Give Us This Day Our Daily Pie...

I don’t remember exactly what age I was when I started praying in an intentional manner, but I do remember I was still in grade school.  Growing up in a Christian home, prayer was definitely something my parents modeled for me; but, initially, it seemed to be about memorizing words and doing things in a particular manner while trying really hard to keep my eyes closed and resist the temptation to look around to see who else had their eyes open.  (I often gave in to the temptation of looking around.  Sorry, Mom.)  I’m not quite sure how or why I decided to just flip it all around and talk to God about whatever was on my mind in whatever way I felt like it, but that’s what I did…and have been doing ever since.

And it’s something I want to teach our kiddo, regardless of if or how he chooses to use it when he becomes an adult.  I want him to know that it’s okay to ask God for help, to share his joys and sorrows, to intercede on behalf of family and friends who are ill or hurting, to find his own voice and, hopefully, make a connection with a power greater than he is.  So we actively pray in our home; usually, every night before dinner and again at bedtime (and other times, too, depending on what is happening) to give him the chance to hear our different styles and voices and allow him to connect with his own.

A few years before kiddo was born, I belonged to a Women’s Circle at church, and we had a conversation about teaching children to pray.  As always, it was a lively discussion with lots of pros and cons, questions about how to guide kids without directing them, and sharing strategies that worked.  I remember in particular one person who talked about “Praying A.C.T.S.:  Adoration, Confession, Thanksgiving and Supplication (Intercession)” but for children, the words had been simplified to “Wow!, Oops!, Thank You! and Gimme!”  I loved that idea, and tucked it away for future use.

A few years ago, I talked to kiddo about the types of prayer (using the words for kids) and gave some examples of things that might fit into each category to get him started.  He chose the order of Thank You, Wow, Oops! And Gimme (with an additional blessing every night for friends and family) and I put it into our regular bedtime routine.  Now, he asks for the time to pray and usually wants me to participate with him.

As I listen and share in his prayers, I’m reminded of the things that are important to each of us because of who we are in the moment we connect that way.  Some nights, he’s light-hearted and sing-songy as he prays; other times, he’s more quiet and focused.  I always love hearing the words he chooses to share and, at times, am in awe of the depth and wisdom of what is in his heart at just over seven years of age.

Tonight, as we finished his prayers, kiddo asked if we could pray for his stuffed animal “friends” before going to bed.  I told him we could always pray for our friends and asked him what he wanted to say.  He began, “Dear God…Thank you for our warm bed tonight, and that we get to sleep with (Kiddo).  Please give us some pie…” and we both burst out laughing.

“Pie?” I asked.
“Yes, pie,” he replied, “They’re hungry!”

I’m sure God got a giggle out of it, too.