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Mitch Todd About Mitch

Build-A-Prayer

"...and he spent the night in prayer to God." —Luke 6.12b

Ever been to a Build-A-Bear Workshop (www.buildabear.com)? I haven't, but let me tell you, from what I've seen it's impressive! The first store started in Saint Louis in the late 90's, and now there are more than 400 of them in malls around the world. You go in, pick out a stuffed animal model, give it a voice chip, stuff it, and name it. Oh, and you put a heart inside it, too, and make a wish.

To date they've made over 70 million bears! I love the idea of children of all ages clutching those magical bears as they say their prayers and drift off to sleep.

What about you? Do you still have a teddy bear? More importantly... do you still say your prayers before bed?

As important as a good teddy bear is for a good night's sleep, I think a good prayer is even more vital. And so, entrepreneur that I am, I'm launching my own new franchise: The Build-A-PRAYER Workshop.

Here's my thinking. A person's prayer should be as creative and distinctive and as personal as any made-from-scratch teddy bear. It should be solidly constructed, thoughtfully adorned, and it should most definitely have heart. Don't you agree?

So here are some of the crucial steps in making a personalized, custom made prayer:

1. Model. A prayer should take just the right form. There are lots of different kinds of prayer models. Prayers of Thanksgiving. Prayers of petition (when you ask God for something). Prayers for forgiveness (when you say you're sorry). Prayers for guidance (when you try to let God do the talking). Prayers can take on these and lots of other qualities... and sometimes a balance of lots of different forms is the best. What model of prayer do you need to lift up tonight?
   
   
2. Voice. A prayer should have the right voice. How do you talk to God in your prayers? Do you adopt a fake, overly formal tone of voice, as if you're speaking in King James English? Do you choose your words too carefully? God wants to hear from the real you, so make sure the voice you're using is honest and open and yours.
   
   
3. Stuffing. A prayer should be filled with the right stuff, the right content. Who would want a saggy, empty Teddy Bear? The same goes with prayers. Make sure you're filling your words to God with the things that truly matter. No need to beat around the bush. No need to small talk. Focus your thoughts and tell it like it is. And if you're not sure what to say, maybe it's time to just listen. Let God provide some of the stuffing.
   
   
4. Decorate it. Make a prayer yours. If you have a sense of humor... share that with God. If you write poetry, write something for God. You don't have to be fake — in fact, showing God the real you, even if you're not comfortable showing anybody else, will make your prayer unique, and beautiful.
   
   
5. Heart. Most of all, a prayer has to have a heart. If you aren't trusting God with your deepest needs, wishes, and fears, your prayer will feel empty. Having heart means having faith, hope and love. Pray to God believing that God's love can do anything! Building a teddy bear costs some money, but it looks like it's worth it. The Build-A-Prayer Workshop is yours to use... for free! You can revisit the workshop night after night, tailor-making your prayers to suit your needs and desires. Remember, that warm and snuggly feeling you get from hugging your teddy bear, your pillow, or your sweetheart is merely a reflection of God's arms around you, rocking you to sleep.
   
   Remember, You can make a teddy bear...
   
   But God made You.
   
   Have A Great Week!
   
   Mitch
   rmitchelltodd@yahoo.com

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