Relegated to a basement room between church services, my Sunday school class of kindergartners and first graders is usually small. If any children walk by, no matter their age or potty-training status, I try to talk them into joining us for our Bible story. (Just last week, I reeled in a grandmother and her two granddaughters on Mother’s Day.)
Jesus said, “Let the little children come to me, and do not hinder them, for the kingdom of heaven belongs to such as these.” Matthew 19:14
Our class follows a weekly routine. An opening song is our prayer of honor and invitation to God. During the Bible story, we discuss God’s Word and apply it to our lives. Coloring sheets and occasional craft projects review the Bible verse theme. Lastly, we close in prayer. Recently, as I tried to change the kids’ focus from their projects to prayer, the reserved, soft-spoken James volunteered to pray. In his maroon, three-piece, corduroy suit with plaid shirt, James looked so formal, his eyes focused and sincere. James had never been a talker, although he always demonstrated his comprehension of the Bible story. I nodded and then wondered, “We’ll see how this goes.”
Let us then approach God’s throne of grace with confidence, so that we may receive mercy and find grace to help us in our time of need. Hebrews 4:16
And then James prayed. This recent graduate of pull-ups with the gentle disposition launched into an earnest prayer of thanks. In the loudest voice I had ever heard from him, James boldly brought us before the throne of grace. In gratitude to God, James listed over ten items, each spelled out in a full sentence. He gave detailed thanks for personal blessings as well as generalized blessings of yesterday, today, his family, the weather, our class, the kids, and even the teacher.
Pray continually, give thanks in all circumstances; for this is God’s will for you in Christ Jesus. 1 Thessalonians 5:17-18
James’s straightforward prayer gave a comprehensive list of why he was grateful to God. In faith-filled boldness, he concluded, “in Jesus’ name, Amen.”
The prayer of a righteous person is powerful and effective. James 5:16b
Long ago, I memorized that last part of James 5:16 in the King James Version: “the effectual fervent prayer of a righteous man availeth much.” To use the King’s English and male gender in our setting, this certainly demonstrated effectual fervent prayer by a righteous man-child. Instead of jumping in with a closing prayer for our class, as I had anticipated, I was humbled by James’ faith-filled prayer.
Lord, please grow this little James with the giant prayers and use him in mighty ways for your glory.
And he said: “Truly I tell you, unless you change and become like little children, you will never enter the kingdom of heaven. Matthew 18:3
Thank you, James, for being my Sunday school lesson on how to pray bold, giant prayers.
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