Kitchen Catechism: Featured Articles
To think, to wonder, to decide
by Lois Donahue
I've had a few days recently when I spent entirely too much time reading newspapers, watching TV, listening to the radio and deciphering modern popular song lyrics. While that time didn't succeed in dragging me into despair or hopelessness, it definitely made me think more seriously about the reality that there is a battle being waged not only against God but also against giving credibility to anything associated with belief in God.
I think what bothers me most about this battle is that the enemy is targeting children - little ones, growing-up ones and even those we like to think of as already 'grown'. This is not a surprising tactic because what children come to believe as truth shapes the future - both theirs and the world's. I know that we, as adults, must do what we can to help our children face and defeat the enemy. However, facing reality, I began to wonder what, at my age, I could possibly do to help. While I greatly appreciate the love and respect given me by the children in my personal world, I am fully aware that I have very little, if any, competitive influence in their much broader world which is filled with "help-givers" like TV, the Movies, the Internet and the ever-powerful impact of Peer Pressure.
After much thought, I decided the best thing for me to do would be to talk to someone I was certain could and would help ----
Dear Jesus, I am here again asking a favor - this time on behalf of our children. I worry about them because I am not sure they pray.
Please help them to realize that prayer does change things - not just the wonderful, often miraculous, things that happen as the result of prayer, but what can change in their everyday lives when they actually begin to pray.
I fear that outside of prayer their faith, their belief in You, might waiver because their minds cannot know You as someone real - as someone powerful - as someone loving, merciful and just. That's why I so want them to know that prayer brings "feeling' to their faith and lets their heart know You far more personally than their mind ever could.
Please let them experience how prayer can become PRESENCE, Your presence. They so desperately need You in their lives and to know that from You can be drawn whatever they might need to deal with the challenges and demands of day-to-day reality.
I beg You, Jesus, guide our children to prayer'.