By: Joy L. Bryant, Author of God Talks Back
After serval years of bedtime prayers and mealtime poems, I started elementary school with all the other five-year-old children in my community. It was there in our classroom that I received a little invitation card sponsored by the public library for Dial-A-Story featuring a recorded Bible story.
In the 1970’s, it was not yet illegal for a public school to hand out this type of information. In those years, prayers from teachers and students filled the classroom.
That day, I took the simple Dial-A-Story card given to me by my teacher. After school, I raced home to call Dial-A-Story. I was ecstatic to hear the adventures found in the Bible!
I dragged a kitchen chair over to the wall, climbed up, pressed my toes into the seat, and, with my hands extended high, picked up the receiver attached to the kitchen wall.
Standing in the chair on my tiptoes, I dialed the number printed on the card and listened to a recorded Bible story of how Jesus loved me. I may not remember the details of the story, but I do recall the personal invitation to invite Jesus into my heart as Lord by praying a prayer of salvation.
I called the number back three times to hear the story again, repeating the prayer over and over. I was desperate to make sure I had done it correctly.
The recording gave directions to help me know how to communicate clearly what I was asking Jesus to do for me:
Dear Jesus,
I heard the Bible story today of how much You love me. I want to love You, too. The story said, “For God so loved the world that He gave His one and only Son, that whoever believes in Him shall not perish but have eternal life.” (John 3:16).
I love You, Jesus, and I want You to forgive me for all my sins, and I want to have eternal life. Anything I have done, Jesus, that makes You sad, I am sorry. Come into my heart, Lord Jesus. I believe You are real and that in praying this prayer I am saved. Thank You, Jesus, for coming into my heart and saving my soul. Amen.
The prayer was not complicated; there were not a lot of words. But at that moment, Jesus Christ came into my heart and gave direction to my life.
With the faith of a child, I heard the Good News on a pre-recorded tape, and it started a lifetime of communication with King Jesus.
During those early years of my life, I was simply practicing a foreign language: prayer. over the years, the language of prayer has become as natural as breathing to me.
Sometimes, of course, I can’t find just the right words. Prayer allows you to speak your way-using your own words right from your heart-and God still understands.
My one simple childhood prayer for salvation has developed over four decades into more intense petitions for my family.
As a mom of two adult sons that are married now, I remember when one was in high school, the other was in college, I was praying for protection over them while doing laundry.
I was trying to let them grow up but still wanting to be a protective mom.
While pulling a load of laundry out of the dryer I found a penny and dime. This happened two or three times and I saved each set placing them on the table.
Back then my friend, Jodi, shared with me that when God gave her a penny and a dime at the same time, He would remind her that He is God of the eleventh hour.
What may feel late for God to act was perfect timing.
Finding several sets of pennies and dimes that day God reminded me my boys could go nowhere without his knowledge, so I could rest knowing that when I dedicated them as babies that covered them all the days of their life. Trusting God with my prayers over my boys gave me opportunity to rededicate them during their teen and young adult season.
You too can trust God with your prayers.
Growing Deeper-
One Simple Action Step: What is one simple prayer you can pray today with childlike faith? Is it to pray the prayer of salvation as Joy did?
Scripture Plunge: John 3:16, Romans 10:9-10
To learn more about Joy L. Bryant by visiting her website, Joy-laughter.com.
Growing Deeper-
One Simple Action Step: What is one simple prayer you can pray today with childlike faith? Is it to pray the prayer of salvation as Joy did?Â
Scripture Plunge: John 3:16, Romans 10:9-10
To learn more about Joy L. Bryant by visiting her website, Joy-laughter.com.
Do you need prayer? Contact Jodi by clicking here. Or email Jodi at email@JodiAiken.com.
View this message on my YouTube channel by clicking here.
You can also listen on most any podcast app at “Pennies in Your Path.” Click here to see a few of the options.
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