“Will you pray with me?” This is a question I hear daily from my 9-year-old. Her worried heart at times grips her, making it difficult for her to fall asleep or nervous to try something new. Her first instinct is to pray with Mom. Perhaps this is because of how many times her Dad and I have told her that God is with her, that she is never alone, and that she can always come to Him in prayer and He will answer. Perhaps it is because she has seen her Dad and I lean on the Lord in times of difficulty. Or perhaps it is a message she received from church, a teacher, or a friend. Either way, she is listening, she is seeing, and she is hearing.

I wouldn’t say it is my first instinct to go to God in prayer when worries or anxieties arise. Maybe it is my second, but most likely it’s my fourth. First, I might text a friend or my husband. Second, I might indulge in some chocolate found around my home. Third, I might work on solving a problem on my own. Finally, I may look to God for guidance. Eventually, I get there, but it takes much prodding on my heart from the Spirit.

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Sometimes, it feels that my 9-year-old has a closer awareness of the Spirit than I do. As she is being taught the truths of Scripture and the grace of God on the daily, it is the Spirit who is working within her life, leading her to prayer through these daily habits.

Her heart searches for comfort, and she knows she can find it in words her mom utters aloud to Jesus. It is not lost on me that after the prayer, sleep quickly comes to her as she rests in the peace of God. Even when I get to prayer, my heart does not always fully rest in the peace found in God. To my daughter, these aren’t just hopeless words uttered quickly; they are hope-filled assurances to a Father who loves his daughter.

For me, at times, it doesn’t feel as simple as this. Somehow, as an adult, the problems feel bigger than simply not being able to sleep. Yet, to my God, they are as big as a 9-year-old not being able to sleep. To assume they are too big is to believe my God is too small. As a 9-year-old, God is bigger. There is no pride to get in the way of this thought. But as a 34-year-old, do I truly think the same or does my pride get in the way? The faith my daughter holds so closely shows me a pure and innocent grasp that I so desire. I am listening, I am seeing, I am hearing.

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As the Spirit works through my daughter to speak to my heart, I am reminded of the simplicity of a faith that is based on love and trust. I am reminded that God is bigger than any problem or heartache I may face today. And I am reminded that He is God and I am not, so as I come to Him in prayer, I am hope-filled in giving my trust to a true God who covers me with His peace and grace.

Will you pray with me? God, Emmanuel, is with us.