Prayer is the most powerful force available to mankind. It is the key to the vast storehouse of all God’s provision. It is the communication vehicle to the very throne of the creator of this universe. Prayer takes the youngest child or the oldest adult into the presence of Almighty God.

God’s presence has not always be available to everyone. In the Old Testament, God’s presence rested over the Ark of the Covenant. The priest was only allowed to enter once a year. A heavy veil separated the priest and all Israel from the presence of God.

When Jesus died on the cross that veil was torn, just like you fold a piece of paper and tear it down the crease. That veil was torn in half. It wasn’t torn from the bottom, like a man grabbed it and ripped it. It was torn from the top to the bottom, like God reached down from Heaven, and ripped the veil in two. Then we could enter His presence. Jesus’ atonement on the cross made a way for us to go into the presence of God.

Now the ball is in our court, will we choose to come into His presence or will we fill our lives so full of everything else that there is no time, no energy, no desire to worship at His throne.

I struggle with it daily. There are so many things I want to get done, so many demands on my time, but I have discovered two things: 1. I accomplish far more when I put Him first. 2. My walk with God is a relationship not a marathon.

Will I ever really learn the lesson? I hope so. I have recently been working on two major projects. I had deadlines, because there were people waiting on me before they could continue with the next step. I worked 17-hour days trying to keep up my travel schedule and work on the projects. I prayed, but I didn’t go into His presence like I knew I really needed to do. I was in turmoil inside. I longed to spend time enjoying my Savior, but I felt so pulled to accomplish, to get my in-basket empty.

When I finished the task. It wasn’t done right. It has to be redone, I spent weeks in turmoil that could have been avoided and it seems in my heart, God was saying, "I want you to walk in my peace." That only comes as we go God’s way. God didn’t want me spinning my wheels for nothing. He had a better way. I believe He would have showed me if I had sought His will when He was stirring my heart to spend time with Him.

Children have the same choice to make. There are so many things that fill their day, so many choices to make. We need to help them understand how much God loves them. We need to help them understand the power of prayer and how much God wants to be their best friend.

Sharon Ellard made a statement that has changed the way I teach children, She said, "If we taught children to swim, the same way we teach them the Bible they would all drown." Knowledge of how to swim is not enough. They must get in the water. They have to experience it for themselves. The same holds true for prayer. It not enough for you to believe in prayer. It’s not enough for the children to know all the mechanics of prayer- they need to do it.

Teach them to listen for the still, small voice of God as they pray. Teach them to spend time thanking God as well as asking God.

I sometimes forget a need when we go to pray as a group, so I have made it a practice and encourage my children to pray for the need silently as it is shared. That way I pray over every need. I also ask the Holy Spirit to remind me of things I should pray for during my prayer time.