“The Posture of a Childlike Heart”
“But when you pray, go into your private room, shut your door, and pray to your Father who is in secret. And your Father who sees in secret will reward you.”
— Matthew 6:6 (CSB)
There’s something beautiful about the innocence of a child. They love without fear, forgive without hesitation, and trust without needing all the answers. This year, the Lord has been teaching me to return to that same place, a place of childlike faith.
Somewhere along the way, we grow up, and life starts to change how we see things. We become guarded. We start analyzing every situation and holding on to hurts that used to roll right off us. But Jesus calls us back to simplicity, to the kind of faith that believes Him at His Word and trusts His heart, even when the path ahead is unclear.
Jesus said in Matthew 18:3-4, “Unless you are converted and become like little children, you will never enter the kingdom of heaven.” That’s not about immaturity; it’s about innocence and humility. Childlike faith is faith that rests, forgives, and believes that our Heavenly Father always knows what’s best.
But that faith begins in the heart. Jesus said, “Blessed are the pure in heart, for they shall see God” (Matthew 5:8). A pure heart isn’t perfect; it’s sincere. It’s one who desires God above all else and stays honest before Him. That’s why Jesus told us to go into our private room and pray in secret, because true faith grows in quiet places. It’s in those unseen moments that our hearts are shaped and our motives purified.
And yet, keeping our hearts pure isn’t something we can do on our own. The world has a way of hardening us. That’s why we must echo David’s prayer:
“God, create a clean heart for me and renew a steadfast spirit within me.” — Psalm 51:10
When we ask God to cleanse our hearts, He begins to remove everything that doesn’t belong pride, jealousy, fear, and unforgiveness. In exchange, He gives us peace, joy, and a steadfast spirit that can trust Him even when life doesn’t make sense.
I think about how my children trusted me as they were growing up. They never worried about the details; they simply believed everything would work out. That’s the posture God wants from us, not blind faith, but confident trust that our Father is in control, even when we don’t see the full picture.
Just like a puzzle being put together piece by piece, God is arranging every part of our lives perfectly. We may not understand how it all fits, but one day, we’ll look back and see that He was faithful all along.
Prayer:
Heavenly Father,
Thank You for calling me back to childlike faith, to a heart that trusts, forgives, and rests in You. Purify my heart, Lord. Remove anything that keeps me from seeing You clearly. Teach me to walk humbly, to pray sincerely, and to trust completely in Your plan. Help me to remember that You are my Father, and You are always working for my good.
In Jesus’ name,
Amen.
Reflection:
Am I approaching God today with a childlike heart, one that forgives quickly, trusts deeply, and believes my Father knows best?
