Preparing to Pray as a Family
Be still. Find a comfortable spot. Listen to Mommy and Daddy. Go to your heart room.
QUIET : quiet your hearts and minds to hear God’s Word
LIGHT: light a candle by Mary or Jesus to show they are here with us
SETTLE: settle into a comfortable place
LOVE: Love God and let Him love you
and when the children are struggling to prepare for prayer, we can use these terms to remind them of the ways to do so. And it may go without saying for most parents, but for some who don’t think of it, it may be beneficial just to suggest that children are more engaged when they have a role to play, so adding in to ask the children to “do the readings (even though it may take longer), light the candle (age/developmental appropriateness considered), blow out the candle, place the statue in the prayer place, hold the book, pass out the rosaries, choose a song at the end, etc…