Friday, January 16, 2009

Prayer Time & Children's Faith

This past week my Bible Study group started up again. This "semester" we are going to be studying "prayer". We watched a video of a message by Jim Cymbala and I've been thinking about it most of the week. Then last night Jonah's supper prayer was quite interesting....

Dear Jesus,
Thank you for this food. Please give us a baby sister. (pause) And God please (pause) say Hi to all the people there with you.

Amen

I'm not sure that's the whole thing word for word but it's pretty close to what he said. He has been praying for a baby sister for awhile so that's not a surprise but the "saying hi" part was! :-) After the prayer his response to us was, "Well, he IS God!" It seemed as though he was surprised by our surprise...as though it was a perfectly normal thing to pray for. I suppose if we really embrace that "prayer" is just conversation with God...it IS a normal thing in a way. I'm amazed yet again at the simple faith of a child...esp. mine.

Last night and today I can't help but think about the boy's mom, Stephanie, and all the other "people" we know and miss in heaven. My faith may be small and I'm not sure that I believe the occurences on earth are of great significance when we are in the presence of the Lord but I can't help whispering my own prayer of agreement. "Please say hi to everyone."

2 comments:

Steve and Mary said...

Elizabeth, that is a beautiful story. I am so glad I read this today.....I know you posted it Friday but I am just now getting around to reading things, it's been busy! What an amazing, seemingly simple, but touching prayer from Jonah. He has such a sweet spirit and loving heart. I love you guys! Have a great rest of the week!

Sharmin said...

That is the sweetest thing! Sometimes it just helps me so much to see the faith my youngest one (age 4) has, and it reminds me that I need to have the faith of a little child.