We were switching rooms because the air conditioning failed. Each classroom at Redemption Church had a chalkboard with handwritten prayer requests. The classroom, where the children in our car were napping, had a six feet tall by three feet wide board so I expect a teacher had transcribed some requests. As I quietly sat on the floor I had time to review and remember some requests. I was on the floor because the classroom chairs were not too small and not too tall but were actually quite uncomfortable medium-sized. The floor was better. Just having a space that was cooler than where we were, in 114 degree heat, was much appreciated. I don’t remember all but some requests suggested the age and concerns of these children. I was surprised and moved. One request was for safe travel. Some regarding health were; grandma has Dpression – please help her, my sister had surgery on her ankle and is in pain, something about a grandma’s toe, one that looked like peace for dad. There were others. The requests were personal and shared there on the board for all to see. The thing with recording prayers is that we can go back and see what God has done. Would this list be reviewed on the next Sunday? Would they add to the list? I had a friend in high school who wanted to believe in God but had prayed for a long time that his parents would stop fighting. They did not choose to stop fighting and there is free will. Even so – I wonder if my friend ever renewed that interest in prayer and belief. The only young-ish request I read on the board was that God would rain down candy from Heaven. What a thought!
The lifelong value of teaching children that God cares and is sovereign has value. What does not have value is the yearlong online subscription (now expired) with fashion information. The last headline I read was, “Jennifer Lawrence Bravely Steps Out In Millennial Socks”. First of all, what is a millennial sock and are you telling me I need to buy some because an actress wears them? I remember this actress looking brave in Hunger Games but has her career been diminished to now being brave about socks? Our world is diminished by such nonsense and I do have an interest in fashion. We discuss the minutia of socks but the parents who take their children to a church that believes in a caring God founded on the Bible that emphasizes and encourages prayer – how good is that? They will enter their futures with Godly tools to deal with parents who argue or whatever the devil throws their way and they will have socks.
