Daily Archives: August 25, 2009

A couple weeks ago Ellie told us how she had asked Jesus to live in her heart. She then excitedly proclaimed “And He did it! He really did it. I KNOW He did!”

My heart skipped and caught at the same time.

I’ve known too many people who have placed undue security in childhood conversions and family connections. Don’t get me wrong! We are to have child-like faith (which is another topic), and I firmly believe children CAN understand and accept Jesus as Lord (which is exactly this topic). But I’ve tempered my celebration. My hesitation comes from those who think they understand, but really don’t. Or worse: those who know all the right words and just want to fit in and/or please their parents.

I’ve shared before how Rick and I both said “The Prayer” when we were kids, but neither of us truly accepted Christ as Lord until much later. While some believe just saying the words is enough, I don’t. God sees our hearts; He knows our intents. Hell insurance, as many of my high school friends called it, simply doesn’t cut it. God doesn’t sell insurance. He provides hope, grace and salvation through sincere repentance. He wants a relationship, not an oral contract.

One last theological clarification: I don’t believe we can lose our salvation. Once saved, always saved. But I do believe that some who claim to be followers of Christ are actually missing the boat. I believe people can walk the walk and talk the talk without having a clue who God really is or why He is relevant to our lives. Unfortunately, Christianity has become a culture and an industry almost more than it is a religion. (Anybody read The Almost True Story of Ryan Fisher?)

Wow. That was a huge tangent, not at all what I had planned to post this morning.

Mama loves heartfelt prayers.

While I may be skeptical and hesitant to declare my daughter once and for all “saved,” I am absolutely thrilled to witness her changed prayers. They’re a great sign that what she claims is true and sincere.

We’ve never taught our kids rote prayers. Call it Catholic recovery or whatever you want. It’s just one way we’ve distinguished our family from liturgical cousins and neighbors. But kids love repetition! Both Zach and Ellie have found their own rhythms and ruts when talking to God. Ellie’s prayers used to be some version of this:

“Thank you, God, for this pray. (I’m not sure where that come from, but Zach says it too. It’s a mix between ‘prayer’ and ‘day,’ I think.) Thank you for Mommy and Daddy and Zach and Ellie and Mommy and Zach and Ellie. And thank you for this food we’re about to eat. Amen.”

Now her prayers are so much more authentic. They’re much more her, much more reflective of a relationship rather than a ritual. Here’s an example:

“God, I don’t really like it when we have to leave Cape Cod. I want to stay here always. But I guess it will be nice to go home, too, so thanks for our vacation and thanks for being with us when we go home. Amen.”

And her nighttime prayers are just as cool! She recounts her day. “We did this and then we did that and wasn’t that fun and thanks, God, for everything.” She honestly opens up her heart to Him, inviting Him into all her feelings, but with perfect trust in who He is, in all His sovereignty and glory, grace and truth. I love it!

It challenges me. How often do we, as adults, open our hearts to God? Do we share our disappointments? Our joys? Our hopes? Or do we give a rote list of wishes and thanks?

I want to invite God into my life on a daily basis. I want to walk with Him, not just send Him a prayerful email at the end of each day.