Praying Girls

   "When we are in fear we can do nothing less than pray to God, but Our Lord has a right to expect that those who name His Name should have an understanding confidence in Him." (Oswald Chambers)

   Do I have confidence in my prayers, or are they just things that I think I ought to pray about and pray for?

   I thought about this some while our two grand daughters were here this week. Let me give a scenario that illustrates a point about prayer. Each time one of the girls prayed, one of their requests was to help them be kind to one another, which is a very worthwhile prayer and something that we all need. I do not believe they missed a prayer time without stating this need.

   As they day wore on, one of the girls would, as siblings do, say something that irritated the other, or one would lash out because of some supposed wrong that was committed against them. Words were said, sometimes tears would fall and each would be put out for a few minutes. Then someone would say "I'm sorry", and all would be well again, or at until something happened.

   Now I know that that is the way it is, especially between members of the same household. The great majority of the time, everyone was happily playing together and all was well.

   A lot of the time, I find myself praying something, something that I need to be praying about and asking help on, and then forgetting it completely while going through my day. Does my life show any confidence in the power of prayer? Do I expect anything from the exercise?

   Is there any correlation between my prayers for my day and the way I live? Do I even consider what I have prayed? When I do the things that I asked God for help in not doing, do I even notice and at least give an "I'm sorry" response.

   My girls are growing up and learning. They know how to pray and they do it regularly. I wish my prayer life was as good. I need not only to have a more consistent prayer time, but I need to remember during the day, those things that I asked God for help on, and let Him show me how to get my attitudes in tune with my prayer requests.

   Thanks, girls, for making me think about my prayers as I considered yours.