Wednesday, February 20, 2013

Lessons we learn through teaching our children

Matthew 6:9-12

9 Pray then like this:
   "Our Father in heaven,
    hallowed be your name.
10 Your kingdom come,
    your will be done,
    on earth as it is in heaven.
11 Give us this day our daily bread,
12 and forgive us our debts,
     as we also have forgiven our debtors.
13 And lead us not into temptation,
    but deliver us from evil.

We are currently teaching our children the "Lords Prayer".  M&L are 3 years old but it's never too early to learn how to pray, and this prayer is the example that Jesus gave us.  What better prayer to help them learn?  We've been praying with them prior to now with several rhyming prayers and teaching them how to just talk with God in prayer while keeping the highest respect for God.  Being respectful can sometimes be tough for 3 year olds, but I think God understands and smiles sometimes at their childlike giggles.  
So far we have gotten them to repeat the prayer a few words at a time.  It's funny how you question your knowledge of the words when you break it down a few words at a time.  Also we pray the version that we learned in church service and not what we read in scripture.... I guess the Lord's Prayer we say in services is arranged to flow off the tongue a little smoother.  And it's also funny that it's the King James English we use....for Thine is the Kingdom.....just think I have a hard enough time just getting my "southern drawl" right!  

All this is written to say,  Pray "The Lord's Prayer" and do so intentionally and slowly, thinking about each thing you say.  I have been, I guess meditating would be closest to appropriate although not like that of eastern religions, on each line item in this prayer....most recently I got hung up on "Our Daily Bread".   The request for daily provisions and not lifetime provisions or extravagant means really put it to me, and add to it the small group study of "Under The Overpass" it's moving!

Have a great day today as you think about Him and His prayer.

Lee  

No comments: