Pray Like a Child

Looking at this picture of a child praying makes me think of the simplicity of prayer. In Matthew 6:5-15, where Jesus teaches us to pray...He shows us it's not to be some big production. We're to go off by ourselves and speak directly and simply, speaking our hearts and minds to God. I think that sometimes we complicate praying. We feel like we have to get the words just right. But, seeing this child praying, reminds me it's not about the right words...it's about the heart...it's about faith...it's about believing that the things we ask for will be answered...that God's will is going to be done...regardless of our words. Jesus warns us not to "babble on like pagans." I wonder if sometimes the church has been a barrier to prayer for Christians. When pastors pray on Sunday it sounds eloquent. When I pray on my own, it sounds nothing like a Sunday morning prayer. Some people hear a pastor or church leader pray and say, "Wow! That person really knows how to pray." Then, they feel like their prayers are somehow not as good. Prayer is talking to God. It's communicating with our heavenly Father. It's talking to a friend...to a loved one...like a child speaks to his parents. I don't know...I'm just babbling on and rambling...Just some thoughts prior to finishing my first cup of coffee for the day!