Whether we should continue to use childhood prayers in high school and thereafter is the topic, today. Also, there is more on children’s church. The “Yahoo! Answers” writer using the ID “Catroina” (Level 1 with 123 points, a member since March 20, 2013) posted the following:
Am I getting to old for these prayers?
(Before Bed)
Now I lay me down to sleep,
I pray the Lord my soul to keep,
If I shall die before I wake,
I pray the Lord my soul to take. Amen.
God bless everybody in my family and make me a good little girl.
(Before Dinner)
God is Grace and God is Good,
Lord we thank you for our food,
Bow our heads, we must be feed,
Give us Lord, our daily bread. Amen.
I’m a freshman in high school. Am I getting to old for these prayers, or can you keep saying them forever? Just wondering.
THE BATTLE AXE: Issues for Children’s Church (04/06/2013)—(6.) The birth mother is the first teacher (i.e., human agent and spokesperson for GOD) to her own child, and divine instruction within the home is to be under the headship of the father. In addition to guidance that socializes a child to acknowledge others as responsible members of the congregation, young believers must have demonstrations that affirm that what was begun and continued within the home is harmonized with, increased by, and reconciled to gifts and ministries in heaven and upon earth, during time past, present and yet to come, throughout the full congregation as well as for created beings, living creatures, and those unseen throughout the universe of GOD. (7.) All teaching in the church is by the operation of the Holy Spirit. The same truth must go forth to all despite differences in age, ethnicity, gender and social standing; the same divine law and Gospel of salvation are to be imparted to all. Just as at Sinai—where every full grown man, woman, expectant mother and yet unborn child along with minors, teenagers and young adults, shared the experience of feeling and hearing the voice of GOD proclaim the terms of covenant—the sacred process that fosters comfort, edification and prophecy continues as both verbal and visceral. Divine substance must be conveyed including faith, fear of the Lord (i.e., reverence, right respect), holiness, joy, longsuffering, wisdom and wrath against sin. See Deuteronomy 4: 32-40, Isaiah 54: 13-15 and John 6: 45, King James Version.
THE GOLDEN ARROW: And I saw in the right hand of him that sat on the throne a book written within and on the backside, sealed with seven seals. And I saw a strong angel proclaiming with a loud voice, Who is worthy to open the book, and to loose the seals thereof? And no man in heaven, nor in earth, neither under the earth, was able to open the book, neither to look thereon. And I wept much, because no man was found worthy to open and to read the book, neither to look thereon. And one of the elders saith unto me, Weep not: behold, the Lion of the tribe of Judah, the Root of David, hath prevailed to open the book, and to loose the seven seals thereof. And I beheld, and, lo, in the midst of the throne and of the four beasts, and in the midst of the elders, stood a Lamb as it had been slain, having seven horns and seven eyes, which are the seven Spirits of God sent forth into all the earth. And he came and took the book out of the right hand of him that sat upon the throne. And when he had taken the book, the four beasts and four and twenty elders fell down before the Lamb, having every one of them harps, and golden vials full of odours, which are the prayers of saints. (Revelation 5: 1-8, KJV)
THE DOUBLE DAGGER: A Spirit Church? (04/04/2013); My Brother’s Keeper (04/05/2013); Eat His Body, Drink His Blood (03/21, 2013); Foolish For Not Believing? (03/22/2013); Grandchildren? (03/23/2011); A To Do List (03/24/2011)
Catroina, many mature Christian believers trust that every acceptable prayer they have ever offered to GOD continues to be useful as a sincere expression of their innermost feelings and personal understandings, and an eternal link binding us to the Holy. While our practice of prayer as children begins with simple rhymes, and may appear as vain repetition, we quickly grasp that our attitude, our tone, and many other subtle elements infuse our prayers with beauty, power and sacred substance pleasing to GOD. What others may mock because of its simplicity, in fact, is deep and profound; and is usually not said often enough, and can not be spoken too many times, like heartfelt “thank you,” and “I love you.”
As we grow emotionally, physically, psychologically, and spiritually, the concerns we should share with GOD through our prayer relationship also change. In addition to the embrace of our day-to-day, real-world challenges, crises and emergencies, we should begin to unselfishly address a broad range of life duties, family issues, fears, goals, growing pains, and our sacred work of spreading the Gospel. As a gift and tool from GOD, our prayers should share, and show to GOD, who we really are through our private feelings and thoughts. However, prayer should never be a matter of “me, myself and I;” self promotion, and the demand to “have our own way.”
There is far more to be said, correctly applied, and spiritually apprehended. (For example, repeating the Lord’s Prayer, or the Rosary should be continued as part of ones prayer life, however, these should not be relied upon as the only communication offered in ones prayer life. Like the sacraments of confession and the Lord’s Supper, the practice of memorized prayers, or even prayers that quote verses from the Bible, should be recognized as works of faith that, of themselves, do not bestow salvation. Believers must accept that their salvation is only through grace, by faith in the work of GOD in the person of Jesus Christ, and through the Holy Spirit.) Even so, I trust this fragment will be useful. Be it unto you according to your faith.
THE BLACK PHOENIX
Washington, DC
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