Remember the Power of Prayer

What Happens When Children Pray

Written by Evelyn Christenson

Illustrated by Joy Dunn Keenan

                                                                                                   

Found at an unlikely place, the public library, this book is set up with very simple stories about children praying. Each page has related scripture. Prayers of praise, repentance, thanksgiving, and supplication are covered throughout the book teaching that prayer involves more than making requests of God. The book ends with a longer story presenting the gospel and reflecting on prayer as communication directly with God available to us because of Christ's death and resurrection. The setup of the book is easy and adaptable to use. It can be read straight through or taken page by page. I could see myself using the prayers in the book as examples that might springboard into brainstorming situations in our family needing prayer. To take it a step farther I would pursue discussion about what God thinks about the situations and how we can best pray, following up of course by putting prayer into action.

One thing that I really like about this book is the presentation of prayer in so many situations in life. Personally prayer is often a last resort. Instead of praying first I often resort to prayer after I have exhausted all of my other resources forgetting that He is the giver of everything. This is a great teaching tool not only for children but also a good reminder for adults that we need to come before God with everything. Nothing is too big or little to lay at our Father's feet.

Another aspect of the book that I greatly appreciated was the scripture used to referance the importance God, through the Bible, puts on prayer. These scriptures would be great to commit to memory with our children. We must remember to pray with expectant hearts for He hears us and  is able to do more than we can think or imagine.

"The prayer of a righteous man is powerful and effective."

James 5:16B



The Prayer of Jesus

Written by Hank Hanegraaff

Illustrated by Thomas Payne



The author has taken the Lord's Prayer from Matthew 6:9-14  and broken it into short phrases. Each page of the book features one of these phrases along with a brief rhyming application or explination of the quoted scripture. The application/explination and accompaning illustration brings the biblical text to life in a very practical way for young hearts. It addresses many daily encounters a young child may have like, mealtime, play time, and cleaning up. More importantly it speaks about the God honoring way to act, briefly touching on adoration, obedience, thankfulness, forgiveness, salvation, and prayer. Just as the Lord's Prayer is an example of how we should pray and live so this book does a good job teaching kids how they should live their lives seeking to honor the Lord and share His love.

 A short piece of the text:

                                     "Give us today our daily bread

                                     I know you'll give me what I need

                                     Plesae help me to put away my greed."

Often times we fall into the thinking that children can not understand or are unable to use self-control and therefore they are not held to biblical standards. Before children fully mature or are spiritually regenerated, we must teach them the truth.  Until Christ does a work in their heart it may/will be challenging, but if we do not teach, set an example and expectations how will they see and know of their need for a Savior and the sacrifice He has made for them? Once saved they are then fully capable of understanding and living in this way with guidance from God's word (like the rest of us).  It is then that we must expect them to live in truth and guide them as they continue to learn what it looks like to live for Christ.  As the book closes it nicely sums up these truths, "As you live in my heart, may I be more like you. Your love is forever, and your word is true." This statement is a good reminder to all that God's work is true! Are you living in the light of His word?

How does your family make prayer a priority?

Proverbs 22:6 "Train up a child in the way he should go; even when he is old he will not depart from it."

60th Annual National Day of Prayer

For those of you who don't know next Thursday, May 5th will be the 60th annual observance of the National Day of Prayer. As quoted on the website the mission is to "mobilize prayer in America and encourage personal repentance and righteousness in the culture". Generally this is a one day event focused on prayer in seven specific areas: Government, Military, Media, Business, Education, Church, and Family.

I can remember as a middle school student gathering around a five foot pine tree with a paper flag on top to join in prayer before school. As time progressed my small Christian school aquired its own flag pole and we were able to gather there. In college I walked across campus after going to bed just a few hours earlier to join in prayer with believers. But it was not the location or the flag and certainly not the time of day that made this event so meaningful and memorable. It was the prayer. Standing beside teachers, staff,  fellow students, and sometimes complete strangers praising our Lord and laying our requests before Him that made the time so special.

This year's theme verse is Psalm 91:2

                                      "I will say of the Lord He is my refugee and                                        fortress, my God, in whom I trust."

I encourage you to get involved. It can look very different depending on you circumstances but don't let Thursday pass like any other day. Be intentional to set time aside and pray, in your home, workplace, school, or at an organized public event. 

You can go to  http://nationaldayofprayer.org/ to find more information about the day or to find an event near you.

Next week I will be devoting my posts to the theme of prayer. I hope that you will stop back then and let me know how you are planning on participating. How does your family make prayer a priority? Do you have any interactive ways of teaching you children the importance of prayer? I would love to hear your ideas and/or questions!

Possible Easter Tradition in the Making: Resurrection Rolls

Resurrection Rolls

I have seen this recipe on several blogs and have decided to try them for myself! Since my daughter is a little young to be helping in the kitchen I may invite some friends over from chuch to help out!

