Begin with ‘Thank You, Jesus’

A child’s approach to prayer is a wonderful model to follow.

Child praying: Thinkstock

Thanks be unto God for His unspeakable gift.—2 Corinthians 9:15

Our daughter’s earliest prayers were simple “thank you” prayers, and she fell into the habit of beginning every prayer with the words “Thank You, Jesus.”

By the time she was five, her prayers were more complex, including petitions for herself and others. But she still insisted on the same formula, with the result that her prayers sounded rather awkward: “Thank You, Jesus, for letting me play with Katy tomorrow.” “Thank You, Jesus, that You will give Grandpa and Grandma a safe trip.” “Thank You, Jesus, that You will help Mommy’s cold get better.”

I wondered if I should teach her that not every prayer had to begin that way. Yet as I listened to these prayers, I realized that she was teaching me.

She had complete confidence in Jesus and believed He had already taken care of all her needs. Trusting in Him, she was, as it says in Ephesians, “giving thanks always for all things”—even before they happened!

Thank You, Jesus, for answering the prayers that I have yet to pray.

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