ask the kid to pray

Sunday July 20^th, Romans 8: 26 in the same way, the Spirit helps us in our weakness. We do not know what we ought to pray for, but the Spirit himself intercedes for us with groans that words cannot express. Ever notice how whenever the pastor is around for some occasion, he or she is the one asked to pray.  I believe that is because others think we have all the fancy words that will impress God and therefore God will listen and the job will get done.  It is true that pastors have more practice than most at the whole praying in public thing, but then again, that may be a problem.  Pastors who are used to praying in public therefore, knowingly or unknowingly, tend to slip into a pattern.  The early TV host, Art Linkletter created a whole genre of interviewing kids, which was accompanied with articles and books titled, “Kids say the darndest things."   Most of the darned things they came up with were simple truths stripped of their public veneer.  Most adults found it cute and quant, perhaps because that is what they would say without their self-imposed restriction of a public veneer, and perhaps it was always about someone else’s parents and not themselves.  The next time there is a gathering where a pastor is present, don't ask him or her to pray, do yourself and them a favor and ask them instead to listen.  Then ask the kid among you, or someone new to the faith, or anyone other than the pastor to pray, and then listen as truth reaches into the world.  What you will most likely hear is the spirit speaking.