"Prayer begins with an honest, heartfelt 'Oh, Daddy.'"

A thought by Max Lucado from his book, Before Amen: The Power of a Simple Prayer  (p. 12). Thomas Nelson. Kindle Edition. (Click on the book title to go to Amazon.com to buy the book.)

Back when I was in 3^rd grade at Light and Life Elementary School in Phoenix, Arizona we had to bring our own lunches to school.  And I was always excited on the days that we didn’t bring our lunch because Dad was going to go to the new McDonalds on Central Ave and bring us a hamburger and french fries.  It was so exciting to see him coming. My sister and I would run to Dad.  It was so great.

Now when he came I didn’t say: “Father, it is most gracious of thee to drive thy car to my place of education and provide me this middle of the day nourishment. Please know of my deep gratitude for your benevolence. For thou art splendid in thy attentive care and diligent in thy dedication.” 

No, I didn’t say that.  I said, “Thanks, Dad.  This is so great” or something like that.

Now Max says, “God invites us to approach him in the same manner. What a relief! We prayer wimps fear ‘mis-praying.’ What are the expected etiquette and dress code of prayer? What if we kneel instead of stand? What if we say the wrong words or use the wrong tone? Am I apostate if I say ‘prostate’ instead of ‘prostrate’?”

He goes on, “Jesus’ answer? ‘Unless you are converted and become as little children, you will by no means enter the kingdom of heaven” (Matt. 18:3). Become as little children. Carefree. Joy filled. Playful. Trusting. Curious. Excited. Forget greatness; seek littleness. Trust more; strut less. Make lots of requests, and accept all the gifts. Come to God the way a child comes to Daddy.”

Max also says, “He’s low on fancy, high on accessibility. To pray at the Vatican can be meaningful. But prayers offered at home carry as much weight as prayers offered in Rome. Travel to the Wailing Wall if you want. But prayer at your backyard fence is just as effective. The One who hears your prayers is your Daddy. You needn’t woo him with location.

“Jesus downplayed the importance of words in prayers. We tend to do the opposite. The more words the better. The better words the better. Muslim prayers, however impressive, must be properly recited at each of the five appointed times during the day. Hindu and Buddhist prayers, however profound, depend upon the repetition of mantras, words, and syllables. Even branches of the Christian faith emphasize the appropriate prayer language, the latest prayer trend, the holiest prayer terminology. Against all this emphasis on syllables and rituals, Jesus says, “Don’t ramble like heathens who . . . talk a lot” (Matt. 6:7 GOD’S WORD).

“Vocabulary and geography might impress people but not God. There is no panel of angelic judges with numbered cards. ‘Wow, Lucado, that prayer was a ten. God will certainly hear you!’  ‘Oh, Lucado, you scored a two this morning. Go home and practice.’ Prayers aren’t graded according to style.

“Just as a happy child cannot mis-hug, the sincere heart cannot mis-pray. Heaven knows, life has enough burdens without the burden of praying correctly. If prayer depends on how I pray, I’m sunk. But if the power of prayer depends on the One who hears the prayer, and if the One who hears the prayer is my Daddy, then I have hope.”

And that is a very good thing, isn’t it?

Yes, yes!