Prayer Puzzle

[doc]

Christian Greetings folks,

When I was a little guy, my Mom (now 90 !),  taught me a little prayer that went like this:

Now I lay me down to sleep,
I pray The Lord, my soul to keep.

If I should die before I wake,
I pray the Lord my soul to take.

I recently came across an old Primer from 1813 called the "Tract Primer."

This prayer is in there, but there is one more verse !

Does anyone know what it is?  I was flabbergasted at the omission.

doc

[Pat]

I'm sorry Doc, I'm just seeing this.  Somehow I missed it before...

Doc, no I don't know what the verse is. 

[Nita]

I remember something about..."If I should live another day...."

That's all I remember.  Nita

[doc]

"And this I do for Jesus' sake."

I could barely believe my eyes.

From 1813 to 1945 - or there abouts - to abandon this last line of a child's prayer puzzled me.  My Mom had never heard it before either.  She taught it to me.

Did the common (war induced) mid century use of "The Lord's Name in vain" cause parents to avoid their children's utterance of a typical swear word?  Who, in their right mind, would leave it off?

Had Christianity been diluted to the point where it was unnecessary for us to point to Christ as the reason for any activity?

Nita - that phrase sounds vaguely familiar to me too.

I remain puzzled.

Ask around on other web sites folks - lets get some other opinions.

In Christ - whose Name I am not ashamed to utter,

doc
   

[rommelvon]

I remember my mom and grandmom telling me this prayer, we also learned it in sunday school, the other parts I remember are


Guard me, angels, through the night

Wake me in the morning light

[Pat]

I remember that too, Rommelvon

[doc]

Thx Pat and Rom,

Did your versions also contain the phrase "And this I do for Jesus' sake."   ??

Who else should we do anything for?    (- at first anyway)

doc

[JudyB]

I have just found what I think Doc was looking for. 

Now I lay me down to sleep;
I pray Thee, Lord, my soul to keep.
If I should die before I wake.
I pray Thee, Lord, my soul to take;
And this I ask for Jesus' sake.
Amen.

Now I raise me up from sleep,
I thank the Lord who did me keep,
All through the night; and to Him pray
That He may keep me through the day.
All which for Jesus' sake, I say.
Amen

[doc]

Christian Greetings to you Judy B,

That really rings a bell in my heart and gives me hope for this dying world.  This prayer should find it's way into the Christian homeschooling environment ASAP.  Thank you.  Let's not let it get watered down again.

It also fulfills the admonition of Paul in 1 Thessalonians for adults as well as children.

"Rejoice always, pray without ceasing, in everything give thanks ; for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus for you."          1 Thessalonians 5:16-18  NKJV

To pray upon rising will help a child to keep their eyes in Christ throughout the day.  It ain't a bad idea for old folks either !

AMEN ?

[SmokeytheDog]

Amen!

[JudyB]

Yes I homeschool my girls, and this is one I will be teaching them.

God Bless you both.
JudyB