Child's Prayer

As I continue to ponder the first Advent of Jesus, I am thinking about when Jesus began to pray as a child. I imaging Mary, His mother sitting beside Him at bedtime and praying a prayer over Him. She most likely sat Him on her lap and prayed with Him in the morning too.

Jesus learned as a young child that prayer was important. He made it a constant practice in His life and has us to do the same.

The Jewish people are taught to pray a prayer called the Shema. "Hear, O Israel: The LORD is our God, The LORD is one. And you shall love the LORD your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your strength." This prayer comes from Deuteronomy 6:4-5 and goes on through verse 9. Jesus was taught this prayer and recited it at least twice a day as was dictated in verse 7. Jesus, being love did love The Lord God with all His heart, soul and strength.

When Jesus was ministering to crowds He taught the Shema as the first and greatest commandment and then said that the second was to also love our neighbors. He lived this prayer! Jesus did not just say words, but acted on the words He spoke to God His Father who was one with Him. Jesus let it be known that He is one with God.

Father God, You are LORD! You are love and sent love to us in Jesus. I want to love you with all my heart and soul and strength. But I fail often, forgive me LORD, teach me how to love you more. I belong to You, LORD God. I agree with Jesus' prayer recorded in John 17: 21-22 that I am to be one with other believers and be in You. Let my heart, soul and strength depend and be united with you every day!