Praying like a child

Have you noticed how often Jesus tells people in his kingdom to be like children?

Until recently, I’ve thought that he was only talking about how we are unable to earn our salvation in any way.

But as I’ve read Paul E. Miller’s book, ‘A Praying Life’, I’ve now seen that the childlikeness Jesus refers to should also include the way that we approach him in prayer.

We are tempted to think that we need to present prayers to him that are all ‘grown up’, with everything neat and tidy.

Yet, when a child speaks to a parent, they just speak the first thing that comes into their mind, and they don’t really worry about having a polished presentation.

What’s more, a child is happy to ask over and over again for what they want, showing little restraint with their requests, almost to the point of rudeness.

These child-like behaviours would normally be discouraged in mature, grownups, and yet this is exactly the kind of way that God wants us to approach him in prayer.

So, if you’re feeling distant from God and finding it difficult to pray, then just start talking to God with the first thing that comes into your mind.

It may not be eloquent, and it might end up sounding a bit repetitive and insistent, but that’s exactly the way that kids talk to mum and dad… and the way that Jesus wants us to talk to our Father.

This should come as a great relief if you’re finding it hard to know where to start in your prayers.

You just need to start talking to God like a child talks to his parent, and humbly bring your requests to him.

And we can know with confidence that he will hear us and answer us as is best for us… what a relief!

JODIE McNEILL