Emily's Prayers

Probably about two weeks ago Emily suddenly stared to deeply love and desire prayer. We had not been forcing her to pray out loud figuring it would develop on its own time. Emily is a wild, energetic, enthusiastic little girl with a sparkle in everything she does. But she is also very shy and gets embarrassed very easily. I think this is why praying out loud has been a slow development for her.

But as I was saying, about two weeks ago Emily suddenly decided she could pray! (Perhaps it was after memorizing the verse, "God is my helper, I will not be afraid"?) Her first real prayer had both Henry & I in tears, "My Dear Jesus, Thank you for the food, thank you for the playground, thank you for the round round slide, thank you for my mommy and daddy, thank you for my sister, thank you for the food, thank you for my family. Amen" All this with her eyes squeezed tightly shut (we've actually never made the girls close their eyes during prayer time, but they've picked it up at Sunday School I think). Since this first prayer of hers, she's enjoyed praying. She's stopped during her play to pray. She's prayed for different family members. Some days her prayers are full of "thank you's" and other days she's asking for help for different people. All I know have touched God's heart as they have touched ours.

I can tell though, that she is really getting comfortable in her praying. Last night she prayed, "Dear Jesus, Thank you for all these things and all my stuff. Amen" :)