A lovely question, posed by a child in first class in a local National School. We had chatted a while and when I was leaving, I asked if there were any questions – I wasn’t expecting but was very pleased by this one – “Will you say a prayer with us?” Not for us, but “with” us – even that was special.
I prayed that they would have happy dreams and asked them how happy dreams might happen. They wondered and so did I. We are living in times when far too many are deprived of the chance to have happy dreams – their days are filled with warfare and violence, with uncertainty and unhappiness. I wondered about what leads to happy dreams. First and Second Class wondered with me, so I wasn’t alone!
Turning towards their teacher, I asked the children to imagine me coming into the classroom and saying something to upset the teacher – maybe criticise her or make fun of her. Then I asked them to roll the clock on to my bedtime. “How do you think I would feel when going to bed?” “Sad”, one of them told me, and when I asked why, they said, “Because you hurt the teacher’s feelings”. “Would I have sweet dreams, do you think?” The children were convinced I would not have sweet dreams and that I might not even sleep at all. They were right.
‘Now, come bedtime’, I asked them, ‘how would I feel?’ ‘Great’, they told me. ‘Would I have sweet dreams?’ and they had no doubt that I would”
Contrasting that, I asked them to imagine my coming into the room, saying hello to them all and then telling the children how lucky they were to have such a good and gentle teacher. If I told her she was doing amazing work and that we are all the better of it. “Now, come bedtime”, I asked them, “how would I feel?” “Great”, they told me. “Would I have sweet dreams?” and they had no doubt that I would.
Our prayer together was around that idea of living the day in such a way that we would have no regrets come nighttime. This is the stuff of the day that leads to a peaceful night. It is about doing our best not to offend, belittle or hurt others along the way. In truth, it is God’s way, and fully in sync with “Treat others as you would like them to treat you.” There is a prayer in the Redemptorist prayer book along those lines. I might not have it word perfect, but it goes something like this: “When nighttime comes, may I look back on this day with no bitterness or regret in my heart” …… not a bad prayer intention and one we might share as we journey through the day of life.
Misjudged
I have had those days that don’t end in sweet dreams, where a word felt wrong, a moment was misjudged, and damage was done. I do not like days like that. Thankfully, they are not too frequent, but I am glad when the day brings no such bother or concern.
So, the child’s question, “Will you say a prayer with us?” brings an answer. Even before the answer, it brings ease because you know that somewhere the child has learned the value of prayer and, even in his youth, knows that prayer is at its best when it is “with” others and when we are open to God’s will.
Wishing you a prayerful week and days lived in such a way that the nights are not troubled and that sweet dreams flow in abundance.
Let us pray “with” the countless millions who are denied the peace of the day and whose nights must surely be troubled.
“Deliver us from evil; grant us (them) peace in the day …..”
Another visit
A story of a priest visiting school, and he asked the children what prayers were said at home. In the absence of answers, he prompted: “Any morning prayer?” No response. “Evening Prayer or Night Prayer?” Again, no response. “Rosary?” Blank faces. “Grace before or after meals?” A little boy put up his hand. “Daddy says Grace after meals”. Pleased, the priest replied, “Ah, that’s wonderful to hear. God bless your daddy. And what prayer does he say?” The boy replied: “He stretches, pats his belly and says: ‘O Lord, I’m burstin’”!!
