A peaceful reading of this page.
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"Let my prayer be set forth before thee as incense; and the lifting up of my hands as the evening sacrifice."
Psalm 141:2 · King James Bible
Why the evening
In the Bible morning prayer and evening prayer bracket every faithful day. The Church's oldest rhythm — from the desert Fathers to the Reformers to Christian homes today — has kept a small evening liturgy for the household. It marks the end of the day for God, and it sends the children to bed knowing they are loved.A ten-minute shape
1. Light a candle. The signal that this time is set apart.2. Confess the day. Two minutes. Each person names, in one line, one thing they are thankful for and one thing they are sorry for. "Thank you for _____. I'm sorry for _____." Even young children can do this.
3. Read a short passage. Three minutes. One psalm, or one story from the kids' Bible library, or one paragraph from the family reading plan.
4. Ask one question. Two minutes. "Where did we see God today?" or "What is one thing to carry into tomorrow?"
5. Pray together. Two minutes. Free prayer, then the Lord's Prayer together.
6. Blessing. One minute. The parent lays a hand on each child's head and blesses them. Then blow out the candle.
The old blessing
"The Lord bless thee, and keep thee: The Lord make his face shine upon thee, and be gracious unto thee: The Lord lift up his countenance upon thee, and give thee peace." — Numbers 6:24–26 (KJV). This is the priestly blessing given to Aaron to say over Israel. It is enough for every child, every night, for a lifetime.A simple evening prayer for younger children
"Thank you, God, for this day.Thank you for my mother and father.
Thank you for [name a friend].
Watch over our house tonight.
Amen."