Why in the wide world are there SO many books, sermons & lessons written and delivered over how to pray!? We don't have books to teach people how to speak. There are books that teach correct grammar in school, there are books that are written to teach us new languages, (to some prayer seems like a new language...keep reading) but parents aren't flying to the book store to find out how to teach their new baby how to talk, it is simply understood that a child learns how to speak by listening to us speak. The more we talk to our children the more they learn and we don't HAVE to dumb it down for them (though we often do) they learn from us by listening to us. Even Jesus taught his disciples to pray by example more than instruction.
Parents, you teach your children to pray the same way you taught them to talk. You pray with them and around them, daily and often. Don't just pray at dinner or at their bed side when they are little and you're tucking them in at night. Pray over them when they are sick, pray with them for teachers, friends and the needs that they are very aware of already. Pray for them and with them when they have bad dreams or a bad day. Teach them by example that YOU trust God with all of these things and they can too. Teach them that speaking to God doesn't have to be scheduled or formal, it can be as simple as praising God out loud for a beautiful sunrise or bringing you home safe through traffic. They will pick it up and before you even realize time has gone by your teenager will be praying over you when you're sick and you will be absolutely in-awed with them and wonder to yourself; "where did he learn to do that?".
Those that have not been exposed to such examples are often overwhelmed by Church "Instructions" regarding prayer. "Your prayer needs to include A. B. and C". or some other cute little anagram. Honestly I think somehow in all our religiosity we accidentally plant fear and anxiety in peoples hearts over something that should be as natural as our everyday conversations with people. When we are first getting to know someone conversation can be rough, strained and uncomfortable, but once we begin to know that person better, words are easier; we begin to trust them with "real" thoughts and the deep things of our hearts. It is the same with God. Mr & Ms Long Time Church Goer, when someone asks you how to pray; encourage them to simply talk to God about whatever comes to mind and either take time to help them get to know God better or help them get connected to someone who will.
Beloved child of God, don't be afraid of prayer, it's not one of those things that you can do so terribly wrong that it isn't going to count or God is not going to listen to you. All God wants is for you to sit down next to him on the couch or across the table at Starbucks and talk. Ask Him questions, listen, and trust him with what is on your mind. Pick up your Bible and learn as much about Him as you possibly can, pester other people who know Him to tell you more about Him. Unfortunately He doesn't have a Facebook page where you can "creep on him" :-) but there are plenty of other ways to get to know him. It may start off awkwardly but it will get better, just keep at it! You will never be the same again!
Welcome!
- Kathy Unger Marshall
- Dallas, GA, United States
- As a wife, mother of three and a full-time employee Kathy is well acquainted with the struggles to maintain balance, a right attitude, contentment and health in the midst of chaos. All the hectic times in her life, including seven major moves and five minor ones have served to reinforce her dependence on the only anchor she has found to hold her steady through the years; Jesus. Kathy writes of her personal journeys through the pages of scriptures, deserts of dryness, showers of blessings, the darkness of depression and the bright days of joy. She speaks of all she has learned about herself and her God in these journeys with the hope that her experiences will serve to encourage other women, who are fighting these same battles to stand strong.
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