Ingredients:

Crescent Rolls or Make your own favorite bread recipe

one package Marshmallows

3/4 t. Cinnamon

4 T.   Sugar

1/3 c. Melted Butter

1. Mix Cinnamon and sugar in a small bowl

2. Dip each marshmallow in butter and then in cinnamon/sugar mixture.

3. Next use one crescent roll per marshmallow and wrap the dough around the marshmallow pinching the seams together. (No part of the marshmallow should be showing).

4. If desired you can then roll the dough covered marshmallow into a ball to eliminate the seams.

5. Continue steps 2-4 until you have the number of rolls desired.

6. Place the rolls on a cookie sheet with a lip around the perimeter.

7. Spread additional butter on top of rolls and sprinkle with extra cinnamon and sugar if desired.

8. Bake at 350 degrees for abour 15-20 minutes or until golden brown.

The finished product doesn't just look and taste yummy it is a great way to teach about the Easter story!

As you make these rolls you can use them as a picture of Jesus burial. The marshmallow illustrates Jesus body. As you dip it in the cinnamon/sugar mixture you can discuss the oils and spices that were used to anoint Jesus body. The roll represents sealing the body in the tomb. After baking the roll the marshmallow "disappears" leaving behind an "empty tomb".

Let me know if you try this yourself. I would love to hear how you use it to teach your children to understand the Easter! I will update this post after I have tried these for myself! But for now I wanted to share it with you! Enjoy celebrating the sweet hope we have in a risen Savior!

The Story of Easter

The Story of Easter
Written by Patricia Pingry
Illustrated by Lorraine Wells

Appropriate for ages 2-5

This basic presentation of the Easter story provides an overview of why we celebrate Easter. Covering Palm Sunday, Good Friday, and Easter itself the book records that Jesus was put on the cross, but disappointingly leaves out the most important part. He was crucified for our sins. Without the blood of Christ we would have no hope. Speaking about Easter Sunday the book mentions the empty tomb and that Jesus had risen. It vaguely implies that His death was paying for our sins, by saying something like His death gives us life.

Overall the book was a bit choppy jumping from baby animals and spring to the story behind Easter and even covering why churches have crosses on their steeples. All of that in just 11 pages.
The last page, the most gospel centered of them, states, "He gave His life for us so that we can live too." How true and yet we so often we forget or choose not to remember the sacrifice He made to rescue us from our sins.

I hope that you take this Easter season to remember and treasure the sacrifice that was made so that you might have life!

Parables for the Youngest

The Proud Prayer
Written by Carine MacKenzie

Illustrated by: Michel DeBoer

Appropriate for ages 2-6

From the series Stores Jesus Told Carine Mackenzie and Michel DeBoer clearly show the contrast between a proud and humble heart. They use both the text and illustrations to make the parable comprehendible for very young children.

The text is based on the passage in Luke 18:9-14 where Jesus speaks to the people. It closely follows the biblical story simplifying it to provide background information and clarity for young readers or listener.
The short book ends with the big picture; those on earth that think highly of themselves will be humbled when they stand before Christ and those that see their need for Jesus will be exalted.

Each page includes a few sentences with a brightly colored illustration to accompany the text. Interaction is imbedding into each page as kids can search for the purple feather. The book's simplicity, and biblical focus illustrate for young children the point Jesus made as he addressed the hearts of the people. 

Good Samaritan

(My Very First Bible Stories)

Written by Lois Rock

Appropriate for ages 2-6

I love this series, My Very First Bible Stories. The board books are not only sturdy but accurate (one of the biggest things I look for when choosing literature). It is an illustrated version of the story that Jesus told in Luke 10:25-37 with a few word changes to convey the message to even the youngest. The colorful pictures add a great visual to the biblical account of the good Samaritan.

Aside from the biblical truths, my favorite part of the book is the "Special Words" (Glossary) page. This page highlights words that may need clarification or background information. A great literary element to introduce to young children. Another special feature is a rhyming prayer which takes the lesson Jesus is teaching and incorporates it into a concise and applicable prayer.

Both of these books present parables that Jesus told in understandable language without losing the biblical accuracy! They are two resources to teach children about God's concern for the heart rather than the outward actions. As I read both of these books they caused me to examine my own heart. I must daily humble my heart before the Lord or I will become just like the "Proud Prayer", the priest, and the Levite. I hope you have been able to enjoy God's grace today as you think on what truly matters, the heart.

Luke 18: 12b "everyone who exalts himself will be humbled, but the one who humbles himself will be exalted."

The Hiding Place: Free!!!

The Hiding Place

Written by Corrie Ten Boom and

John and Elisabeth Sherrill

Appropriate for ages: High school and up

Get your free audio copy of The Hiding Place.

Every month Christianaudio.com has a free download of the month. This month they are featuring The Hiding Place. I downloaded it to my MP3 player and am listening to in the car.

From what I understand you need to set up an account. (E-mail address, first and last name) Then go to the free download tab and put the item in your cart. (Make sure you put the download in your cart not the CD) From there check out and you will be able to download the book. (It is broken into 8 parts.) What a great free form of entertainment! remember you have until April 30 to download the book.
I can't wait to see what next month's free download will be!!