Answered Prayers

Last night the Lord answered one of my prayers for this little one.

This sleeping beauty has been struggling with praying aloud for the past 6 months. The only reason she has ever given is that she is scared. She says she prays in her brain but is just too afraid to do it aloud. So I have been praying for her each night and asking the Lord to make her brave and courageous in that area. 

Yesterday she came home from church with this Job Chart. 

She was very eager to complete these jobs and I was excited about seeing her take ownership and responsibility for some of these things (without reminders). When we were discussing the job chart, I told her that she needed to pray aloud (instead of me) to receive a sticker in that box. She seemed a little nervous but didn't argue. So as she pulled her covers up around her last night, she put her little hands into mine. And she prayed. With boldness and confidence she prayed. With joy and love for her Father she prayed. With conviction and thankfulness she prayed. And I wept. 

I know prayer should not be something we check off our "to-do list" or do to get a sticker on a job chart. But the Lord used that chart to encourage my little one. And He reminded me that He answers prayers in His own timing and in His own way...even when it takes 6 months. 

"When I called, you answered me..." Psalm 138:3

"I call on you, my God, for you will answer me; turn your ear to me and hear my prayer." Psalm 17:6