The following "Question" was asked by a member of the congregation at Grace Community Church in Panorama City, California, and "Answered" by their pastor, John MacArthur Jr. It was transcribed from the tape, GC 1358, titled "How to Pray."  A copy of the tape can be obtained by writing, Word of Grace, P.O. Box 4000, Panorama City, CA 91412 or by dialing toll free 1-800-55-GRACE. Copyright 2001 by John MacArthur Jr., All Rights Reserved.

Question

I was raised up a Catholic and my husband...like when we say prayers before meals, he still says the Catholic prayer. And it's like...they're just words to the children and doesn't really mean a thing, but then he's the one that leads the prayers so should I just...?

Answer

Well what does it say? What is it? How does it go?

Question (continued)

"Bless this food, O Lord, which we are about to receive from these Thy bounties through Christ our Lord."

Answer (continued)

Oh, that's a good prayer...but it's just repetitious, is what you're saying.

Question (continued)

Right, I mean, they just say it and, and I know it doesn't mean anything, I want prayer to mean something to them.

Answer (continued)

You might just, you know, in one of those nice moments when he's got his arm around you, just say, "Hey, you know, I was thinking about our prayers, I wonder if the kids really learn what prayer is when they have the same thing, why don't you just, you know, put on the end of it, Lord, thank You for helping us through the day," or just a little, make a suggestion that maybe you could add a little thing on the end or make the suggestion that maybe it would be nice if we could take turns in praying and they could pray maybe some of the things that's on their mind to pray. I don't know how you can suggest those things but I think without telling him this is how to do it you can make those suggestions at the right time and maybe he'll respond to that.

Added to Bible Bulletin Board's "MacArthur’s Questions and Answers" by:

Tony Capoccia
Bible Bulletin Board
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