Being Challenge Kids: An 11-Day Challenge to Be Like JesusSample

Habit 3: We Pause to Pray

One of the biggest problems we face in this world is that we don’t spend enough time hearing God’s voice. It’s just like our own life. The world is constantly trying to send us directions, telling us what we should be and how we should live. For instance...

• Advertisements tell us we desperately need to buy the latest thing.
• A jingle on the radio tells us to eat there, look this way, talk like him, think like her, etc.
• A billboard tells us to visit certain places.
• Fast-food ads tell us we’re hungry.

Some of these messages send us in the right direction. But some of them send us the wrong way or may even try to control us. So where do you go? Who do you follow?

If you want to head in the right direction, follow Jesus. God plans to redeem the world and put things right. In other words, this present world is not our final destination. The Bible says we’re foreigners and exiles in the world; some translations even call us aliens (but not the kind that arrives in spaceships).

The Bible calls us to be different from the world. Therefore, we need directions to find our true home, and we get that from Jesus.

“Friends, this world is not your home, so don’t make yourselves cozy in it. Don’t indulge your ego at the expense of your soul. Live an exemplary life among the natives so that your actions will refute their prejudices. Then they’ll be won over to God’s side and be there to join in the celebration when he arrives." 1 Peter 2:11-12 (MSG)

When we find ourselves in a confusing world, not knowing what to do or which way to go, then go to God. Praying to God gives you direction in a confusing world. He promises that if we ask, He’ll lead you to Himself, which is the greatest treasure you can ever seek. He’ll show you to your true home.

Challenge: Practice the habit of praying this week. Set an alarm on your device or have a parent set an alarm on their phone for the same time each day. That alarm reminds you to Pause to Pray.