Learning about prayer from a 3 yr old

I must start with this passage from Scripture... Luke 11 (Pasted from Biblegateway.com)

¹One day Jesus was praying in a certain place. When he finished, one of his disciples said to him, "Lord, teach us to pray, just as John taught his disciples."

²He said to them, "When you pray, say:
" 'Father,
hallowed be your name,
your kingdom come.
³Give us each day our daily bread.
⁴Forgive us our sins,
for we also forgive everyone who sins against us.
And lead us not into temptation.' "

⁵Then he said to them, "Suppose one of you has a friend, and he goes to him at midnight and says, 'Friend, lend me three loaves of bread, ⁶because a friend of mine on a journey has come to me, and I have nothing to set before him.'

⁷"Then the one inside answers, 'Don't bother me. The door is already locked, and my children are with me in bed. I can't get up and give you anything.' ⁸I tell you, though he will not get up and give him the bread because he is his friend, yet because of the man's boldness he will get up and give him as much as he needs.

⁹"So I say to you: Ask and it will be given to you; seek and you will find; knock and the door will be opened to you. ¹⁰For everyone who asks receives; he who seeks finds; and to him who knocks, the door will be opened.

¹¹"Which of you fathers, if your son asks for a fish, will give him a snake instead? ¹²Or if he asks for an egg, will give him a scorpion? ¹³If you then, though you are evil, know how to give good gifts to your children, how much more will your Father in heaven give the Holy Spirit to those who ask him!"

You may be wondering how this relates at ALL to my 3 yr old. Well, he is the most persistent little man! (Spending ANY time with him affirms this truth.) Josh will ask a question, then while you're deciding how to answer, he'll ask three or four more times. Should you be, for example, writing an email or talking on the phone, he may ask five to eight more times before you can REMIND him that he may not receive an immediate answer- ESPECIALLY if he badgers. But, this habit of his always reminds me of the Truth taught here in Luke 11 especially in verse 8.

⁸I tell you, though he will not get up and give him the bread because he is his friend, yet because of the man's boldness he will get up and give him as much as he needs.

How often do you think that Joshua gets what he needs? More than he ought. Not because "he is a friend"- but because of his boldness. May we each continue with perseverance before the throne of grace- believing that our boldness before our loving God will be heard, and in His time, answered.

Jacob replied, "I will not let you go unless you bless me." ~ Genesis 32:26

Talking with God

Hi friends :)

A few days ago, as I was praying by writing in my prayer journal, I had a conversation with the Lord that I felt He wanted me to share with you. I have hesitated in doing that for a few days- I've never shared from it before, except with my husband- but I know He wants me to share it. So... here goes! I hope you are blessed- imagine it's a conversation between YOU and Him!

March 3rd, 2009
Me: What's on your heart this morning?
the Lord: YOU are.
Me: I am? Why am I on Your heart this morning with all the people who need you? (I name several people I am regularly praying for)
the Lord: There is enough of Me to have them all AND you on on my heart. Just a reminder from Psalm 139
"I made all the delicate, inner parts of your body and knit you together in your mother's womb."
Me: "Thank you for making me so wonderfully complex! Your workmanship is MARVELOUS and how well I know it!"
the Lord: "I watched you as you were being formed in utter seclusion, as you were woven together in the dark of the womb. I saw you before you were born. Ever day of your life was recorded in my book. Every moment was laid out before a single day had passed!"
Me: "How precious are Your thoughts about me, O God!"

When I woke up this morning- you were still with me! (v. 18b)

v. 23 Search me O God, and know my heart; test me and know my thoughts. Point out what in me offends You; and lead me along the path of everlasting life.

Then I read Romans 4:5 and down to 5:17 and 6:11-12 all in New Living Translation. (If you've never tried it- do! It's not a study Bible- but a wonderfully conversational Bible- it brings things to light in a brand new way if you've always read another translation!)

The reason I believe I was to share all of this--- just to say that YOU are on God's heart- EVERY DAY!!! Sometimes I get to thinking that God is most interested in the people I know with serious struggles. He wanted to remind me on March 3rd- and I believe wants to remind You- not to put Him in a box. He is plenty big for all those we pray for AND US! YOU are on His heart- don't forget it!

My discipleship group is going to read My Heart- Christ's Home by Robert Boyd Munger. It's a tiny little booklet. If you've never read it- I highly recommend it. A wonderful illustration of Ephesians 3:16-17

NIV- ¹⁶I pray that out of his glorious riches he may strengthen you with power through his Spirit in your inner being, ¹⁷so that Christ may dwell in your hearts through faith.

NLT-17 I pray that Christ will be more and more at home in your hearts as you trust in him.

I pray that with Paul for each of you reading and for myself- may He be more and more at home in our hearts! Have a great night,
~Katherine