The last in the series on how to pray with baby: all day long, up all night, in fussy moments, and in peaceful moments: . . . Holding To pray: The Lord, your God, who goes before you, is the one who will fight for you, just as he acted with you before your very eyes in Egypt, as well as in the wilderness, where you saw how the Lord, your God, carried you, as one carries his own child, all along your journey until you arrived at this place. Deuteronomy 1:30-31 To practice: Notice your habits of holding your baby. Is your back arched? Are your shoulders slumped? Your wrists aching? Each time you pick up baby today, be mindful of the way you carry him or her. Make small adjustments to relieve the tension in your body. Pray to God for the strength to carry your child throughout their life, not only when they are small enough to carry, but as they grow into adulthood. Ask for the wisdom to know when and how to shift the way you hold your child, whether in your arms or in your … [Read more...] about how to pray with baby: in peaceful moments
newborn
how to pray with baby: up all night
Continuing with the practical side of spiritual practices with newborns, here is the 2nd in this series of simple ways to pray while caring for a baby: all day long, up all night, in fussy moments, and in peaceful moments. . . . Waking up at night To pray: I rise before dawn and cry for help; I put my hope in your words. My eyes are awake before each watch of the night, that I may meditate on your promise. Psalm 119: 147-148 To practice: Next time you are up with baby at 2:00 am (or 3:00 am, or 4:00 am – or all 3!), think of all those who are also awake at this late hour: employees working the third shift, tired parents tending to sick children, monks and nuns praying the hours. Pray in solidarity with those who work while others sleep. Pray in thanksgiving to God who is always present, watchful and waiting. . . . Rocking To pray: … I have calmed and quieted my soul, like a weaned child with its mother; my soul is like the weaned child that is with me. Psalm … [Read more...] about how to pray with baby: up all night
how to pray with baby: all day long
First: a confession. The series on spiritual practices with newborns? Turned out nothing the way I expected. What I thought would be a practical guide turned into my philosophical wanderings as I processed this summer. Great for me, maybe less for all you new parents who told me you were excited for the series. Thanks for reading along anyway! Second: an inspiration. All those practices I wrote (and rambled) about? Still wonderful ways to pray when you have a new baby in your life. For those of you drowning in diapers and midnight feedings, I've compiled a list of short Scripture verses and quick prayer practices that you can do while caring for baby. All day long. Up all night. For fussy moments. For peaceful moments. Starting today... . . . Feeding To pray: Then the righteous will answer him, “Lord, when was it that we saw you hungry and gave you food, or thirsty and gave you something to drink? And when was it that we saw you a stranger and welcomed you, or naked and gave … [Read more...] about how to pray with baby: all day long
spiritual practices with newborns: holding
Be still and know that I am God. Your hands have held things that terrified you. Your first set of car keys. A boy’s sweaty palm. The college admission letter. Cold cans of beer. A brand-new passport. All gripped by fingers that trembled, knowing the weight of what might come next, the thrill as well as the terror. God was there somewhere, in what you held. Be still and know that I am. Your hips have carried things that taught you. Armfuls of books down high school hallways, then grad school library stacks. Piles of file folders from one job, then another. A niece, then a nephew, then three more. All slung on one hip, shifted to the side as you walked, aware that what you now held was changing the way you moved, subtly but for good. God was there somewhere, in what you cradled. Be still and know. Your arms have embraced things that overwhelmed you. Sobbing friends after break-ups. Exhausted relatives after funerals. A brand-new family of in-laws. Your first child. Your second … [Read more...] about spiritual practices with newborns: holding
