Have you taught how to pray, to your child?

“If the only prayer you ever say in your entire life is thank you, it will be enough.” ~Meister Eckhart

It is necessary to teach the child to say “Sorry”

• If I hurt you, I am sorry.
• I forgot to wish you, I am sorry.
• I could not do what I had promised, I am sorry.
• In your trying times, I was not there next to you, I am sorry.

It is necessary to teach the child to say “Thank you”.

• Thank you for helping me out.
• Thank you for waiting for me.
• Thank you for sharing with me.
• Thank you for giving me your book
• Thank you for supporting me.
• Thank you for the thoughtful gift.

It is also necessary to teach the child to say “Welcome” and “Please” and words like these. They are manners. They are mandatory and required when we relate with people. And yes, most parents do teach these to their children. Well done, I must say.

However, there is one thing most of us forget to teach our children. That one thing is, “How to have a conversation with the Almighty, with god! In other words, how to pray to god?”

Chances are, you as a parent, would have told stories about various gods to your child. Stories that have valor and miracles. Haven’t you done that? Chances are, you as a parent, would have taught your child certain religious rituals too. Am I right? Chances are very high, while you have told your child who is god and how powerful he is, you haven’t come around to telling him, exactly how should he or she pray to god.

Ahaa! I can almost visualize you saying I have introduced my child to certain hymns. These words and songs are our way of praying to our almighty. Hmmm, but then, singing hymns describing the glory of the creator, is NOT exactly having a conversation with him, right?

It’s so complicated, you must be thinking. Even I don’t know it, you might be confessing.

Here Meister Eckhart comes to our rescue with these words…”If the only prayer you ever say in your entire life is thank you, it will be enough.”

These words are simple yet so profound. I believe, he has hit the nail on the head. That’s a shot at “Bullseye” as they say!!!

I certainly believe so. What are your thoughts? Do you too believe, a genuine, heartfelt “THANK YOU” will be enough as a prayer?

Or, do you believe, pilgrimages, offerings, rituals are required for a conversation with HIM?