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There is
such a thing as childlike faith. While we as adults may sometimes
struggle to develop such a faith in God, children do not face such
difficulty. There is an innocent ability in children to accept
anything good as true.
This does
not mean that adults have no opportunity or responsibility to encourage
children in their faith and prayers. The opposite is true.
We have both the privilege and the responsibility to properly instruct
and guide our children (and grandchildren) in the true faith and in how
to effectively practice and express that faith.
Many
children are taught simple prayers to recite, the idea being that they
are not old enough to grasp real prayer. We don't want them to
make mistakes. My personal belief is that we often fail to
understand both the power of an innocent heart and the willingness of
God to reveal Himself to children. Jesus once rebuked His own
disciples for making the same mistake.
"Permit
the children to come to me," Jesus said. In other words, why place
walls of ritual between young children and the living God? Allow
them to meet the Lord in sincerity and truth. Guide them in proper
prayer, in sincere and meaningful prayer. Instruct young children
in the truth about God's love and power. Let them learn early how
to pray and how God works to answer prayer.
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