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There are many things we teach our children. From the first time we hold our newborn, we begin our important role as “teacher”. We teach them to trust the sound of our voice. We hope that hearing our voice will enable them to feel calm. We teach them to make eye contact. We teach them to listen, laugh, and love. As they grow we begin to teach them to walk, talk, have good manners, be obedient…but one of the most important things you can teach your child….is to pray.
When our little grandsons come for a spend the night visit it is an honor and privilege to listen to them and to help them begin having conversations with the Father. Sometimes they pray long…sometimes very short. The length is not important…the conversation is. Prayer is key to faith. We want them to have faith and believe in God. We want them to know that nothing in this life will ever be too great or too small to take to the Lord in prayer.
I remember last year taking Zackary home to catch the bus after a sleep over and visit with us. I was in a hurry and didn’t get a chance for prayer before we left. So, as I drove through town I asked him if I could pray for him. He said I could, and I laid my hand on his head as I drove. I asked the Lord to protect him, give him wisdom, help him to be obedient and kind and for a healing touch in his body (he was sick with a cold). I could feel Zackary watching me as I prayed and drove. I don’t think he had experienced the “praying driver” before. When I finished my prayer I squeezed his hand and said “Amen!” He looked me in the eye and with all seriousness said, “What did Jesus say?”
This caught me off guard for a brief second, but I quickly replied, “He said, Okay.” This satisified him completely. He needed to know that somehow I felt God speak to my heart. And I do.
I won’t say that I feel something from heaven everytime I pray. There have been times, especially recently that my prayers have seemed to hit the ceiling and bounce back. I have felt such a heavy heart, especially in the most recent days with Wanda beginning to retain fluids again. But I don’t give up. I do not stop praying. That would make the enemy the winner. And that’s not happening.
2 Corinthians 4:18 says, “While we look not at the things which are seen, but at the things which are not seen: for the things which are seen are temporal; but the things which are not seen are eternal.” We may not “see” prayers being answered today or tomorrow, but sister, I do not doubt for one single minute that they are being heard. So, I will not cease to pray. I will persevere. I will carry on for the cause of Christ.
I fix my eyes not on what I see, but rather on what I don’t see. For what I see is only temporary. It won’t last long. As mother quotes rather regularly, “this too shall pass”. So I fix my gaze on what is unseen. For it is eternal. You may think that is an unusual statement, to “gaze on the unseen”. It is not my “physical eyes” that need to see. It is my “spiritual eyes“. As long as my focus is clear spiritually, I can face what my physical eyes must see.
When the outward circumstances of our lives become literally unbearable and our human resources are completely exhausted….God’s resources can come in and expand our faith by whatever means He chooses. God will never forsake His beloved children. “I will never leave thee nor forsake thee.” Hebrews 13:5(b)
Teach them to pray. Teach them faith. Teach them hope, love, believing in and having full confidence in Christ. Teach them by example. It’s never to late to start.
Jeff & Angie 