My son Jackson has officially caught the first cold of the summer in our family.

After our family Bible story last night, I took Jackson to his room and tucked him under his Thomas comforter. When we were finished singing Jesus Loves Me, I asked him to pray for us. He went through his long list of friends that he prays for every night, and then pitched it to me. But as soon as I said “Amen,” Jackson interjected, “Wait, mom! What about my nose?”

I had forgotten to ask Jesus to heal his cold!

So, we began praying again, hand in hand. I asked, “Jesus, would you please heal Jackson of his cold and help him to breathe better tonight?”

I paused for just a moment.

Before I could continue, Jackson interrupted, “Mom, what did God say?”

The expectation and urgency in his stuffy voice really convicted me. He believed with all his heart that God had just responded and wanted to know the answer to what we had asked in prayer.

This question asked in complete faith caught me off guard. My inadequate response included something to the effect that God loved him very much and would take care of him. I didn’t really answer his question. It made me reconsider my sincerity as I pray. Am I just saying the right words, or do I really believe God will answer? Am I praying in faith and through the power of the Holy Spirit, expecting God to do good and accomplish His will in my life and the lives of those I lift up?

This is exactly why Jesus said to come to Him as little children. Just as Jackson believes in my love for him, He believes that God is there to protect him, to provide for him and to comfort him. There is no pretense in his prayers, just an unashamed outpouring of his heart, his fears, his needs and his requests to God. And, he expects God to be God, and to do what He knows is the very best. Jackson doesn’t know any better.

Neither should we.