Prayers for Children

I have been thinking about our children lately and how much we are blessed to have them.

Each night is has been my practise as I put the children to bed to say some prayers with them out loud and then they say their own prayers while I am with them.
I then trace a sign of the cross on each child's forehead and say "God Bless you and Protect you."

As an aside I have been for many years tracing a sign of the cross on each child's forehead as they leave our home or as I leave them at home. I think I remember reading of this custom in one of my Liturgical books perhaps Joanna Bogle, Mary Reed Newland or Father Francis Weiser. In any case it is a well established tradition in our home with the children reciprocating as well an to each other as they go to bed or away etc.

I then go to the next child or children's room.
The children then continue on with their own private prayers and bible reading.

I have done this with our children since our older boys were very little. I must admit at the moment I sometimes fall asleep, putting Arwen to bed before I say every one's prayers. I am hoping with Stephen home that wont happen as often.

Some of the things I pray for with the children is thanking God for our children and to protect them from evil and temptation. That they will grow in their faith and love and serve the Lord in whatever He guides them in.
That each child will be guided to the right man or woman that God has chosen for them (if that is his will for that child). That they will raise wholehearted children. That they will be guided in their vocations as well and that they will remain pure in thought word and deed.

These are just some of the nightly prayers I have prayed with them for their lives.

I am always interested in increasing my prayers for our children. Trying to listen to God's promptings for this in my life so I was very interested when I read the prayer below at Evolgia:

I think it says so beautifully what I feel~

Intercede with thy Son and God, O most Holy One, that an angel from heaven be sent to my children, just as to thee was sent a most mighty protector, the Archangel Gabriel; and vouchsafe me to cry to thee thus:

Raise my children to be earthly angels.
Raise my children to be heavenly men.
Raise my children to be thy servants.
Raise my children to cry out to thee: "Rejoice, O Full of Grace, the Lord is with thee!"
Raise my children (names), O Lady, to be made worthy of the Kingdom of Heaven and make them heirs of eternal blessings.

~Akathist to the Mother of God "Nurturer of Children," Ikos 1

Blessings,