It wouldn’t be too far off to say that my entire testimony of prayer is contained in the song “A Child’s Prayer.” I’m not trying to get out of addressing this pillar of faith, I just don’t think I can say it better than Janice Kapp Perry. Take a listen. I’ll wait.
No sound? Here are the lyrics. It is a two-part song – first verse, second verse, then both together.
A Child’s Prayer
1.Heavenly Father, are you really there?
And do you hear and answer ev’ry child’s prayer?
Some say that heaven is far away,
But I feel it close around me as I pray.
Heavenly Father, I remember now
Something that Jesus told disciples long ago:
“Suffer the children to come to me.”
Father, in prayer I’m coming now to thee.
2. Pray, he is there;
Speak, he is list’ning.
You are his child;
His love now surrounds you.
He hears your prayer;
He loves the children.
Of such is the kingdom, the kingdom of heav’n.
Words and music: Janice Kapp Perry, b. 1938 © 1984 by Janice Kapp Perry. This song may be copied for incidental, noncommercial church or home use.
Teaching My Own Children About Prayer
I am earnestly trying to instill in my children a testimony of prayer. If something is worrying them before they go into school, we pray about it right then and there in the car. Before we go to bed, they each take turns praying (sometimes this includes really hilarious things, such as remembering to brush our teeth, but hey, nothing is too big OR too small for Him, right?). I want them to know, without hesitation, that prayer is always available to them with or without me helping them say the words. We generally use the following format:
- First: Dear Heavenly Father,
- Next: Give thanks for blessings
- Then: Ask for what we need
- Last: In the name of Jesus Christ, Amen
However, I don’t want them to think that this is the only way to pray. In fact, in times of overwhelming emotion or emergency, my prayers are more a yearning for connection with Him than anything I can verbalize. Indeed, Joseph F. Smith said, “Prayer does not consist of words altogether. True, faithful, earnest prayer consists more in the feeling that rises from the heart and from the inward desire of our spirits…It matters not how simple the words may be, if our desires are genuine and we come before the Lord with a broken heart and contrite spirit to ask Him for that which we need.” Some of my most memorable experiences with prayer have had no words at all.
I Know
Our Heavenly Father is really there. He lives, and He hears the prayer of each one of his children. I can personally witness to you that I do feel His love surround me when I pray. Do I always get an immediate answer? No. But I do feel peace and through the gift of personal revelation, I often receive direction, comfort, or even on occasion a perfect clarity in my mind about what I should do. I love the way that this song is structured as a duet. When doubt questions the validity of prayer, we can find encouragement in the knowledge that others are there to uplift us and even pray on our behalf. I have truly been blessed by prayer many times in my life. Have you had a time in your life when you received what you needed through prayer?
These are my own personal feelings and opinions as a member of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints. I imply no endorsement from or affiliation with the Church. Please visit lds.org or mormon.org for more information from official church sites. Thank you!
Photo Credit: Lori Lamb
