Prayer Tip--Becoming Like Children
Daily Scripture
Matthew 18:1-5, NRSV
At that time the disciples came to Jesus and asked, ‘Who is the greatest in the kingdom of heaven?’ He called a child, whom he put among them, and said, ‘Truly I tell you, unless you change and become like children, you will never enter the kingdom of heaven. Whoever becomes humble like this child is the greatest in the kingdom of heaven. Whoever welcomes one such child in my name welcomes me.
Daily Reflection & Prayer
Following Jesus sounds like the easiest part of being a Christian. After all, isn’t that what it’s all about? We all know, though, that keeping Christ in focus as we move through our daily lives isn’t always that easy. There are so many distractions, so many demands for our time, attention, and energy. Sometimes we are pulled into following someone or something else–things the world around us presents as important, shouting and crying out for us to look away from Jesus. If we aren’t careful, we get lost in the noise.
Prayer can keep us in tune with the type of childlike trust Jesus called us to, the kind that enables us to share Jesus’ love boldly and without letting all the noise around us knock us off course.
There is a prayer from the Celtic tradition, part of the much longer Breastplate of St. Patrick, that offers a good tool for keeping our focus as we move through the noise and distraction. It’s a good way to start the day, and a good prayer at any age for when we feel lost, or like we’ve strayed from Christ’s healing and joy.
Prayer
Lord, I come to you today, asking for help to focus on Jesus.
As I move through this day, help me remember that I carry
Christ with me,
Christ before me,
Christ behind me,
Christ in me,
Christ beneath me,
Christ above me,
Christ on my right,
Christ on my left,
Christ when I lie down,
Christ when I sit down,
Christ when I arise,
Christ in the heart of every man who thinks of me,
Christ in the mouth of everyone who speaks of me,
Christ in every eye that sees me,
Christ in every ear that hears me.
Amen.
GPS Insights
Jennifer Creagar
This week's prayer tip is by Jennifer Creagar, the Community Assistance Coordination Director in Resurrection's Congregational Care Ministry. She is married and loves spending time with her family, and she enjoys writing and photography. Today's post is adapted from one Jennifer wrote in June of 2021.
