Prayer is an Essential

We all know that prayer should be the foundation of anything. It is the first thing we do when we accept Jesus into our lives. It should be the first thing we do each day. Yet, how many of us have gone through a rough day only to realize we neglected to spend time with God that day. Building this discipline is so important in the life of children. They are now creating habits for life. 85% of their personality is defined by the age of 5. How much more of who they are will be defined by that age.

The five finger prayer is a great way to teach children how to pray. It can be used in our teaching time or in our quiet times.

1. Our thumb is nearest to us...Begin your prayers by praying for those closest to you. They're the easiest to remember. While praying for our loved ones is easy, the Bible also tells us to pray for our enemies who, in a negative way, are also near us.

Matthew 5:44
But I say to you, love your enemies, bless those who curse you, do good to those who hate you, and pray for those who spitefully use you and persecute you

2. The next is our pointer finger...Pray for those who teach, instruct, and heal. This includes teachers, doctors, and ministers (it's these people who tend to "point" the way). They need support and wisdom in pointing others in the right direction. Keep them in your prayers. These men and women have great influence on society, and we should pray that they display and teach Godly principles in all they do.

3. Next is our tallest finger...It reminds us of our leaders. Pray for the president, leaders in business, industry, and administrators. These people shape our nation and guide public opinion. They need God's guidance. When the king of Nineveh prayed to God he saved his nation from destruction (Jonah 3:6-10). We should pray that our decision makers repent and seek God's will as they lead us.

4. Fourth is our ring finger...Surprising to many is the fact that this is our weakest finger, as any piano teacher will testify. It should remind us to pray for those who are ill, weak, in trouble, or in pain. They need your prayers day and night.

5. Last is our little finger...The smallest finger of all. Which is where we should place ourselves in relation to God and others. As the Bible says, "...for the one who is least among all of you, this is the one who is great." (Luke 9:48) Your pinkie should remind you to pray for yourself. By the time you have prayed for the other 4 groups, your own needs should be put into proper perspective. We should be asking forgiveness for our sins, thanking God for our many blessings, and last laying out what is on our heart and asking that His will be done in our life.

Prayer is an essential. In some cases a lost art of communication. As we pour into the lives of children, may we be powered up in prayer and leading these young lives by example. After all the old song still reigns true: Read your BIBLE, PRAY everyday, and you'll grow, grow, grow.