tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-24491141.post4146099180279253836..comments2023-09-05T06:32:07.795-07:00Comments on Excavations: kids and prayerlisahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15470213767902782087noreply@blogger.comBlogger2125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-24491141.post-45952769335450859162009-06-21T08:42:41.412-07:002009-06-21T08:42:41.412-07:00I won't forget. ;)
I don't think there a...I won't forget. ;)<br /><br />I don't think there are any set rules for how people HAVE to pray. Certainly none that I could come up with. I know what Jesus said about it, and that's my only real starting point for my own prayer life. But until the kiddos know God better, I'm not sure that I should share that formula with them. I don't want them to think of prayer as a formula, like a recipe that when followed to the letter produces the desired results. It isn't like that.<br /><br />I just want them to know that they can speak from their heart all the time. I definitely don't want them to want to impress ME! or even to try to impress God. It isn't about impressing anyone with their words or their heart. I just want them to know that they CAN talk to Him about anything. I don't want prayer time to be a battle. I know Ben wants to rush through it at night because he is tired and just wants them in bed already. <br /><br />You're right though about me having great kids. I don't want to put any pressure on them. I don't get frustrated or act like what they offer isn't enough. Who am I to judge that?! I was just wondering how to show them the freedom that they could have. But I guess you're right that it may just take some more time and them seeing it modeled more.lisahttps://www.blogger.com/profile/15470213767902782087noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-24491141.post-28363560584391023472009-06-20T14:52:20.790-07:002009-06-20T14:52:20.790-07:00First: My child is 10 months old, just says "...First: My child is 10 months old, just says "dada" and "Sutton" (the dog's name). He said "Mama" for the first time today. So, it's easy to give advice about your kids since I don't have to live up to my advice until after you've forgotten it. <br /><br />I'd be careful coaching my kids too much on how they have to pray at this age. The fact that they spontaneously pray for others is huge... you don't want them to think they have to impress you with their prayers. <br /><br />As they get older and have a better grasp of what praying "from the heart" means, they'll pick a lot of that up as you model it. When you go first and model thoughtful prayers, they'll do what you do... even if it takes a year or two. <br /><br />You've got great kids who get excited about praying. That's worth a lot.Chris Freelandhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/02959685692971056289noreply@blogger.com