Bill and I figured out that our son Michael was a born fisherman when he was five. He loved it from the first moment. His dad told him that to be a great fisherman, you need to pray first because God is in charge of the fish. That is how Michael fished all through his childhood.

When he was 11, we went camping once again as a family. He had prayed for 3 months before we went, asking God to help him catch fish. That summer was very hot, and we heard from the seasoned fishermen that the fish were not biting and they blamed the heat. Michael went fishing anyway and caught fish. He had a stringer full of his catch.

Word got around the lake about a kid with a bunch of fish. One by one, the fishermen dropped by to quiz Michael about what kind of lure he used, where in the lake he went, how deep he was going, and many similar questions. Michael told them and they said we did all that. Then he said, “I also prayed for 3 months before I came and asked God to help me catch fish.” The men said, “We didn’t do that!” I don’t think they will ever have forgotten that boy with all his fish when nobody else was catching and God who clearly heard the humble prayers of that boy.

When children pray, the beauty of it is they believe wholeheartedly that God will answer them. They do not doubt. Why would they? These verses remind us of Jesus’ clear instruction on how we ought to come to Him in prayer. We come humbly, not demanding and not entitled.

“Jesus invited a little child to stand among them. Truly I tell you,” He said, “unless you change and become like little children, you will never enter the kingdom of heaven. Therefore, whoever humbles himself like this little child is the greatest in the kingdom of heaven.” Mathew 18:2-4

Sometimes, as adults, we come to God with our requests in prayer but in the back of our minds are the thoughts of how we are going to help God answer our prayer. We also have some suggestions for Him - I certainly do. I have all kinds of great ideas, or so I would think. We can certainly do this, but we must come humbly laying all those great ideas and suggestions at His feet. God’s ways are not our ways as the Scriptures say.

Dear Father,

Thank You for the reminder that we are to come to humbly like a child. Forgive me for the times I fail to do that. I come to You once again asking You to teach me to pray. I ask that I might enroll again in the school of prayer. Thank You for hearing me when I pray.

In Jesus Name

Amen