Extraordinary Prayer

One of the on-going battles that I have with my 5 year old daughter is the fact that she just doesn't like to pray or at least doesn't like to be told when to pray.  I feel like most children are more obedient or more willing to humor their parents but Carissa won't even go through the motions.   Sometimes I'll ask her if she has prayed for her meal and she will reply, "Yes, in my mind."  Then I'll ask, "What did you pray for?", to which she will quickly answer, "You don't need to know, Dad."  What can I possibly say to this and so I have resigned myself to the fact that my daughter will pray when and if she wants. 

Amazingly, every once in a while I will catch Carissa in our walk-in closet (where my wife likes to pray) and I'll hear her little voice lifting up the needs of our family. Each time I find her praying in private, it really warms my heart and I can't help wonder if God feels the same way towards us every time He catches us praying in that secret place. Perhaps this is why He commands that the majority of our prayers should be in our rooms, behind shut doors, where we can reach out to Him from the depths of our hearts. I am quite aware that starting a new church takes a considerable investment of prayer but at the same time it can't be forced or come out of mere religious duty. True prayer comes when God stirs our passions to reach out for Him in a real and sincere manner. I hope that the bedrock of our endeavors to begin this ministry will be forged out of prayers that are authentic and genuine.

P.S  We will be having our first prayer meeting January 31 in San Mateo.  Please let me know if you would like to join us!

Our Future Prayer Warrior!