Created to Worship: Children

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 mout...

I love talking and listening with the children I serve on Sundays and Wednesday nights.  I  can ask questions, share my own stories, ask for more insight and even receive instructions.  Typically it only takes one to verbalize what's on their mind, or what made their day special to prime the flow of conversation. It's in the context of this exchange that I find the substance for making my prayers relevant to them. Just yesterday, as we gathered for discipleship. I asked the question "What adjectives would you use to best describe God's character?"  There's was no hesitation at all.  "All powerful", "faithful", "strong", "provider", "friend", "holy", "healer" and on and on the words flowed until we heard this tiny voice say, "He's my "inspiration inside."  I paused and asked if she would tell us more.  For her God is that inspirational voice that encourages her to s...

I am always awe struck in worship when I see without prompting a child with head bowed, hands lifted, eyes shut, or hear them singing at the top of their lungs. It seems evidient by their expressions in that moment that they have made a genuine connection with the divine, they are passionate about it and they are fully engaged. It's a beautiful sight to see. As a children's worker there's no greater joy than to take stock of  the spiritiual development and the expression of it on a regular basis in the children we lead. I believe the same holds true of spiritual parents and caregivers. We want to know that our children walk in faith. So, we look and listen for these small shifts in expression and behavior. Personally I take time to have intentional talks in between worship. I ask questions and encourage them. Don't be surprised if like me you find yourself examining your own practices. Next time you are in worship look around. Check your reaction, see if you don...