Childlike Faith

Father,  I come before you on bended knees as your child saying thank you.
Father I thank you for allowing us to see another day, I thank you for choosing me as your daughter and you being my Father. I pray that you forgive our sins that we have committed, those known and unknown. Father I ask that you renew a clean heart in us, and help us to forgive those who trespass against us. I pray that you bless this day, and that I will be a light and a blessing in someone’s life. Lord I pray that in all that we do and say, that you get the glory Lord. Father everything that we have, the material things, all are because of your grace and mercy towards us, so we say thank you. Father I petition all these things up to you in the precious name of Jesus.  Amen

                                                                                      Prayer by:  Faith Narcisse

Have any of you observed children behave and converse with one another?  Those of you who work in education or are parents may be able to relate more.  I have two little ones close in age, and when I pick them up from school,  sometimes I kind of sit back and watch their behavior.  They are amongst a diverse bunch and there is not a care in the world, just whatever they are focused on.  All of them have smiles on their faces, and each one of them is sharing whatever they have on their minds.  They are not focused on what clothes the others are wearing, or the color of their skin.  There are some children who are more educated than others, but that does not stop them from having fun together.  My daughter is fair skinned and has long hair, and yet I do not see any other little girl staring at her with jealousy.  I do not see my son expressing anger because another boy keeps getting the football thrown to him.  He is just waiting patiently.  Oh, and their conversations are beautiful.  Just to see their imagination expressed via their words is just amazing.  It is that type of mind that we as adults need to mimic when it pertains to our faith. 

As adults, we have thoughts of anger.  We have numerous desires of the flesh.  We have thoughts of segregation.  We have feelings of jealousy.  It is these types of thoughts that hinder us from truly being receptive of the Holy Spirit.  Jesus warned his disciples for displaying an unnecessary attitude towards children.  The bible states “Then they brought little children to Him, that He might touch them; but the disciples rebuked those who brought them.  But when Jesus saw it, He was greatly displeased and said to them, "Let the little children come to Me, and do not forbid them; for of such is the kingdom of God.  “Assuredly, I say to you, whoever does not receive the kingdom of God as a little child will by no means enter it." (Mr 10:13-15)  The nerve of those disciples.  Jesus is preaching, teaching, and healing, and people were bringing their children to be introduced to such a man, and the disciples had the audacity to rebuke those who brought them.  Rebuke?  Do you know rebuke is defined as to express sharp, stern disapproval of; reprove; or reprimand?  Why did they do this?  What kind of mindset did they have where they felt they knew the mind of Christ?  Christ was absolutely justified in being displeased, and I am glad that he put them in their place.  The same children they were preventing from being amongst Jesus, is the exact example these children displays that the Father desires for us to have.

What does it mean to have a childlike faith?  Have you ever said anything to your children and they called you a liar?  When you are speaking, do they not hang on every word that leaves your lips?  What major thoughts could they have that would hinder them from being open to the Holy Spirit?  Simply, a childlike faith is that of a person who is humble, teachable, simple, and have a temper and spirit of a child.  Can you imagine the possibilities of not having the worries and distractions of everyday life, as we allow the Holy Spirit to minister to us?  What mysteries would we uncover if we were to behave like a child when receiving God’s word?  I don’t want to grow up.  Amen