When an 8-year-old boy asked a police officer if he could pray for him, no one expected what would happen next. This touching moment shows how a small act of kindness can make a big difference.
It was just a regular Tuesday afternoon. I was walking home from the grocery store with my 8-year-old son, Ben. He was happily skipping next to me, chatting away as I carried our bags.
As we passed a police car, we saw an officer standing outside talking to someone. Ben tugged on my sleeve and whispered, “Mom, can I ask him something?” I assumed he was curious about the police car or the officer’s badge, so I nodded.
To my surprise, Ben walked right up and said, in his small but steady voice, “Excuse me, sir… can I pray for you?”
The officer looked surprised. I froze—half proud, half unsure of what would happen next. The officer glanced at me briefly, asking with his eyes if it was okay. I nodded.
Then, that grown man got down on one knee.
Ben placed a hand on the officer’s shoulder and said softly, “I just want to pray that you stay safe… and don’t have to hurt anyone today. And that when you go home, you still remember you’re a good person.”
That moment took my breath away. We had never really talked much about police or the news, but Ben had seen something recently that clearly stuck with him.
The officer’s eyes filled with tears. He stood up, gently thanked Ben, and walked away. As we continued home, Ben looked up and asked, “Did I do the right thing, Mama?”
I couldn’t speak at first. But in my heart, I knew the answer was yes.
That night, as I tucked Ben into bed, I asked, “Why did you want to pray for him?”
He answered simply, “I just thought he might need someone to care. People forget that police officers can be scared too.”
His words humbled me. My son saw what many adults often overlook—underneath the uniform is a person with emotions, stress, and fear. And sometimes, what they need most is a kind gesture.
A few days later, while grocery shopping again, someone tapped my shoulder. I turned around and saw the same officer. He smiled warmly and said, “I just wanted to thank you. Your son’s prayer… it really meant something. I had a rough day, and it helped more than you know.”
Ben smiled shyly, and the officer gave him a small wave before walking off. That quick exchange stayed with me. It was a powerful reminder: even the smallest acts can have a big impact.
When our neighborhood block party came around, Ben ran off to play, and I found a chair to relax. That same officer—now off duty and holding a casserole—came over and joined us.
He introduced himself as Officer Reyes and opened up. “That day your son prayed for me… it was my partner’s first day back after an injury. We had a close call the night before. It felt like maybe that prayer was a bit of protection for both of us.”
Ben returned from playing, covered in chalk dust. Officer Reyes leaned down and gave him a high five. “Thanks again, little man. You reminded me to stay kind.”
As the sun set and we walked home, I asked Ben, “What do you think now? Was it the right thing?”
He shrugged and said, “I think maybe I helped someone feel better.”
And he did.
Ben reminded me that kindness is simple. A prayer. A word. A moment. It doesn’t take much to touch a life—and maybe even change it.
