This week our 12-year-old adopted daughter asked, “Mommy, why did you come for me?” Then she softly shared how her orphan friends, the beautiful ones, were chosen by adopting families. For ten years she wondered if anyone would come for her.
My wife explained how she had prayed for an adopted daughter and sensed God leading her to Mia. She told her how our whole family had prayed and felt that God had brought her to our home.
Mia then asked, “Will you teach me to pray?”
This week I spent three days in San Francisco with some of the most innovative pastors in the US. Together we pondered questions like:
- How do we inspire true sanctification?
- How can we nurture sustaining relationships?
- How do we best develop causes that galvanize small groups?
- How do we stimulate the next generation to engage and find their voice?
The conversations were deep and challenging. But Mia’s question has helped me see that inspiring others to desire God and a connection with Him through prayer seems to be a prerequisite to each of our questions.
It left me wondering…
- Can we inspire others to live sanctified lives without a sacrificial example from us?
- Can the next generation be expected to find their voice if we haven’t fully found ours?
- What must they see in us to provoke a passionate desire for prayer?
But make sure in your hearts that Christ is Lord. Always be ready to give an answer to anyone who asks you about the hope you have. ! Peter 3:15
