Pray like Harlee

“Don't be anxious about anything, but in every situation, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God.”  Philippians 4:6 NIV

“Jesus answered, “I am the way and the truth and the life.  No one comes to the Father except through me.”  John 14:6 NIV

My daughter and granddaughter have taught me that I could take a few pointers from them with regard to my prayer life.  Aly has always had a pretty candid approach to praying.  When she was pregnant with Harlee I remember her telling me that she was talking to God about how physically hard it is to be pregnant.  I remember her words, “I told God, this is unacceptable.”  She felt more people would have more children if pregnancy was not so hard on your body.  I think God has a sense of humor.  

Aly told me once that while saying their prayers before bed Harlee was repeating things Aly had said, like “help Gram feel better”, “help me be brave at pre-school”, simple things but the early stages of teaching her to pray.  At one point Aly said, “Help me be nice to brother”.  I guess Harlee looked up sort of peaking out of one eye at her mom and asked, “we got to pray about that?”  I’m not sure Harlee was ready to align with God’s plan on that topic.

Just yesterday we had some family over for Easter and it was beautiful outside.  Both Harlee and Oliver would rather be outside regardless of the weather.  Rain, cold, heat or wind, at times Ollie will stand by the door and cry unless you let him out. 

As we walked, Harlee said she did not want any more cold days – only warm ones.  I said, Harlee we can both pray for that.  I kept walking but looked down and she was no longer at my side.  When I looked back, I saw that she had dropped to her knees and had squeezed her little hands together and confidently asked Jesus for no more cold days, completely convinced that it was a done deal.  Childlike faith is beautiful.

Aly was no different.  Before Korbin was conceived Aly made a Mother’s Day craft at school.  At that time we had two kids, Jordyn and Aly.  However, Aly included a third flower to represent three kids.  When asked about it she informed us that she had been talking to God about a baby brother or sister.  We were not even trying to have a third child, but she had absolutely zero doubt.  When we were surprised to find out we were indeed expecting our third child she just looked up and said, “What if it’s twins?”  We were a little nervous that she might have been right.   

No one has an exclusive prayer hotline to reach Jesus.  But in fact, we all have our own all-inclusive path to reach Him.  Sometimes I do feel like a child in faith, amazed that I am granted an audience with the Savior.  Other times it is harder for me to stay on task. 

It amazes me that He listens to me.  It also amazes me that He speaks to me.  Obviously, most of the “talking” is me.  But He listens.  I have only felt like I heard an audible voice once, but I feel Him communicate.  He is not limited in any way when it comes to Him speaking to me.  I wish I did not allow the events of any day to limit me listening to Him.  At times that can be a small voice inside my head.  At times it can be a friend bringing up a topic that I have been worried about.  At times, it can be a four-year-old named Harlee, showing me how easy it is to drop to my knees and pour out my heart to Jesus.    

Not all prayers end up being resolved.  Do you struggle when you do not see or hear any clear direction or resolution?

How do you respond when the answer you hear turns out to be different than what you wanted. 

Challenge:  The issues we face as adults may seem more challenging than those of a child.  However, our path to align ourselves with Him is most often limited by me, not Him.  My faith can make it as simple as praying like Harlee.