Ilia's Prayers

Ilia is 4 years old. He lives with his parents in a little apartment at Zaoksky Theological Seminary in Russia.

Ilia's Baby Prayers

When Ilia was little, his family lived with his grandparents. Grandma and Grandpa were not Christians. As soon as Ilia began to talk, his mother and father taught him how to pray. Ilia loved to kneel down and fold his little hands and talk to God. Every morning and every evening Ilia and his parents talked to God. Whenever Grandma and Grandpa were nearby, they sat quietly while Ilia and his parents prayed, but they did not pray with the family.

When Ilia was 2 years old his parents had to go to some meetings. Ilia stayed with his grandparents. Ilia had lots of fun with his grandparents, but something was missing. At first Ilia did not know what it was. But then he remembered. He had not prayed. Ilia took his grandfather's hand and pulled him to the place where the family knelt to pray.

Grandpa asked Ilia, "Do you want to pray?"

"Yes," Ilia said.

"I don't know how to pray," Grandpa told him.

Ilia's face became serious, and he said, "I pray for you." Ilia folded his little hands and closed his eyes, and said, "Lord." Then he mumbled some words that Grandfather could not understand. When Ilia said "Amen" Grandpa answered with his own amen.

Then Ilia saw his Grandmother standing at the door watching them pray. He took her by the hand and led her to the couch to pray.

"But I don't know how to pray either," Grandma said, blushing. Again Ilia knelt down beside his grandma. He closed his eyes and folded his hands and uttered another prayer. Grandma smiled at her little grandson who was so eager to pray for them.

Ilia's Influence

When Ilia's parents returned from their meetings, Grandmother told the family about Ilia's prayers. When the little family had their worship time that evening, Ilia's grandparents joined them.

And when other family members came to visit, Ilia expected them to join him for his evening prayers. "Come, everyone; let's have prayer!" he invited. And who can resist a little child's request?

The Bicycle

Last summer Ilia's father took him to town. There Ilia saw a beautiful green bicycle in a store. Ilia asked his father if he could have a bicycle. Father explained that the bicycle cost a month of his wages, and if he bought the bicycle, there would be no money for food or clothes. Ilia tried to understand, but still he wanted a bicycle.

Finally Father toldhim, "We must pray about this. If God gives us an extra $20, then perhaps we can buy a bicycle."

All the way home Ilia talked about the bicycle. Father reminded him that Jesus hears our prayers and will answer them. Sometimes Jesus says yes, and sometimes He says no, and sometimes He makes us wait.

Ilia closed his eyes at that moment and prayed, "Please, Jesus, give Papa the money so he can buy me the bicycle."

A week later Ilia asked his father if they had the money for the bicycle yet. "Not yet," Daddy answered.

A few days later a pastor asked Ilia's father to help a group of German missionaries who wanted to visit Russia. Father met the people and drove them where they needed to go. When it was time for the missionaries to say goodbye to Ilia's father, one woman held out her hand and said, "This is for your son. Buy him whatever he wants." Then she dropped $20 into Father's hand. It was the exact amount needed to buy the bicycle.

As soon as Father returned home, he called Ilia. "Do you want to go to town with me?" he said.

"Why?" Ilia asked. Then Father explained, "Do you remember when you asked God to send the money to buy the bicycle?" Ilia nodded. "Well, God has answered your prayer, and someone has given me the money. I must go to town and buy the bicycle for you."

Ilia hugged his daddy. "Don't thank me," Daddy said. "Jesus sent the money in answer to your prayer."