If you’ve ever had a hard time praying, especially in a group setting, you will likely be able to relate to my personal story and see the value of using the examples shared in simple tips for teaching kids to pray.

Fear and Anxiety!

A dear friend of mine organized and hosted an online group prayer meeting that my husband and I attended last night. We gathered to pray for our leaders, country, the world, family, friends, whatever was on our heart during this time of crisis due to the COVID-19 virus.

Several gifted prayer warriors were on the call, they prayed powerful, heartfelt, moving prayers. I was not among the gifted prayer warriors!

I’m an introvert and have a very difficult time speaking in front of groups…even if it’s a group that can’t see me! I freeze, my insides start to churn, just knowing that my turn is coming up causes my heart to race Anxiety big time!!!

That said, I wish I had learned how to pray (or speak!) in a group setting as a kid. I’m pretty sure that had I grown up with that as a practice it would be easier now as an adult.

Teaching Kids to pray

Checking email during my lunch break today and I found a great article on teaching kids to pray it prompted me to write this post and share my humbling experience. What a great thing to teach kids…a practice that will serve them well their entire life. Check out the FREE printable with 10 ideas for teaching your kids to pray that was included in the article. 🙂

My default for overcoming fear and anxiety

Below are two verses that I remind myself of often…especially in trying times such as the current COVID-19 situation that we all find ourselves in.

Whenever I start to feel anxious it’s a cue to take a moment to stop and think about the words in Philippians 4: 6-7 and to meditate on them. It’s amazing how fast the anxiety goes away.

Philippians 4:6 – 7  Do not be anxious about anything, but in every situation, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.

Ephesians 3:20  Now to him who is able to do immeasurably more than all we ask or imagine, according to his power that is at work within us

The verse in Ephesians 3:20 is one that I say to myself almost daily…it’s gotten me through some very tough times. Just knowing that God is able to do immeasurably more than all that I ask or can imagine….that boggles my mind! He has turned situations around that in my mind were impossible.  Even though I didn’t feel that I deserved his help, because I willfully made bad choices that put me in the situation. That’s God…he loves us in spite of our bad choices. Very thankful for that!

I’m confident that if you pray and meditate on those verses every day that you will feel the peace of God fill your mind and heart.

Praying that God will fill you with his love and peace in the midst of all of life’s storms.

Wendy