Day 4: Due to circumstances beyond our control, we had only half as many children at VBS. Disappointing?
Truth be told, I liked it. I could give each child some undivided attention.
God is never overwhelmed by the multitudes vying for his attention. I don’t have to wait my turn. He never says, “Just a second, hold that thought.” I always have his undivided attention. As do you.
Thy will be done, on earth as it is in heaven.
Day 3: I had to clarify Day 2’s lesson. I realized that the children didn’t understand the word “will” in this context. To them, “will” is a verb. How, then, do I explain it?
Thy wants be done.
Thy desires be done.
Thy plans be done.
Not what I want, Lord, but what you want.
Which was actually a nice segue into Day Three’s lesson on wants and needs: Give us this day our daily bread. I love it when a plan comes together. Nice work, God.
We are giving the children opportunities to pray individually and corporately. Some have been bold enough to pray out loud with the whole group.
One of the boys prayed that our Operation Christmas Child boxes would safely get to the right children. “Dear God, don’t let any boxes fall out of the airplane.“
Journey mercies, shoeboxes!
This is Vacation Bible School week. I will rush out from work, drive straight to church, get my thoughts together and teach the lesson. It is crazy exhausting, but I love it. This week I’ll share a highlight from each evening. Welcome to my world.
Preregistration has never worked for us. We have no idea who is coming. I always think, Dear God, what if no children come? Silly me. There are always children.
We are collecting items for Operation Christmas Child shoeboxes. Toys, yes, but no war toys. One of the boys asked, “Are wrestlers war toys?” 
I have been working on the Bible lessons for our Vacation Prayer School, based on the Lord’s Prayer.
Our Father . . . I praise you, Father, Lord of heaven and earth (Matthew 11:25, NIV).
Thy will be done . . . Not my will, but yours be done (Luke 22:42).
Give us this day . . . Jesus then took the loaves, gave thanks, and distributed to those who were seated as much as they wanted (John 6:11).
As we forgive those who sin against us . . . Father, forgive them (Luke 23:34).
Deliver us from evil . . . Protect them by the power of your name (John 17:11).
Jesus prayed what he preached.
Ever notice how people get all somber when they pray? Like God won’t listen if they smile?
Our Vacation Prayer School will include games, snacks, jokes and silliness. We can talk with God and laugh at the same time (seriously, God had a sense of humor long before the rest of us).
Laughing is good for the soul!
Our Vacation Prayer School lessons are based on the Lord’s Prayer.
Henry Ward Beecher said this of the Lord’s Prayer:
“I used to think the Lord’s Prayer was a short prayer; but as I live longer, and see more of life, I begin to believe there is no such thing as getting through it. If man, in praying that prayer, were to be stopped by every word until he had thoroughly prayed it, it would take him a lifetime.‘
Our Vacation Prayer School is just five days, Sunday through Thursday. That’s a good start.
Our Vacation Bible School starts next week. I’m the director, and there’s still much to do.
Six weeks ago, I was absolutely clueless. No curriculum seemed right.
Dear God, are we just supposed to skip VBS this year?
I was in the car when the words “Teach us to pray,” bubbled up in my brain.
A rough outline came together over the next 15 miles. I found good on-line resources. The concept was well-received by others at church. Prayerful research brought the lessons together.
God answered my prayer with bigger and better prayer. This is the year we have Vacation Prayer School. Join us!
1 Thessalonians 5:17 (NIV)
Pray continually.
The Bible says do it. You’re not. Why not?
Sin and disbelief get in the way of praying, for sure. Upside down priorities can interfere, temporarily or permanently.
Almost all Christians could use some prayer training. It’s like physical exercise–the more you do, the better you do. A personal trainer helps. And you have access to the best.
Luke 11:1 (NIV)
One of his disciples said to him, “Lord, teach us to pray.”
Just ask.
Stones in the wall.
We are impressed by the biggest and prettiest stones.
That small smooth stone over there? It doesn’t look like much. But it’s the stone that brought down Goliath.
