Childlike Prayer

I read the coolest analogy today. I had been reading Ragamuffin Gospel by Brennan Manning earlier this school year but haven't touched it in a while due to more homework then before. I was reading and was struck by an idea. Thechapter title is Freedom from Fear...here is an excerpt....

"'A little child cannot do a bad coloring; nor can a child of God do bad prayer.'  A father is delighted when his little one, leaving off her toys and friends, runs to him and climbs into his arms. As he holds his little one close to him, he cares little whether the child is looking around, her attention flitting from one thing to another, or just settling down to sleep. Essentially the child is choosing to be with her father, confident of the love, the care, the security that is hers in those arms. Our prayer is much like that. We settle down in our father's arms, in his loving hands. Our mind, our thoughts, our imagination my flit about here and there; we might even fall asleep but essentially we are choosing for this time to remain intimately with our Father, giving ourselves to him, receiving his love and care, letting him enjoy us as he will. It is very simple prayer. It is a very childlike prayer. It is prayer that opens us out to all the delights of the kingdom." 

Thinking about my nephew and how much I love it when he comes to me on his own puts this picture into perspective for me. Often times I have to go after him just to hold him. It means the world to me when he smiles and laughs and then runs to me. Nothing brings greater joy than that feeling. I love the idea that God just wants us in his arms. Yes He wants us to persue a life that is pleasing to Him but the thing he cares about is that we come to Him willingly. What an awesome picture to me......