Skip to main content

From the Heart


I don't hesitate to ask the children I serve to pray with me concerning struggles common to us all.  Things like overcoming fear, being courageous, passing a test, or learning a new skill. It's good practice and they get to hear their leader pray out loud for them. But, now and again I change it up. I flip the script and make a random request for one of them to come upfront to pray for their fellow groupmates. There use to be dead silence, so to ease them into praying aloud we moved to praying with a partner to praying with a larger group.

Now,  it's not a strange thing to get a willing volunteer who, with quiet confidence takes us into the father's presence as they speak to Him about the things shared in group-things important to them. Just last night a seven year old shared in tears the fear that something he watched on tv would happen to him. Without prompting the outpouring of offers to pray for and with him, affirmations and scripture verses flowed from the mouth of babes. They gathered around him and did just that. I'm sure the angels in heaven were in awe.

 You know when you hear names called, situations mentioned, biblical characters or stories and scripture referenced that there's sincerity and expectancy in the prayer offered. The unhurried nor rushed to conclusion prayer is the ultimate loving plea to the Father who on the other end is listening.

Is this not the evidence of spiritual fruit parents and leaders such as yourself long to see and hear? You can't help but wonder, "When did prayer become for this child as natural as taking the next breath?" What exchange took place?

I conclude: "It's marvelous that God works in mysterious ways but its even more so that He does and He does it in children too!"

Comments

Popular posts from this blog

The Egg, The Bunny, and The Cross

Look back over the Easter weekend and the days leading up to it and recall whether or not you  entertained questions from the inquisitive child who wanted to know the how and the why of everything pertaining to the celebration.  Whether it was your own child or one you serve in ministry, the Egg, the Bunny and the Cross are points of curiosity.  You like many others may already know the historical origins of each or at least have a general idea.  I believe there are still quite a few of us who perhaps raised a quizzical brow as questions came up.  Here's a brief explanation of each.  So next time before a question is asked, you can be prepared to ask them questions yourself.  It's a great teachable moment.    Why is the EGG? the BUNNY? the CROSS celebrated at Easter? All three are said to represent new life, and all three are celebrated during the arrival of spring or as we call it the Easter season. In truth they are not related at all. The egg and the bunny are known to

A Child's Perspective

Back in the day when Easter rolled around on the calendar my sisters and I found ourselves shopping for Easter dresses, patent leather shoes, gloves and those lace top socks we would wear on Easter Sunday morning. It was exciting times. I remember too the chatter in the kitchen mingled with the rattling of pots and pans as we helped Momma prepare the Easter Sunday meal for our family and friends. Sunday was coming and everything had to be ready! The next morning we would wake up very early and make our way to Sunrise Service. We would try to sit still and listen to the sermon without falling asleep in hopes we would get a nap before dinner.  Our day was not complete until we had the after dinner gathering and we children were called upon to share with everyone either what we learned in Sunday School, recite again the speeches we memorized and yes, to even sing one of the old familiar hymns "He Arose", "The Old Rugged Cross", or "Were You There?". Ov

Little people, big Ideals!

A few days ago a friend of mine shared how he was pleasantly surprised to discover his seven year old son face-timing his grandparents and deeply engaged in promoting the support of a missionary with whom his son is acquainted. Even though I was not there I know Dad beamed with pride when he saw first hand the fruit of his labor and relationship with his son. I could still hear the delight in his voice as he shared the story with me. And if that were not enough his son later asked if he could extend his support effort at school.  You gotta love 'em! When a child adopts a cause they are not silent and they expect results. Where does this caring, concern and generosity come from? It's nothing new. Children watch and imitate parents and significant others in their lives.  As leaders and parents we are modeling whether we want to be doing so or not. When children see us being supportive of others, generous with out time and money they follow suit with a passion that is their o