Praying Like A Child
Table Talk
Setting the Table
You are welcome here. Come just as you are, bringing whatever is on your heart today. Take a few moments and allow yourself to just be. Take a couple deep breaths, grab yourself a cup of coffee, light a candle, do something that brings you comfort. Allow yourself to be present in this moment.
Consider the openness, presence, and ease with which a child greets the world.
We spent our whole childhood wanting to grow up, and we will spend our whole adulthood wishing we were kids again.
- Unknown
Prayer should not be regarded as a duty which must be performed, but rather as a privilege to be enjoyed, a rare delight that is always revealing some new beauty.
- E.M. Bounds
Psalm 23
The Lord is my shepherd, I lack nothing.
He makes me lie down in green pastures,
he leads me beside quiet waters,
he refreshes my soul.
Even though I walk
through the darkest valley,
I will fear no evil,
for you are with me.
Food for Thought
When I was a child, my mother taught me and guided me to become a person of faith. Yes, she took me to church and all that, but one of my most precious memories is when we closed each day with prayer at bedtime. My mom taught me to say two prayers every night before drifting off to sleep. Psalm 23 began our prayer time, followed by the last verse of Psalm 4: "In peace I will lie down and sleep, for you alone, Lord, make me dwell in safety."
Like many people, Psalm 23 was my mom's favorite psalm because it brought her peace in times of trouble. I think she added Psalm 4, for me, as a prayer of protection against the typical childhood fears and nightmares.
Our nightly prayer ritual/routine was an act of faith and of love. My mother wanted me to begin the journey of falling asleep finding comfort and peace in these familiar words of prayer - and it worked.
But then, the tragedy of becoming an adult happened. I grew up. I left my home and my nighttime prayers, all that brought me joy and comfort as a child, to find who I was becoming in the world. It was almost as Paul said in 1 Corinthians 13, "When I became a man, I put the ways of childhood behind me."
There is something about our society that makes us feel like we can’t embrace both our childhood and our adult selves. The patriarchal elements of our theological foundation may give us a sense that Paul is championing "maturity." But I wonder, what if these words are actually more of a confession. What if Paul is referring instead to his own desire to return to a simpler life - a wish to go back in time to understand the most complex elements of life with the mind of a child - a time when even a short prayer before bed would bring peace.
A few years back, I began to experience the cringe of panic attacks. I have never felt more afraid in my life. It was hard to find peace and balance, knowing that the stress and anxiety of life could evolve into a panic attack at any given moment. It was hard to share about this with others. However, with help I came to accept that, while I am a person of faith and of Christian devotion, my stress and anxiety are mental and physiological conditions. Taking medication to prevent panic attacks does not represent a weak faith, but rather a complex part of my humanity. Having said that, what has helped me most has been to return to my childhood prayers.
I recently read the entire chapter of Psalm 4, this time as an adult. While my mother only taught me the happier conclusion, I was surprised to see the writer's depth of lament. As I’ve continued to live this “grown up” life, I have discovered - as have you, I’m sure - that life is hard. Whether we are children or adults, life hits us with struggles, nightmares, and heartbreak. And for me, adding the spiritual practice of centering my mind, body, and spirit through my childhood prayers and adopting a good night of sleep as a spiritual practice has been the key to finding healing.
As I make my way in this world, I have found that these prayers help calm my mind, body, and soul so they can truly experience rest in the midst of this busy life. When I start to feel overwhelmed, I often go back to those moments when I was a child, sitting alongside the comfort of my mother, saying with her those simple prayers, and remembering the warm blanket feeling they could provide.
Our “Praying Like a Child” Journaling Page provides seven daily thoughts of reflection and journaling prompts that tie back into this week’s story! You can print it, forward it to a friend, use it as inspiration for your own journaling practice (or group conversations), or maybe just use it as food for thought in your own quiet time!
Sleep is vital for our overall health and a sound balance of mind, body, and spirit. During this season of Lent, consider including a time of prayer, meditation, or reflective reading to your nighttime routine as a way of centering down and preparing yourself for a restful evening.
Blessing
Amid the daily troubles,
may God replenish you in your rest.
Amid the nightmares and night terrors,
may God's light shine in your sleep and bring you peace.
May you close your eyes with confidence,
trusting that you are under God's care
and God will keep you safe in your journey.
Amen.
A little Table Talk for your table...
Share with a friend the things that brought you comfort as a child.
If you have since let them go, why is that?
If you feel comfortable, talk with a friend about the issues that steal your joy - that cause you anxiety or that might disrupt your sleep. What are some ways that you and your friend can work together to help bring you more peace of mind?
Try taking it to the Kids Table...
If you had a favorite bedtime prayer growing up, teach it to your kiddo. Perhaps you can recite it together each night during this season of Lent.
Or perhaps your child would rather say their own prayer. As they do, listen intently to the thoughts of their heart.
Likewise, listen intently to any fears or anxieties that your child expresses. What are some ways you can help bring them comfort during their moments of distress?
Meet Our Welcoming Voice!
Rev. Carlos Uroza is the Pastor of Woodbine United Methodist Church and Primera Iglesia Metodista Hispana. He has a B.S. in Culinary Management from the Art Institute and a Masters of Divinity from Vanderbilt Divinity School. He also serves as the interim Executive Director of Cosecha Community Development, a new non-profit in south Nashville whose mission is “Gathering Neighbors Together to Foster Community.” He is married to Dr. Sarah Uroza, and they are blessed to have a 7-year-old, Luke, and a dog named Molly “Tamale.”
To hear more from Carlos throughout the week, follow along on our Instagram!
If you have a story that you would like to be included as a Reader's Write feature, we would love for you to send it our way! You can email us directly at thewelcometableco@gmail.com.
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