The NOW Generation - Bedok Methodist Church

neighbours. Children have a tremendous capacity to love. Can
you imagine the potential for a child to grow in love and intimacy
with God if he cultivates the habit of talking regularly to God
from a young age? Here, I am reminded of the conversational
relationship the prophet Samuel had with God since he was a
child. This must have been instrumental in him becoming God’s
anointed and trusted servant later on.
Children at prayer
Little children, great faith
“Let the children come to me, never send them away, for the
kingdom of God belongs to men who have hearts as trusting
as these little children’s. Anyone who does not have that
kind of faith will never get within the kingdom of God.” (Luke
18:16-17, TLB)
Jesus always welcomed children wherever He went. He had a
special affection for them, because children have in them an
inherent quality that pleases God – childlike faith. “For without
faith it is impossible to please God.” (Hebrews 11:6, NIV)
It does not matter if a child is smart or not, active or quiet, shy
or bold; the Bible says as long as he is a child, he will have this
thing called childlike faith. This is a precious asset as far as
God is concerned. The only problem is that it disappears with
time. So parents, make the most of your children’s childlike faith
before the cynicism and caution of adulthood set in.
Prayer Sparks in session
At Prayer Sparks, a children’s prayer group in the Children’s
Ministry, we have the privilege of seeing children rise in faith as
they grow in their prayer life. They have progressed from praying
simply for their tests and exams, to petitioning for the salvation
of their unsaved relatives and grandparents, and to interceding
over global concerns such as war and natural disasters. The
gradual shift in prayer focus requires them to take a step of faith
and at the same time, moves them from self to others. It also
stirs in them compassion for people suffering in other places.
As the children expand their horizons, they begin to believe that
their prayers can make a difference to things happening around
the world. In 2007, we saw the children boldly interceding for
a group of Koreans being held hostage by terrorists. They were
thrilled to read in the newspapers a few days later that some of
the hostages had been released. That particular incident gave
their faith a big boost. I am sure they were more than glad to
be counted with the many others around the world who were
praying for the hostages. Indeed, childlike faith is the trust to
believe that “all things are possible” with God. It is this “faith
factor” that released Jesus’ power to heal the centurion’s
servant girl and the woman suffering from a haemorrhage.
Children praying at the cross
Prayer Sparks has over the years journeyed in prayer with a
number of people who were suffering from physical
illness. One of them was Mrs Christie, grandmother of
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