If God is our Father, then we must be children. “Unless you are converted and become as children, you will never enter the kingdom of heaven, and whoever humbles himself, even as this child, is greatest in the kingdom” (Matt 18:3-4) Praying the Jesus-prayer means that we embrace the joyful dependence of a child. It means we reject any sense of self-sufficiency, every burden of self-reliance. The aspect of childlikeness that Jesus is affirming is humility, says John Piper. ” If my people will humble themselves and pray”. . .either you will be certain that you are adequate for the challenges of life, or you will be certain that He is adequate. When you pray, today, will you be a joyful, confident child?
Daily participation in the everyday prayer blog is now part of my 2011 life. Thank you for this joyful reminder that we are all children of a magnificent God! As my life unfolds, I am constantly reminded that He alone is adequate and the only solid rock on which I stand.
When our oldest was 26 months, her paternal great grandmother was called home. We decided to take our daughter to the funeral home so that she could see Granny Gregory without tubes and looking peaceful. As we walked out holding hands with that child in between us, she let go and said, “issa minute.” She ran back to the casket, stood on her tiptoes, looked up and hollered (hands around her mouth and all) “Bye-bye Gwanny, I’m gonna see you in hebben! I weally am!” That brought her Daddy and me to tears but upon reflection, we realized that, in that moment, God had provided a simple picture of child-like faith just for us. It seems so simple but adult reasoning tends to impede our progress toward existing as that “joyful, confident child” that feels so right.
So often we associate “being child-like” with being immature, giving up our rights, everything bad. The way you worded this, that giving up our dependence is a joyful act, really made me think differently about what God wants in His children. He wants children who run to Him to ask for guidance, to take away their fears, to give them peace, just like a children do with their parents. My prayer today is to start experiencing childhood again with my heavenly Father, to rely on Him to go to Him first for my needs, to let Him hold the reins and be in total control. That feels right.
I LIKE TO CHALLENGE ALL MEN & WOMEN & CHILDREN OF ALL AGES TO START THE EVERYDAY OF PRAYER. TO PRAY THE LORDS PRAYER EACH AND EVERYDAY FOR THE NEXT 365 DAYS AND SEE IF YOU DON’T NOTICE A DIFFRENCES IN YOUR LIFE, FOR I SURE HAVE.
As I contemplated God being my father, it brought to mind how much my 2 year old is constantly watching me as his parent. He is always imitating my actions, my words, wanting to do what I am doing, and always wants to be in the same room with me, desiring my company. What a sweet and clear reminder that was to me today that it pleases my Heavenly Father that I react and seek in the same way in my relationship with him.