Teach us to Pray

Jesus said that we must become like little children and perhaps nothing puts us in that role more than the simple act of prayer. Prayer is childlike in its approach to the father. Paul encourages us to pray in all circumstances at all times (1 Thessalonians 5:17) and yet the very nature of prayer makes approaching the throne room of God something more than just usual. Like children, who take for granted that their parents are always looking out for them and are ever present in their lives, we approach God without pageantry or procedure. And, like children who are quite aware of their need for their parent’s provision and direction, we also see our prayers in the context of a dependant speaking of his or her need.

And yet, prayer is also a kind of place we enter, it is more than merely speaking out-loud. We gather for prayer, we go to a quiet place or a private place for prayer, we may even journey to a place of majesty or of fond memories for a special time of prayer. Although we may have spontaneous prayer, we also have a more disciplined time of prayer that, by its very nature, declares that we are very different from the God we pray to and somewhat removed from him. Like a child who plans a conversation with a parent and approaches the parent with respect, we too come before God with great reverence.

A 4 year-old boy was asked to lead the family prayer over Christmas dinner,

He began his prayer, thanking God for all his friends, naming them one by one. Then he thanked God for Mommy, Daddy, brother, sister, Grandma, Grandpa, and all his aunts and uncles. Then he began to thank God for the food. He gave thanks for the turkey, the dressing, the fruit salad, the cranberry sauce, the pies, the cakes, even the Cool Whip. Then he paused, and everyone waited--and waited. After a long silence, the young fellow looked up at his mother and asked, “‘If I thank God for the broccoli, won't he know that I'm lying?’ *

A child recognizes both the accessibility of God and the holiness of his time with God. God is a friend, but he is also sacred; he is comforting and awe inspiring. We can learn something from observing children the prayers of children.

Dear God, please take care of my daddy and my mommy and my sister and my brother and my doggy and me. Oh, please take care of yourself, God. If anything happens to you, we're gonna be in a big mess.*

Don Morrison

*(from Letters to God, weblog, http://my-prayer-for-you-today.blogspot.com/2009/01/childrens-prayers.html).

The Word of God

When I think of the Word of God I almost always go to the scripture in Hebrews that says, “the word of God is living and active. Sharper than any double-edged sword, it penetrates, even to dividing soul and spirit, joint and marrow; it judges the thoughts and attitudes of the heart.” (Hebrews 4:12) That passage teaches us several important ways the Word of God affects us.

The word of God is alive. We may read it in ink on paper, but it is much more than that. The word doesn’t change, but it applies to every situation we can endure or imagine. The same passage may come to mean something new regarding our present circumstances. When we are looking for direction in our lives, “seek first the kingdom of God” may mean something valuable to us as an encouragement, but when we are backslidden, it may mean something entirely different. Then when we wonder what we might say to someone to encourage their Christian walk, “seek first…” may give new meaning in old words. Yes, and the word also lives because it changes things. From the very beginning we see the creative power of the word. God spoke and it came to be. The word of God is just as creative today: “seek first the kingdom…” may not be a command as much as it is a promise, for God gives us everything we need to accomplish whatever he has asked.

Often, we may find great comfort in God’s word as we see his interaction with humanity, but Hebrews also reveals another side of the word – it cuts. If we always only find comfort in the word, we are not letting it do all that God has purposed in giving it to us. He wants us to be shaped and convicted by the words that describe his righteousness.

Finally the word has something to do with judgment. And I am both thankful and frightened by the realization that the word searches my private thoughts and even my attitude about things. When the preacher encourages us to have an attitude of gratitude, with God, that translates to faith. My mind is nowhere near to perfection, my attitudes are often at war with my own desires and goals, but God knows me. He has walked with me when I am weak and when I have had the strength to help others. His word teaches me new things about myself in all those circumstances. When the word judges the thoughts and attitudes of my heart, it finds more work for the holy Spirit in transformation and for the blood of Jesus in forgiveness.