104 – How did you pray when you were three?

I was at a church related conference not too long ago and you should have heard the discussions these folks were having. They were dancing theological circles around each other. 

I didn't even understand all the words they were using.

It was all in a spirit of brotherly love and respect for one another. And it was really inspiring to hear their deep conversations.

But it also made me realize that all their human intellectual brilliance was not the thing Jesus was necessarily looking for or requiring of his followers. 

Jesus expects us to be as little children. He says in Mark 10:15,  “Truly, I say to you, whoever does not receive the kingdom of God like a child shall not enter it.”  

We should pray less like adults, with all our knowledge, and pray more like a three year old.

In this week's episode I share a beautiful experience from when my oldest daughter was three. She had a terrible earache. I called a friend to help us pray for healing. What he said made all the difference. The earache just melted away.

Prayer is powerful.

Back to praying like a three year old.

A three year old can be an endless patter of needs, observations, silliness, thoughtful reflections, and spontaneous expressions of love. They are confident that you, as the parent, are always listening and interested in what they have to say. And to give them what they need.

Do you ever talk to God that way, asking for what you need however big or small, with the absolute assurance that He is listening to you at all times and ready to help you when needed?    

Go back to being three – or rather the mental attitude you had when you were three – and pray from that point of view. In your best three year old voice, just talk to God. Ask Him questions. Listen for the answers. Have a conversation.

 It doesn’t have to be complicated. It’s not supposed to be complicated. Jesus wants us to pray as little children. He wants us to see through the eyes of a child, and live with the innocence, purity, receptivity to good, and trust that kids have.

The prayer of receptivity that a three year old has, may

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James Early, the Jesus Mindset Coach, is a Bible teacher, speaker, and podcaster. His focus is on getting back to the original Christianity of Jesus by embracing the mindset of Christ in daily life.

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