Childlike Faith

“Let the children come to me. Don’t stop them! For the Kingdom of God belongs to those who are like these children.” – Mark 10:14 NLT

Although she wrote many poems and hymns, Dorothy Thrupp rarely identified herself publicly as the author. She desired to focus on the message, to let her words speak for themselves. Born in London in 1779, she often used pseudonyms as a way to avoid drawing attention to herself.

She wrote several of her hymns specifically for children. We see that emphasis in the collection Hymns for the Young. Like so much of her work, she published all the music without credit. A central message was communicated in the title of the hymn “God Loves the Child that Humbly Prays.”

She also desired for her hymns and poems to help adults realize the importance of childlike faith. That desire emerges, for example, in “Come, Holy Spirit, Come. Oh, Hear an Infant’s Prayer,” and “God Loves the Little Child that Prays.” In her hymn “See, My Child, the Mighty Ocean,” she sought to help adults and children grasp the depths of God’s love.

During His ministry, Jesus demonstrated just how important children were to Him and the Kingdom of God. After teaching important truths, He thanked the Father “for hiding these things from those who think themselves wise and clever, and for revealing them to the childlike” (Matthew 11:25).

These still are important lessons. Remember the power of childlike faith. Simply believe God. Simply stand on His Word. Simply trust in Jesus. Pray with childlike confidence.

Reflection Question: How can you cultivate a more childlike faith?