Worship in Pajamas: Bringing Faith into Everyday Routines

Little Seeds, Big Fruit Series — Blog 4

September 8, 2025

Becky Chocklette

Worship Seeds in the Soil of Everyday Life

Most parents think of worship as something that happens in a church building: hymns sung, hands lifted, prayers spoken. But what if worship was also found in pajamas at the breakfast table, in songs sung in the carpool line, or in whispered prayers at bedtime?

The truth is that worship is not confined to pews or Sunday mornings. Worship happens whenever we acknowledge God’s presence, thank Him for His goodness, and surrender our hearts to Him. These moments often come not in the extraordinary but in the ordinary.

When parents plant seeds of worship in everyday routines — mealtimes, car rides, bedtime rituals — they create a rhythm of life where God is honored not just once a week but in the everyday patterns of family life. These small, ordinary seeds have the potential to grow into extraordinary fruit.

Planting Worship in Ordinary Routines

1. Living in the Everyday Soil of Worship

Paul’s words in Colossians 3:17 (NIV) are a reminder that worship is not meant to be compartmentalized:

“And whatever you do, whether in word or deed, do it all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through him.”

This verse shifts our perspective from worship as an event to worship as a way of life. Folding laundry, packing lunches, driving to practice, eating together—all can become acts of worship when done with gratitude and intentionality.

Donald Whitney affirms that “God deserves to be worshiped daily in our homes by our families.”[1] He points us to the truth that worship belongs not only in formal practices, but also in the ordinary patterns of daily living.

Parents have the opportunity to turn ordinary soil into sacred ground. By treating everyday tasks as moments of connection with God, they teach children that He is Lord over every part of life.

[1] Donald S. Whitney, Family Worship (Wheaton, IL: Crossway, 2016), 51.

2. Practical Rhythms of Everyday Worship

Worship becomes most powerful when it is consistent and integrated into normal family rhythms. Here are some ways to cultivate these habits:

a) Mealtime Gratitude

Before meals, pause to thank God not just for the food but for His faithfulness. Rotate who prays so every family member has a chance to voice gratitude. For younger children, keep it short and joyful — a simple “Thank You, Jesus” prayer can plant deep seeds.

b) Car Ride Conversations

Car rides are natural opportunities for worship. Use the time to listen to worship music, pray for the day ahead, or talk about where your child saw God at work. Short blessings before school drop-off can set the tone for the day.

c) Bedtime Prayers

End each day by gathering for prayer before bed. Reflect on what went well, confess struggles, and thank God for His presence. For children, bedtime prayers create a sense of security and remind them they are in God’s care.

d) Morning Devotion or Blessing

Even five minutes in the morning can set the day apart. Read a short verse, speak a blessing over your children, or sing a simple song.

e) Household Chores as Worship

Turn tasks like folding laundry, sweeping floors, or washing dishes into moments of gratitude. Encourage children to say, “Thank You, God,” for clean clothes or a safe home as they work.

Justin Whitmel Earley writes that “we become our habits, and our children become us. If our habits are filled with worship, then worship will form their hearts.”[1]

These practices don’t have to be complicated. The goal is not performance but presence — inviting God into the small spaces of family life.

[1] Justin Whitmel Earley, Habits of the Household: Practicing the Story of God in Everyday Family Rhythms (Grand Rapids, MI: Zondervan, 2021), 24.

3. Modeling Worship with Authenticity

Children are quick to notice whether worship is genuine or forced. Authenticity matters more than eloquence.

• Be Honest: If you’re tired or struggling, let your kids see you still turn to God. Pray honestly instead of pretending everything is perfect.

• Be Joyful: Let children see that worship is a delight, not a duty. Sing loud, smile often, laugh freely.

• Be Consistent: Even when life feels chaotic, keep worship as a steady rhythm. Small acts, done faithfully, teach children that God is always worthy.

Worship modeled authentically helps children see that God is approachable, personal, and present in every circumstance.

4. Guarding Against the Weeds of Busyness and Distraction

Every gardener knows that weeds grow fast and choke out good plants. In family life, weeds look like endless schedules, buzzing phones, and constant distractions.

1 Thessalonians 5:16–18 provides a simple blueprint for pulling these weeds:

“Rejoice always, pray continually, give thanks in all circumstances; for this is God’s will for you in Christ Jesus.”

Busyness convinces us that worship requires more time, but true worship calls for deeper awareness of God in the time we already have.

Practical steps for guarding against weeds:

• Limit Devices During Worship Moments: Turn off phones during meals or bedtime prayers.

• Simplify Schedules: Choose rhythms that allow time for family connection and reflection.

• Presence Over Perfection: Worship is not about flawless moments but about noticing God in the ordinary.

By intentionally protecting moments of worship, parents ensure that the seeds they plant are not choked by distraction but nourished by focus.

Ordinary Seeds, Extraordinary Fruit

Parents often underestimate the power of small, ordinary acts of worship. A whispered prayer before bed, a song sung in the car, a word of gratitude over cereal — these are the seeds that grow into lifelong habits of faith.

Paul’s words in 1 Corinthians 10:31 (NIV) echo the same truth:

“So whether you eat or drink or whatever you do, do it all for the glory of God.”

Spiritual formation does not require grand gestures. It happens in the ordinary soil of everyday life. Parents who plant seeds of worship in pajamas, car rides, and kitchen tables will one day see extraordinary fruit—children who love God, trust His presence, and live lives that glorify Him.