Genetic Praying

So Jesus said to them, “Truly, truly, I say to you, the Son can do nothing of his own accord, but only what he sees the Father doing. For whatever the Father does, that the Son does likewise. John 5:19

I find genetics absolutely amazing!  Parent teacher conference night is one of my favorite events of the school year because I love seeing how the kids resemble or imitate their parents.  It’s fascinating to see how things just seem to “run in the family.”  Sometimes academic or athletic ability seem to seep into each new generation.  The same can be said for musical, theater or artistic talents too. 

I started reading a new book last week and there was a chapter on prayer.   The author, Matthew Kelly talked about the “prayer giants” from each generation that just seemed to hold the whole family together like glue with their constant prayers.  It made me wonder if praying could be genetic too.  After several days of careful thought I’ve decided becoming a prayer giant is about more than genetics or birth order. I don’t think prayerfulness is inherited like a great jump shot or speedy feet; I think it’s learned or developed by following a great example.  Who is the prayer giant in your family? If I were a bettin woman, I would be willing to bet you called to mind someone older than you as the prayer giant in your family.  I’ll admit, so did I at first…but then I gave it some more thought and I came up with a different idea.

What if there were more than one prayer giant in the family?  What if a prayer giant was little? Then I really began thinking about what makes someone a prayer giant. I have a little boy in my class this year that can get more absorbed and lost in prayer than most adults …and I am amazed!  I have two little lovelies who are always the last to get ready for recess and the past few days they ask before going out if I’d like them to say a prayer they know...and I am touched! I had the privilege of hauling a small group of teenage girls somewhere and they spent the entire trip discussing the ways God is working in their lives and praying together…and I am inspired!  I attended a healing prayer service last Sunday and I was amazed at the number of children and teenagers enthusiastic about being prayed over…and I am awestruck.  We have a new pastor in our parish who has a prayerfulness and faith about him that changes people…and I am thankful.  I had a visit with the beautiful grandmother of one of my little lovelies recently and as she hugged me and told me thank you, she prayed over me as comfortably as if she were reporting the day’s weather…and I am blessed.  In the book  it made it seem like each family had “one” prayer giant but what if each family had more?  Wouldn’t that make a difference!   What if instead of trying to figure out who the prayer giant in your family is…you decided to become the prayer giant!  That would leave a mark on the world for sure!

Our first response to anything should be prayer…prayer in times of thankfulness, prayer in times of sorrow, prayers in times of celebration,
prayer in times of sickness and health.  What if we demonstrated to everyone we love that prayer is where we always begin and everything that happens after that will be better.  What if we trained, inspired and taught so many prayer giants by our good example that instead of looking to see who the prayer giant was, we would be searching to see who it wasn’t!  

I haven't finished the book, but I have given lots of thought to the actions of the prayer giants I know so here's how I think it begins; 1) Set aside the first 10 minutes of the day to speak with God, ask for His guidance and invite Him into your heart and your day. 2) Make a list of everyone who needs prayer or blessing and put it in your pocket. 3) Throughout the day make sure you are praying for people more than you’re talking about people. 4) Every time you are compelled to complain…about anything say a prayer for one of the people on your list instead. 5) Pray for each person in your family by name every day. 6) End your day by telling God thank you for every blessing of the day followed by an apology for all the places you fell a little short. Even giants start out small!  If we all begin here, we just might make prayerfulness genetic!

 A Seed To Plant:  Begin the 6 steps for becoming a prayer giant TODAY!

Blessings on your day!