Dear Tabernacle Family,
Let’s address an aspect of generational faith: praying and reading scripture with your children/spouse/family in your home. I had lunch with a group of school children this past week who had no clue what prayer was and how to pray. I remembered a line from a musical from years past: “God is good. God is great. Put some pizza on my plate.” It broke the ice and served as a springboard to a different prayer. We agreed to pray, “God is great. God is good. Bless the hands who made our food. Amen.” I believe it was the first time several of them had actually talked to God. And Carla, our cook, certainly deserved to be blessed in her service.
This encounter brought me to a different place. In your home, how comfortable are you praying in front of or with your family members? Do you know how to pray? But most importantly, do you know how to be genuine in praying to God in front your family? Kids and youth are smart and can snuff out the show-off in a brief millisecond. So, keep it simple and sincere.
1. God is worthy. When we pray, we need to remember God is worth the praise. God, You are Holy. God, You are Worthy. You are Kind. You deserve our praise.
2. God loves to hear from us. Conversations with God need to be an affirmation of faith and a genuine discussion of what we want to say to Him.
3. God wants to talk to us. David meditated. He WAITED on God. Practice waiting in prayer to hear what God would say. But please keep it short. God can speak in a full 15 second pause that is palatable to young hearts praying.
4. Ask your kids, spouse, family, “What do you think God was saying to you?”
5. And lastly, BLESS your kids/spouse/family. A blessing is a prayer, a portion of scripture or words of encouragement or guidance.
Here is a blessing to use this week with a child, spouse, friend. Say: Now I know the Lord protects (insert name). He answers (his/her) prayers with His mighty power (paraphrase of Psalm 20:6).
The blessing: May you remember that God is with you always and protects you, even in the things you cannot see.
May God richly bless you.
Pastor Sharon Baldwin Preschool Ministries/Southwestern Day Care Director