How A 7-Year-Old Taught Me About Prayer
Start writing a post
Lifestyle

How A 7-Year-Old Taught Me About Prayer

“Truly I tell you, unless you change and become like children, you will never enter the kingdom of heaven." Matthew 18:4

28
How A 7-Year-Old Taught Me About Prayer
tumblr

Earlier this week, I saw that my mom had posted a new photo on Facebook. It was a picture of a project that my little sister, who is 7 years old and a first grader, had worked on in school. Her teacher must have asked her class to write a “Lenten promise,” or something that they would add to their spiritual life during Lent (and hopefully beyond).

I was so moved when I read my little sister’s response.

She said, “My Lenten promise is to pray extra because I can talk to Jesus more often. I want to do this because he might have something to tell me.”

It took me a long time until I was able to understand prayer in this amazingly humble and deep way, yet my 7-year-old sister knew it without even being aware of how powerful her realization was.

So often, we look at prayer as a process of us talking to God and telling Him what we want or need. It’s true that this is a form of prayer, but praying can also be so much simpler. Prayer sometimes is most powerful when it involves us simply being silent, and allowing God to speak to us.

As many things as we think we have to tell Jesus, He has so much more to tell us. We don’t know how we are going to make it through tough times, we don’t know who is going to be with us throughout those tough times, and we don’t have any idea what the future holds. But, He does. He’s probably not going to tell us exactly what we want to know, but He will tell us what we need to hear. Often times, all we need to hear is a simple “I love you” or “I’m here with you.” We want to hear “Things will get better,” “Trust in Me,” or “I’ll help you through this.” He is telling us all of these things, and so much more, every day of our lives, but we often forget to listen.

Jesus knows the desires of our hearts and what will make us truly joyful and at peace, and He is longing to guide us along the way we should go. He has so much to tell us, so many good things and so many loving words. He wants us to have conversations with Him during our prayers, asking for His help, thanking Him, telling Him what we need or want, and listening to what He may want to tell us. Jesus often speaks very loudly, if only we have the courage to listen.

My little sister probably doesn’t even realize the wisdom of the words she wrote for her Lenten promise assignment yet, but the truth and power held in them are so important. As often as we turn to God and ask Him for His help, we must also allow ourselves to be still.

“Be still, and know that I am God.” Psalm 46:10

Report this Content
This article has not been reviewed by Odyssey HQ and solely reflects the ideas and opinions of the creator.
Student Life

Waitlisted for a College Class? Here's What to Do!

Dealing with the inevitable realities of college life.

41558
college students waiting in a long line in the hallway
StableDiffusion

Course registration at college can be a big hassle and is almost never talked about. Classes you want to take fill up before you get a chance to register. You might change your mind about a class you want to take and must struggle to find another class to fit in the same time period. You also have to make sure no classes clash by time. Like I said, it's a big hassle.

This semester, I was waitlisted for two classes. Most people in this situation, especially first years, freak out because they don't know what to do. Here is what you should do when this happens.

Keep Reading...Show less
a man and a woman sitting on the beach in front of the sunset

Whether you met your new love interest online, through mutual friends, or another way entirely, you'll definitely want to know what you're getting into. I mean, really, what's the point in entering a relationship with someone if you don't know whether or not you're compatible on a very basic level?

Consider these 21 questions to ask in the talking stage when getting to know that new guy or girl you just started talking to:

Keep Reading...Show less
Lifestyle

Challah vs. Easter Bread: A Delicious Dilemma

Is there really such a difference in Challah bread or Easter Bread?

26047
loaves of challah and easter bread stacked up aside each other, an abundance of food in baskets
StableDiffusion

Ever since I could remember, it was a treat to receive Easter Bread made by my grandmother. We would only have it once a year and the wait was excruciating. Now that my grandmother has gotten older, she has stopped baking a lot of her recipes that require a lot of hand usage--her traditional Italian baking means no machines. So for the past few years, I have missed enjoying my Easter Bread.

Keep Reading...Show less
Adulting

Unlocking Lake People's Secrets: 15 Must-Knows!

There's no other place you'd rather be in the summer.

951355
Group of joyful friends sitting in a boat
Haley Harvey

The people that spend their summers at the lake are a unique group of people.

Whether you grew up going to the lake, have only recently started going, or have only been once or twice, you know it takes a certain kind of person to be a lake person. To the long-time lake people, the lake holds a special place in your heart, no matter how dirty the water may look.

Keep Reading...Show less
Student Life

Top 10 Reasons My School Rocks!

Why I Chose a Small School Over a Big University.

134979
man in black long sleeve shirt and black pants walking on white concrete pathway

I was asked so many times why I wanted to go to a small school when a big university is so much better. Don't get me wrong, I'm sure a big university is great but I absolutely love going to a small school. I know that I miss out on big sporting events and having people actually know where it is. I can't even count how many times I've been asked where it is and I know they won't know so I just say "somewhere in the middle of Wisconsin." But, I get to know most people at my school and I know my professors very well. Not to mention, being able to walk to the other side of campus in 5 minutes at a casual walking pace. I am so happy I made the decision to go to school where I did. I love my school and these are just a few reasons why.

Keep Reading...Show less

Subscribe to Our Newsletter

Facebook Comments