Yesterday, I was experiencing some back pain. It felt like every time I moved a certain way my back muscles would tighten like when you have a crick in your neck. My kids saw me grimace and groan throughout the day in response to the pain. That night after the kids were in bed, my 4 year old asked me, “Mommy, can you pray for your back?” I told her that was a great idea, and I asked her if she wanted to pray for me. Before she could answer, my 2 year old said, “Yes!” I had him repeat the words of a prayer after me. Then, I thanked my 4 year old for suggesting we pray, and thanked my 2 year old for praying.
Part of me thought, “why didn’t I think of that.” It took my young children to remind me to pray. But, I shouldn’t be surprised. God often uses our children to turn us toward Himself. When the religious leaders angrily complained to Jesus that the children were in the temple crying out his praises, Jesus responded:
Yes; have you never read, “Out of the mouth of infants and nursing babies you have prepared praise?”
Matthew 21:16 (ESV)
It made my heart feel full of joy to see my youngest children’s hearts moved to pray. I can only imagine that God’s heart is also moved when His children come to Him in prayer. He is ready and willing to give us good gifts. Jesus explains to us how we should approach prayer and how God responds.
Ask, and it will be given to you; seek, and you will find; knock, and it will be opened to you. For everyone who asks receives, and the one who seeks finds, and to the one who knocks it will be opened. Or which one of you, if his son asks him for bread, will give him a stone? Or if he asks for a fish, will give him a serpent? If you then, who are evil, know how to give good gifts to your children, how much more will your Father who is in heaven give good things to those who ask him!
Matthew 7:7-11 (ESV)
Simply put, just ask. God is a good Father, who gives good things. My back is still a little sore, but it’s definitely better. But, what if nothing changed, or my pain got worse after praying? Does that mean God is not good? Does that mean he does not give good gifts? No. God knows what we need to lead us to the best gift of all: Jesus. Sometimes it is through suffering that we come to know the depth of the sacrifice of our Savior, Jesus, and come to the know the height of the love of our Father, God. Jesus is what we really want, and He is the good gift we receive when we ask.
Father, I thank you for using my children to remind me to come to you in prayer. Help me to come to you as a child in need, knowing that you are the perfect Father. Most of all, thank you for giving me Jesus.