. . . I should have heard an unspoken request from my children.

My wife, Carol, and I have two married daughters who each have a daughter (one is three, the other almost one year old). Whenever we visit their homes, one in Myrtle Beach, SC, the other in southern California, we eventually all get into their van and take a drive to the beach or to the mall. Often, my daughter is at the wheel, which give me a grand time to gloat, since I had a significant role in teaching each of them how to drive an automobile. Both girls (women, actually!) are excellent drivers, cautious and considerate (usually), and unafraid to tackle the busiest interstate.

Of course, their school district's driver's education program had a role, but our many excursions crisscrossing in empty parking lots, practicing down quiet side streets and even venturing onto wild and crazy Chicago expressways made their classroom experience come to life. When dad and daughter got into that hand-me-down, fire-engine-red, fast-back Mercury Cougar, the rubber literally met the road.

Well, as he often does, the Lord took my moment of pride as an opportunity to speak into my life.

He reminded me that my girls did not need to beg me to help them as they began the learning process. In fact, they did not even need to say "Dad, will you teach me to drive?" I volunteered!

After reminding me how proud I was of that response, He then asked, had I taught them to pray? Ouch. I already knew "But they did not ask" was not going to get me off the hook.  Had I volunteered even without them asking?

Of course they had heard me pray at their bedside when they were young, at our table times and in the church. But had I set aside time to encourage, equip and empower their prayer lives? I had modeled a passion for prayer, especially as I had left congregational leadership to take a prayer message across the country, but had I tutored or trained these two disciples of Jesus? Had I given them an inheritance in prayer?

Not nearly enough.

By the grace of God, both girls are strong Christian women who talk daily to their lord. But I could have been more intentional. And I am now wondering, who is silently asking me, "Teach me to pray?" Am I listening to the Spirit so that I am ready for a divine appointment or an opportunity in an unexpected relationship?  Is there someone who needs not only a messenger of prayer but a mentor as well? Am I even someone others would approach with the request "teach me to pray"?

It seems to me, we must hear the scripture text "teach me to pray" as more than the insight words of the first disciples. It is an unspoken request of the persons, even children, God places in our lives. One might even be that not-too-distant-future prayer leader we've bee praying for.

Pastor Phil

http://www.PrayerLeader.blogspot.com

http://www.PrayingPastorblog.blogspot.com