My family does our bedtime prayer almost every night.

One night recently,  as my wife, my son and I lay on our bed, I suggested, “Let’s pray this way tonight – I’ll pray for Jadon, Jadon prays for Mama, and Mama prays for Papa.” “

“No, I want to pray for you”, my son said. (There are certain things where he prefers me, and others where he prefers the mother)

So I said, “Fine, so you’ll pray for me, I pray for Mama, and Mama prays for you.”

“No. I’ll pray for you and you’ll pray for me,” clearly indicating his preference for me this time.

“What about Mama?” I asked.(Mama had been silent all this time, probably wondering if all the effort spent in cooking healthy, nutritious yet yummy food for him was worth the while)

And my son replied, “Erm…we need one more person then.”

There was only three of us in the family.

My wife and I usually pray with our son before he goes to bed. It was a habit we started when he was about 3 years old. (He is now 4 going on 5)

Those days, we simply prayed while he lie on his bed and closed his eyes. As he grew older, he started praying in bits and pieces on his own. He also requested that we pray for this issue and that.   One funny request I recall was to pray that he won’t grow up! (Of course footywife and I never said “AMEN” to that!)

Of late, we just need to start the prayer off with, “Dear Lord…”, and he would continue the rest of the prayers from there.

Few nights ago at bedtime, as per routine, I said, “Let’s pray.”

Guess what? He said matter-of-factly, “No need. I told GOD GOD {sic} last night that whatever I have prayed before, He would remember and I do not need to ever pray them again.”

Now I have dealt with “Blanket Approvals” in the corporate world before, but this is my first spiritual enlightenment about BLANKET PRAYERS!