My children teach me so much about life, love, and faith. I sometimes feel as if I knew nothing before I had them. Recently, our four-year-old Ella, asked to pray before supper. We all bowed our heads, closed our eyes, and waited…nothing… waited a little longer... and still nothing. Like any good momma, I opened one eye to check things out. She was staring right at me which startled me of course. But then she spoke. So innocently she whispered, “Will you remember me the words? And say it gently?” First off, I melted. I love the age when they use the wrong words. Then I hugged her tight and “gently” helped her to pray.
I later thought about how her request reflects adult prayer life. How many times have we forgotten the words? Whether it is because we are new to praying, we are out of practice, or maybe our hearts are too broken to know what to say. This is where God intercedes. He knows our hearts. Romans 8:26 says: “Likewise, the Spirit helps us in our weakness, for we do not know what to pray for as we ought, but the Spirit himself intercedes for us with groanings too deep for words.”
And like Ella asking me to “remember [her] the words”, our Heavenly Father provides us with clear instructions on how to pray.
9 After this manner therefore pray ye: Our Father which art in heaven, Hallowed be thy name.
10 Thy kingdom come, Thy will be done on earth, as it is in heaven.
11 Give us this day our daily bread.
12 And forgive us our debts, as we forgive our debtors.
13 And lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil: For thine is the kingdom, and the power, and the glory, forever. Amen. (Matthew 6:9-13 KJV)
Today, I am praying that we all are able to connect to our Father through prayer. I also pray that you can see God’s presence in the simple things. These moments can impart wisdom on a much larger scale. Look for the simple.
-Carissa
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