes, there are. there are many people kept in horrible situations with no one to comfort them tonight. we can always be praying against injustice and for God to protect them.

then i asked Bennett to pray first.

“dear God, we think of all the people who are slaves.” (he’s praying very slow and deliberate and very, very serious) “and we think of the man who is making them be slaves. and Lord, we pray that you would send someone to shoot him.” (it took everything in me not to laugh out loud. mostly because he was near tears in his sincerity.) then he continued, “and Lord, we think of the orphans.” (long pause) “and we pray the same thing. amen.”

so, be warned, oppressors of the world. the prayer of a righteous man (and of a sincere 5 year old) availeth much.