(Adults, petitionary prayer is not natural to 3-6 year olds. Their prayer is characterized by thanksgiving and praise. This post focuses on how our lives can be prayer.)
In the Gospel for this Sunday, Jesus tells us something about prayer. Some people say that prayer is "talking to God." That is true—prayer can be talking to God. But we have to wonder if prayer is only talking to God.
"Jesus told them a parable about their need to pray always.."
Pray always? All the time? Can we do that? Can we talk to God all the time?
That would be a lot of talking. Perhaps Jesus means something more.
There was a woman named Thérèse who loved God very much. She thought of herself as a simple little flower in God's great beautiful garden. When she died, she grew into God in heaven. But before she died, when Thérèse was very sick, her sister came to visit her. Thérèse told her sister that she was not able to sleep, so instead she kept praying. "And what do you say to Jesus?" her sister asked. "I do not say anything to him," St. Thérèse replied. "I love him."
So loving Jesus is prayer. Can we love Jesus all the time?
How can we love Jesus when we tidy our rooms? What would that prayer look like?
How can we love Jesus when we colour a picture? What would that prayer look like?
How can we love Jesus with our bodies? When we are playing outside? What would that prayer look like?
How can we love Jesus with our voices? With our song? What would that prayer sound like?
Can we love Jesus with noise? Can we love Jesus in silent stillness?