In one voice: Thank you, God, for all the good stuff!

By the time Sissy, Eddie, Kelly, and I hit our adult years and our family grew in numbers, my mom served meals family style—heaps of vegetables, salads, meats, potatoes, and rolls in colorful bowls she and Dad collected in their travels lined the long table. Mom placed her china and silver in the formal arrangements, and although the napkins were paper, it still heralded my favorite holiday with orange and gold colors and seasonal illustrations—and the whole atmosphere exuded a sense of plenty. She called to us to wash and gather around. First we prayed, and then we served, Dad first and then all of us moved the bowls and platters clockwise until all of us had filled our plates.

At these occasions, my mother would "return thanks" for all we were about to receive. Men and boys removed caps, all heads bowed, and Mom voiced our prayer with a reverent tone and language all had become accustomed and expected. And then at the end all of us joined in a quiet and thankful "amen."

One Thanksgiving day, Dad called us together—some from outside and others from the living room. Mom reminded to "wash up" and then we joined hands around the table and awaited her prayer of grateful praise. One of my small nephews, with round eyes on the feast before us, spoke up. "Grandme, can I 'turn thanks this time?"

While we were surprised at the breaking of tradition, my mom nodded and we all bowed.

A loud and exuberant voice blurted, "Thank you, God, for all the good stuff! A-men!"

My siblings and I awaited the response to the very informal prayer. Here is my memory: Everyone at once looked at my mom, wondering how she would react. With her head still bowed and eyes turned to her precocious grandson, she let out a loud "A-men" and we all chimed in "A-men."

This story of Robbie's prayer passed into legend to be repeated over and again through the years. His joyful voice cut to the essentials of his thanksgiving and reminded us how a little child can show the way to simple rejoicing.

Just like you, our family voices many different kinds of prayers suited to specific occasions. My brother and sisters and I learned to pray by listening to our parents and grandparents. In Sunday School, we learned prayers from the book of Psalms: "Praise the Lord, my soul; all my inmost being, praise His holy name. Praise the Lord, my soul, and forget not all His benefits" (Psalm 103:1-2, NIV). During worship, we learned the Lord's Prayer: "'Our Father in heaven, hallowed be Your name, Your kingdom come, Your will be done, on earth as it is in heaven. Give us today our daily bread. And forgive us our debts, as we also have forgiven our debtors. And lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from the evil one" (Matthew 6:5-15, NIV). As we grew in relationship with the Savior, we prayed in a personal manner, conversing with the Father we knew through Jesus our Lord in more intimate ways. My mother's model always emphasized a reverent attitude of prayer, and our experiences in church reinforced her teaching—we should always remember before whom we stand.

Long ago, God's people observed the daily discipline, the conscious decision, to bring God into all of life. As they went from sunrise to sunset, they brought God into the everyday. He is never over there, somewhere. Rather, He is present in the very moment, part of the right now, and ever worthy to be praised.

And yet, there is a place for the spontaneous and impromptu jubilant exclamations from a full heart. My nephew echoed the prophet Isaiah: "Sing praises to the Lord…Shout, sing for joy…" (12:5-6). Let's not forget that Paul exhorts believers in his first letter to the Thessalonians: "Rejoice always, pray continually…" (5:16). It's that attitude of prayer once more, the understanding that we need to be in constant communication with our Father through Jesus. That's exactly what prayer is, of course.

Praying invites God the Father into our everyday lives. Prayer reminds us to welcome the Lord God into our present moments. Constant communication with the One God acknowledges the dependence we have on Him.

During worship, we sing the Doxology: "Praise God, from whom all blessings flow. Praise Him, ye creatures here below."

Written By Jim Edminson, Editor of Charity and Children