“Jesus said, ‘Let the little children come to me, and do not hinder them, for the kingdom of heaven belongs to such as these.'” Matthew 19:14 (NIV)
Recently, my granddaughter Heather hosted a baby shower for one of her dear friends. It was a wonderful gathering of young moms who came together to encourage their friend, shower her with sweet gifts, and show lots of love for the soon-to-arrive baby.
During the baby shower, a moment was set aside for prayer for the honoree and her baby. The women gathered in a circle around the room, each taking a turn to pray. The heartfelt blessings that were spoken became even more special when five-year-old Augustine suddenly offered a prayer for the mom-to-be. Heather told me that Augustine’s beautifully anointed prayer was soft, sweet, and confident, much like what we would imagine an angel’s voice to be. I can imagine it because Augustine has done the same at my house. Once, she prayed for all family members by name, asking for protection. Then she prayed for “all the boys and girls who just sleep around in Your peace.” While the wording was unusual, I know Jesus understood the heart of this precious child. There is no doubt that one of Augustine’s special gifts from God is compassion for others and a deep love for Jesus. If she is praying such prayers at five years of age, I can only imagine how her prayer life will grow over the years. These thoughts bring heavenly music to this great-grandmother’s heart.
When Heather told me about Augustine’s prayer, I said, “Can you imagine how Jesus was smiling when He heard her pray?” Heather replied, “Yes, and can you imagine how it thrills Him when we adults pray?” I doubt we often stop to think about that, but it is true. I do not believe our prayers of joy or sorrow will ever fall on deaf ears. There is a lifeline to Jesus through prayer twenty-four hours a day, and He wants to hear from us.
Today, I want my prayer life to resemble that of sweet Augustine. Despite the age gap between us, this precious girl has demonstrated the calmness and authenticity of prayer, illustrating how a heart that is full of love for Jesus can make prayers flow as peacefully as a calm sea.
The spiritual innocence and sincerity of a child serve as a valuable reminder to pray with our hearts overflowing with love and to steadfastly believe that God hears us and will answer according to His will for our lives.
Prayer: Dear God, the prayer of a child no doubt holds great merit with You. Thank You for sweet Augustine, who stood beside adults without fear or intimidation and brought her prayer of blessing for someone straight to Your throne. I pray that You will help me and all who read this come to You with the faith and heart of a little child, trusting that You will keep us in perfect peace as our minds are stayed on You. I pray this in Jesus’ name. Amen.
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