Four BIG facts

Do you ever pray for yourself? I hope so. You can do that every day, not just when you're in trouble.

This everyday kind of praying is thinking about God. God is your Father ... and your Mother!

When you pray, you can think about your connection with God, first thing in the morning. This prayer will keep you happy. Successful. And safe. So it's really important. Just like a sailor sets the sails to catch the wind and get the boat going in the right direction, your prayer can set you in a good path.

What is praying for yourself? It's reminding yourself what is true about God. Actually, there are many ways to pray. Each day your prayer can be different. But one way you can pray is by thinking about four BIG facts about God. They all come from the Bible.

God is ever present. He's everywhere you are or ever will be. You can never be separated from God's love for you.

God, your Father and Mother, is omnipotent. He/She is so powerful that there is no way anything bad can sneak into your life.

God is omniactive. When you pray, God makes you do what is right, and sets you in the right place. You can be successful and help other people.

God is omniscient. He knows you and knows what you need. When you pray, He gives you your thoughts - good, smart thoughts. So you know what is the good, smart thing to say and do.

You can't always be with your mom and dad - but you're always with God. You're never alone. Never unprotected. You can talk to God, ask Her what to do, share your hopes with Him. Then you can listen, and God will come into your thoughts and tell you what you need to know, where you need to be, what you need to do.

Sometimes other kids or places seem scary. But getting into the habit of praying every day - to see how it is that you're always safe - helps.

There's something in the Bible that has helped tons of kids and adults. It's Psalm 91. It starts out by saying, "He that dwelleth in the secret place of the most High shall abide under the shadow of the Almighty." It goes on to show that God is like a safe castle, and that we can trust God, and that we don't need to be afraid of anything, day or night.

Praying brings you thoughts from God. These are what angels are. They can be in charge of you all the time. You might like to find Psalm 91. You could write it out to keep in your pocket or backpack. It might help you feel your solid connection to God.

One of the great things about your prayers is that they help your friends, and even other kids you don't know. What's true about God loving and caring for you is also true for everyone else. We all have the same Father-Mother God.

The woman who started this newspaper, Mary Baker Eddy, wrote a lot about how to pray. She said your prayers are like armor. That they protect you. That when you pray, "not only yourselves are safe, but all whom your thoughts rest upon are thereby benefited" ("The First Church of Christ, Scientist, and Miscellany," pg. 210).

You can find time each day to pray for yourself, if you want to. You can even pray before you get out of bed. Some people get up a little earlier to pray. Whatever way you decide to work it out, it will be a special time for you and God.

Where can I go from your

Spirit? Where can I flee from

your presence? If I go up to

the heavens, you are there;

if I make my bed in the depths, you are there. If I rise on the wings of the dawn, if I settle

on the far side of the sea,

even there your hand will

guide me, your right hand

will hold me fast.

Psalms 139:7-10

New International Version