If the only prayer you ever say in your whole life is “thank you,” that would suffice.
Meister Eckhart
On Thursdays, the boys go to Mass at school. Tonight, Henry said, “Do you know who I peaced at Mass today? Charlie!” I had a vision of them fist bumping or high fiving in their little clip-on ties and short sleeved dress shirts. But apparently they shook hands like civilized people, because that’s how you “peace” someone, according to Henry.
Last week, as they were eating their snack and recapping their day for me, Henry said, “Today at Mass I prayed that we wouldn’t have any homework. AND WE DIDN’T!”
And I said, “I’m not sure that’s the best use of your prayers.”
“What? Why not?”
“Well … ” I said, “because when you pray …” and then the phone rang. It was Wade. “I’m trying to explain to your son that asking God to get him out of homework isn’t the best approach to prayer.”
Wade laughed. “Why not? Isn’t the whole idea to ask for things?”
“It’s a prayer,” I said, “not a wish list.”
“WHAT?!?” Henry said. “I prayed we wouldn’t have homework and IT WORKED.”
I sighed. “Well, did you at least say thank you?” I asked him.
“What?” he said. “Why?”
I’m going to have to work on this, I think.
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I have just started reading your blog and this one made me laugh! I have to say, I agree with your husband. If we believe and teach that God is awesome and omnipotent and that we are truly important to Him, then part of prayer is asking Him for Anything, and what is more important at that age than no homework? But the thanking Him? That one we all need work on!
By Jennifer on 11.19.09 10:41 pm | Permalink
There are several types of prayer and prayers of petition are just one type…
HILARIOUS story though. Had be laughing out loud… my 2 year old asked what was up and now WE’RE discussing prayer. Thanks!
By chelsie on 11.20.09 4:54 am | Permalink
Ha! This is a good one. Thanks for the laugh! Ah, your boys are so sweet and cute.
By Shannon on 11.20.09 8:10 am | Permalink
This is great… Sometimes my prayers are like that, too. God DOES say to cast all of our burdens on Him, and heaven knows that homework is a burden!
By Damsel on 11.20.09 9:06 am | Permalink
We always tell our children that God answers your prayers…but sometimes, like with parents, the answer is “no” because God knows what’s best for us. They actually do understand this.
Also, we tell them they can ask for strength to get through trials. “God, I really hope there isn’t homework tonight, but if it’s Your will that there is homework, help me finish it on time.”
Kids are funny though. When my niece was about five years old or so, she drew a picture of Jesus in a big pot, with the apostles all standing around. I asked her about the picture, and she said, “They’re cooking Jesus to eat him, because he said, ‘Take, eat, this is my body!’ So they killed him, cooked him and ate him.”
I looked at my sister in law, who was MORTIFIED, being very devout, and I said, “Somebody’s a little confused about the Last Supper.”
By Karen on 11.20.09 9:14 am | Permalink
From the mouths of babes or kids I guess. That is so sweet. Especially as a catholic, I peace this.
By JenB on 11.20.09 12:07 pm | Permalink
Every night I ask my son what he wants to thank God for. His answer NEVER varies. He always says “For all the food and books and toys and people.”
So I guess he’s got everything covered with that one…
By Rebecca (Bearca) on 11.20.09 12:51 pm | Permalink
Your kids have access to religion - we do not. But that does not mean that Santa Claus isn’t confusing to us! Just today, I wrote a whole thing about that on my blog.
But…funny! Those kids…your anecdotes make me laugh. Makes me think of other questions my own kids ask, like “but mommy, how can you wrap silence into a present?”…
ha. Silence…wrapped in pretty paper with a nice bow on top!
By Javamom on 11.20.09 1:18 pm | Permalink
There must be something wrong with me…my point above was that you ask for things from people or “idea” of people that you wish for, whether it makes sense or not.
Today I make no sense. But I still enjoyed your post!
By Javamom on 11.20.09 1:28 pm | Permalink
My own 8-year-old thinks God really does concern Himself with whether or not she gets a vowel from the Scrabble bag, and I hope she always believes in His care so fervently!
You might find this little story funny:
http://thebigsalad.blogspot.com/2009/09/you-gotta-have-faith.html
By Lar on 11.20.09 2:46 pm | Permalink
my 6 year old has been having trouble in school with “self-control” (read: he’s been in the principal’s office almost every day this week) so I suggested he talk to God about it. He did that, and more, and unprompted, pretty much covered the biggest daily challenge for each person in the family (!!!) Here was his prayer:
Dear God,
Please help me to have self-control today. Please don’t let Scrappy bite his friends. Please help Mommy not to get frustrated.
In Jesus’ name, Amen
By PixieWearingMom on 11.20.09 4:16 pm | Permalink
Hilarious. Maybe you should start doing a nightly grace in the small things with your boys.
God is such a foreign concept to most kids. He’s just another “magic” being like Santa or the Tooth Fairy.
By Carrie @ Who Knew? on 11.20.09 7:50 pm | Permalink
Well, I sometimes pray for the strength to get out of bed in the morning, so I won’t begrudge him a little time off homework prayer!
By Natalie on 11.21.09 1:40 am | Permalink
Damn! Are you saying that *I* shouldn’t be praying for no homework every afternoon in the carpool line? (Although it NEVER works for me, so if Henry would like to do a Theology 201 blog post with some tips, I would totally appreciate it.)
By Sue @ Laundry for Six on 11.21.09 7:55 am | Permalink
Totally blame the teachers.
I would.
That is probably why my kids don’t go to Catholic school…
By Kelley @ Magnetoboldtoo on 11.22.09 1:53 am | Permalink
OMG I think I love your little boy! Too adorable!
By design for mankind on 11.23.09 8:07 pm | Permalink
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