Child-like Faith
Child-like Faith
by Mónica Poe
I don’t know if you know this, but Dawson has been given a great gift from the Lord. This gift is most unusual, and so unheard of that it might come as a surprise.
What is it, you ask?
Dawson has been given a Special Task Force of powerful defenders. These defenders are armed with superior “know how," and they go to battle every Sunday for the hearts and lives of the people at Dawson. This elite group of Fierce Warriors visit Life Groups each Sunday morning at 9:45 a.m. to pray individually for each person in every class on campus. Also known as Super-Heroes in Training, these warriors are full of HOPE and FAITH because they TRUST and BELIEVE the Lord wholeheartedly, and they are eager to go about their Father’s business. Chances are you have probably come across this elite group of soldiers but perhaps have not noticed their armor at first sight. Who are these champions of the Lord?
Who are they, you ask?
They are the children.
Yes, it is true! Many of the children at Dawson have responded to the call to pray for the needs of God's people. Since the beginning, what has amazed me the most is how they pray with such enthusiasm and count it as such a privilege to be able to serve the Lord in this way.
I have been so encouraged and my faith has increased as I have watched and learned from these young ones. With their prayers, they are battling on our behalf demonstrating the “child-like faith” that Jesus speaks of in the Bible.
He has chosen them for such a time as this.
Throughout the Bible, God frequently chose people with little or no rank in society in order to accomplish His will. Many of them started out as people with zero influence or importance but God used these people to display His own mighty power.
Week after week, innocence and love are demonstrated through the prayers of the boys and girls on the Children's Prayer Team. They are considered weak by the world’s standards, and though largely unnoticed, these powerhouses are willing to change the world for Christ.
Then Jesus said, "Leave the children alone, and don't try to keep them from coming to Me, because the kingdom of heaven is made up of people like this." Matthew 19:14, CSB
Why the children?
Many of us grown-ups have forgotten how to trust and believe what the Lord has promised. Even in these difficult days, many of us have even struggled to have hope and to exercise our faith. God has sent us the children to lead the way and wield the spiritual weapons of love, hope, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control. Through their influence, we grown-ups are being taught how to speak to the Father with a new openness and humility—like that of a child.
Yes, they indeed are some of God's most mighty warriors. These children may look small and defenseless, but when they approach the Father, they fight the enemy on our behalf and petition the Lord for salvation, healing, peace, joy, faith, thankfulness, and much, much more.
What kind of response?
Adults of all ages are talking about the boldness and courage of these children, wondering what they would have been like today if they had themselves learned to pray out loud with such confidence and frequency. The warm response from both the English and Spanish speaking congregations has been amazing.
“But how did she know to pray that for me?" asked Melissa Gunnells. "Surely, she doesn’t pray that same prayer for every person.” Our reply to this frequent comment is always the same, “Those words were meant for you. It is the Holy Spirit who gave her those words to pray for you.”
Melissa shared that God was clearly preparing her heart through the prayers of a child for what was to come that very next week. She was so grateful that the Lord sent that first grader to pray for her.
After being prayed for by a 5th grader, Life Group Leader Jim Rives commented, “That was one of the most mature prayers I have ever heard.”
Who is on the Children’s Prayer Team?
The Children’s Prayer Team is made up of boys and girls in the 1st through 5th grades from both the English and Spanish speaking congregations. Older children have also joined the ranks. Youth of all ages are welcome to join us at 9:30 a.m. in Room 242 East. They attend Life Group immediately after.
The team is growing and there are opportunities to get involved.
Q: How can my class set up a visit from the Dawson’s Children’s Prayer Team?
A: Simply email Jim Averett (jwaverett@mindspring.com) or Mónica Poe (mikoseay@gmail.com) to schedule a visit.
Q: Can I join Dawson’s Children’s Prayer Team and help in some way?
A: Yes! We would love to ask you to pray and ask the Lord if this growing ministry is where He wants you. If so, please contact Jim Averett or Mónica Poe.
Mónica Poe was born in Charlotte, NC, and was raised overseas in Colombia, South America, and Jakarta, Indonesia. She met her husband, Randy at Samford University and they were married in 2001 and have 5 great kids. They joined Dawson in 2003. Talking to God and talking about God are two of her favorite activities.