Did you know that God is always listening to you? Did you know that God can hear the quietest whisper deep inside your heart, even before you’ve started to say it? Because God knows exactly what you need even before you ask him.
You see, God just can’t wait to give you all that you need. So you don’t need to use long words or special words. You don’t have to use a special voice. You just have to talk.
It’s not because you’re so clever, or good, or so important, that God will listen to you. God listens to you because he loves you.
So when you pray, pray in your normal voice, just like when you’re talking to someone you love very much. Like this…
Hello Daddy!
We want to know you.
And be close to you.
Please show us how.
Make everything in the world right again.
And in our hearts, too.
Do what is best– just like you do in heaven,
And please do it down here, too.
Please give us everything we need today.
Forgive us for doing wrong, for hurting you.
Forgive us just as we forgive other people
when they hurt us.
Rescue us! We need you.
We don’t want to keep running away
and hiding from you.
Keep us safe from our enemies.
You’re strong, God.
You can do whatever you want.
You are in charge.
Now and forever and for always!
We think you’re great!
Amen!
Yes we do!
You see, Jesus was showing people that God would always love them– with a Never Stopping, Never Giving Up, Unbreaking, Always and Forever Love.
So they didn’t need to hide anymore, or be afraid, or ashamed. They could stop running away from God. And they could run to him instead.
As a little child runs into her daddy’s arms.
Text excerpt from The Jesus Storybook Bible Copyright 2007 Sally Lloyd-Jones
Illustration from Loved: The Lord’s Prayer Copyright 2018 Jago Silver
What greater gift than to teach someone you love how to talk to God?
Loved: The Lord’s Prayer
The Lord’s Prayer paraphrase from The Jesus Storybook Bible, with all new illustrations in a padded board book format for tiniest hands.
Will you be a part of the LOVED launch and help spread the message?
Share your photos of the book with #liveloved and tag @sallylloydjones or post them to Sally’s facebook page. We’ll be sharing some of our favorites!
