James 5:16
“…The prayer of a righteous man has great power to prevail.”
Emma was only three years old and her parents were trying to teach her to pray. At dinner they ask her to give thanks. She bowed her head and prayed, “Thank you for Daddy and Papa Lonnie. Amen.” Her mother wanted her to pray longer than that and so she said, “Honey, you need to pray longer.” She prayed again. “Thank you for Daddy and Papa Lonnie. Amen.” Then she added, “It’s too long. Let’s eat.” Even if you’re not supposed to, sometimes you have to laugh.
Why would she say that? Because praying, for some, seems too long. Beside she is learning what we are supposed to do.
It should be different for people who are spiritually grown-up. Jesus prayed all night to the Father. Prayer was a regular part of the training of John the Baptist to his disciples. In 1 Kings 8, Solomon prayed for 32 verses. In Daniel 9 he prayed for 16 verses.
We chuckle when a three-year-old has a short prayer. We might even understand why. But as mature Christians, we ought to feel the need for longer prayers. If not long prayers in public, then in the quietness of our own bedrooms.
I’m Lonnie Davis, and these are thoughts worth thinking.
Prayer Suggestion: Father, draw our hearts toward You today, and teach us to trust You through faithful, persistent prayer.