Praying Like a Child

We are in the final stretch, less than a week now until Christmas.  The presents are all bought, or mostly, the stockings are hung ready to be filled, ingredients for cookies are waiting for little hands to help make them....

It truly is a magical, wonderful time of year.  Today my parents fly in and we will begin a fun and very busy week of chorus concerts, BYU's bowl game, and of course our Christmas Eve traditions.

Yesterday my family gathered for morning prayer before Eric had to leave for his early morning church meetings, we asked Ryder to say the prayer.

Ryder says his own nighttime prayers every day, he also takes his occasional turn at meal time prayers, but the morning prayer- well this must have felt like something new to him.

"I don't know what to say." he stated.

"Of course you do." we reassured him, not totally unfamiliar with this routine, as this is what he would once say before his bedtime prayers.

He began, "Dear Heavenly Father", then with a slight pause, "See I told you I didn't know what to say."

After we finished laughing, Eric prompted him on things he could first thank Heavenly Father for and then ask him for.  His prayer was short and simple and I couldn't help but picture Heavenly Father having a little laugh himself about Ryder's prayer.

Later that day in Sunday school we were discussing our intent in our actions and why we do things,  if we do things sincerely or for the praise of man, or without even really thinking at all.

"Are your prayers deliberate 100% of the time?" the teacher asked, "How about 75%, or 50% or even 25%?"

It made me stop and reflect, how often are my prayers sincere?

Do I rush through the meal prayers, knowing everyone is hungry and ready to eat?  Do I say the same things in my bedtime prayers not really stopping to reflect but just saying the same things I do most nights?

Do I know what to say?

It was a bit of a wakeup call, one I am sure I will need again and again as I try and navigate my way through life.  It is my goal to stop and really think and ponder before I begin to pray, what do I really need to pray for, what am I thankful for that day.

If you aren't a praying type, do you have a time that you mediate or contemplate life?  It is so easy to get caught up in the hustle of life and get into our routines and go through life on auto pilot.

It is those times when I stop and reflect, when I truly feel and know that I need my Maker's help that I feel most at home, most at peace, most like things will be okay if I just continue to take it One Day At a Time.