There is such a thing as childlike faith.  While we as adults may sometimes struggle to develop such a faith in God, children do not face such difficulty.  There is an innocent ability in children to accept anything good as true.

This does not mean that adults have no opportunity or responsibility to encourage children in their faith and prayers.  The opposite is true.  We have both the privilege and the responsibility to properly instruct and guide our children (and grandchildren) in the true faith and in how to effectively practice and express that faith.

Many children are taught simple prayers to recite, the idea being that they are not old enough to grasp real prayer.  We don't want them to make mistakes.  My personal belief is that we often fail to understand both the power of an innocent heart and the willingness of God to reveal Himself to children.  Jesus once rebuked His own disciples for making the same mistake.

"Permit the children to come to me," Jesus said.  In other words, why place walls of ritual between young children and the living God?  Allow them to meet the Lord in sincerity and truth.  Guide them in proper prayer, in sincere and meaningful prayer.  Instruct young children in the truth about God's love and power.  Let them learn early how to pray and how God works to answer prayer.

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