NOVEMBER 26, Ephesians 6:18

“It’s prayer time now,” Mom said, closing the Bible that she and Wei Ern had been reading. They were having devotions together, just the two of them, because Dad was out of town. “You pray,” said Wei Ern. “Okay?”

“I’ll be glad to start,” agreed Mom, “but don’t you want to talk to God, too?” Wei Ern shook his head. “Not today,” he said. Then, he squirmed while Mom prayed aloud. He wished she’d hurry up. He wanted to go out and play. Besides, he thought to himself, “God already knows everything, doesn’t He? Why do we have to tell Him all this stuff He already knows?”

When Wei Ern was playing outdoors the next day, he heard the phone ring. He went on playing, until it suddenly occurred to him that the phone call might be from his dad. Wei Ern rushed into the kitchen just in time to see Mom hang up the phone. “Was that Dad?” Wei Ern asked. “I want to talk to him. I want to tell him about our ball game and ask him if he’s gotten over his cold.”

“He wanted to talk to you, too,” said Mom, “but there was another call coming in, so he had to answer it. But his cold is much better, and I told him all about the ball game.” “It isn’t the same as me telling him,” Wei Ern insisted. “And besides, we haven’t talked today. I want to talk to Dad.” “Well, let’s call him back a little later so the two of you can talk,” suggested Mom. They did call Dad later that day, and Wei Ern talked with his father for several minutes. After hanging up, Wei Ern grinned at his mom. “Dad was glad we called back,” he told her. “He said he liked having me tell him about all the stuff I’ve been doing, even though he already knew about it.”

“Earthly fathers love to have conversations with their children,” said Mom with a smile. “And now, before you go out to play again, let’s have our daily devotions. After all, our Heavenly Father likes to have us talk to Him, too.” Wei Ern nodded. “I guess He’d like me to tell Him all the same stuff that I told Dad. He’d like to hear it from me even though He already knows about it, right?” “He surely would,” agreed Mom.

Thought: When you pray, do you feel like you are repeating things that God already knows? Yes, He does know all things, but He wants you to tell Him about the things that are going on in your life. He loves you and wants to be included in your daily routine.

Prayer: Heavenly Father, help me to be diligent in prayer. In Jesus’ name I pray, Amen.