Yes, it’s true. My 4 year old taught me how to pray. This 30 year old mama has been taking prayer lessons, learning from the best available.

What has my Tiny Daughter taught me about prayer? Let me share:

1. She has taught me that it is much better to drop what you are doing and actually pray with someone than it is to utter an awkward mumble, “I’ll be praying for you” or some other cliched phrase. It’s pretty easy to type a quick “Praying!” on someone’s Facebook wall, whisper a plea for God to help the person, and then go on our merry way.

Tiny Daughter has taught me how to drop what I am doing and pray with and for someone. Right now. All I have to do is mention that “I’m not feeling well this morning” and she has dropped her toys (literally) and exclaimed dramatically, “Mom, I will pray for you! Dear God, please help Mommy and give her ‘stwenf.’ {strength} In Jesus’ name, Amen.”

Does it get any more precious than that?!  She does this often for her family members and friends, and very naturally.

Learning to pray out loud for someone in the moment of their need is an exercise in which we all could use some toning. I know that in the past year I have tried to put this into practice as a fairly new part of my life. Is there room to grow? Oh, yes. I have a long way to go before this is as natural as breathing, but someone please tell me why praying aloud for others shouldn’t be as natural as breathing?

2. She has taught me that God answers prayer. You’re probably thinking, What?! You didn’t know that? 🙂 Well, of course I did. But how often do we find ourselves praying for someone without our heart being involved, and really not caring or thinking about the answer.

Seriously. Do we or do we not believe that God answers prayer?! How many times have our children shown greater faith than we have? {Hand raised over here}

Tiny Daughter has been dealing with a physical problem that gives her frustration, which in turn gives the family frustration as we try to help her. One day she was dealing with her issue, and I came to help. She shut the door, requesting “piracy.” {privacy} I decided to step back and just see what would happen. After what felt like a long time, she emerged with a big smile. “Mommy, I prayed for God to help me, and He did!”  A frustrated moment turned to joy because of answered prayer.

Similar moments are experienced with Small Son. I love it when he comes to me after the fact to tell me about what God did for him, “Mom, I couldn’t find my {insert favourite toy here} and so I decided to pray and God helped me find it.” Or, “I asked God to help me do good on my math test today and I think He did.”

A moment of wonder is shared together- the wonder of answered prayer.

Of course our answers as adults aren’t always that easy (from the human standpoint), but do we not have a powerful God Who can work and has worked miracles on our behalf?!

3. She has taught me that sharing answers to prayer with others actually encourages them (and yourself) to pray more. I love hearing about answers to prayer. And I love sharing them. My children share their answers often with me. I share some with them, but I could do better. They don’t need to know all the details  to get the point that Mom saw God do something in her life.

Tonight as I tucked Tiny Daughter into her bed, I whispered to her, “Dolly, guess what? Remember when you prayed for Mommy this morning? Well, God answered your prayer! He gave me ‘stwengf.'” She. just. beamed.

Too often we keep our requests and our answers to ourselves. Have you realized what can happen when you share God’s workings in your life? I’m not talking about gossip, and I’m not talking about sharing every detail about your life. I’m talking about being open about your needs for prayer, and then being open about the answers when they come, to the people who have been praying for you.

I hear some saying “I don’t have anyone I trust that much.”  It’s sadly true- completely trustworthy people are few. But how about starting at home- with your spouse, and with your children? You’ll be amazed at how it brings you closer together when you share spiritual fellowship.

4. She has taught me to be committed in prayer.

Tiny Daughter speaks again with a lesson, completely unprompted: “Mom, you will ALWAYS {insert very dynamic facial expressions} have me praying for you! You’ll always have me beside you asking God to help you.” She often asks me randomly, “Mommy, do you need me to pray for you?”

Wow. Talk about committed. She’s possibly my #1 prayer warrior (besides my husband) right now. And she lives it. Simple, girlie prayers. Prayers that I get to watch God hear and answer. I am so blessed!

She teaches me…I teach her. God teaches us both.

This is what my 4 year old has taught me about prayer.

There’s a special treasure box in my heart marked “prayer lessons.”