Prayers from a tired Daddy...

As I was praying with my daughter I had a thought.  How often do I simply pray, "Lord, please bless _______'s sleep.  In Jesus name, amen."  How often do I pray about things that really matter, in the hearing of my children?
  There are a lot of excuses I use when praying with the kids, "I'm tired."  "They don't need to hear me pray a long prayer..."  "I'm tired."  "If I get it done quick, then the kids can just go to sleep."  And at various times, these excuses are valid.
  But the question I ask myself is, "What am I modelling for my children?"  If the only time they see me pray is at dinner or before bed, what kind of example am I setting?  And when I pray, why not pray with them about things that are relevant to their lives, and Biblical?
  The reason we should be praying is because of our love for the One we are praying to:  our Father God.  I understand that God is different from our earthly fathers, but let's just think about something for a moment.  In "real life" if I just talked to my dad 2 times a day, and all I said was "Thanks for the food, and help me to sleep."  How strong would our relationship be?  And imagine if I never listened to him when he tried to tell me something.  I never listened when he told me he loved me; or I ignored his warnings to avoid trouble...and then I taught my children to be the same way (of course not on purpose, but by default.).
  How is the best way for me to model a loving prayer life to my children?   I know the answer, but it means work.    LOVE God.  Just like every relationship that's worth anything didn't just happen overnight, there is a daily struggle to spend time with Him, talk to Him, read His own letter to me(you know, THE BIBLE).  It seems to me the best way to model prayer, and model love for God is to actually love him and let the kids see it.  They will be able to tell by my life, and my love for God should overflow into my prayers.  It's easy to talk with someone you love, and it's not awkward.
  I hope yumob will pray for me in this regard.  Pray that I will be a faithful son who truly loves God, and searches for time to spend with Him--and that I teach my children to do the same.

"...But the LORD directs his steps."

As I walk through life, I find myself asking questions.  And then thinking of scenarios.  For example, "What if there was a pool full of Jell-o and I was allowed to swim in it?"  My kids and I ask each other "Would you rather..." questions.  For example, "Would you rather eat chicken, or pizza?"  Or, "Would you rather skydive, or cliff dive?"  Then the kids get in on the action...  Cam cracks me up with, "Dad! Would you rather jump off a cliff of Jell-o into eyeballs, or jump off of water into water?"(Yes, he has seriously said that.)
  We think of a lot of scenarios in our lives.  We think about the "what-ifs" that we can't control but we think about what we'd do if we could.  "If I had a million dollars..."(I could buy bananas in Australia! lol)
  I was thinking the other day about the sovereignty of God.  He has a plan for our lives, even when we don't know what's going to happen tomorrow.  "For I know the plans I have for you..."  I imagine God up in heaven saying, "Now, little does he know it, but you'll like the part that comes next...."  Or, "Look at what happens next!"
   God has a plan for our lives.  I'm thankful we can trust him with our futures, no matter what may happen.  I've had so many plans and scenarios in my life, and God has used some of those scenarios while leaving others undone(or perhaps yet to happen?)...  I take comfort in knowing that my God is in control of everything.  Nothing surprises him, and in his infinite wisdom, he uses everything to shape us into the men/women He had planned.  No matter what the circumstances are, He will complete the work He began in us.

 "The mind of man plans his way,
But the Lord directs his steps.