Ethan's Prays to God for...

Ethan has suddenly become very interested in the concept of God, prayer, Jesus, and the Holy Spirit. Upon seeing any building that looks like it has a steeple, he will call out, "Look Mommy, there's God's house!" He will randomly close his eyes, reach his arms out, and give God a big "hug". Sometimes he'll even ask us if we can say grace at the table, often because I think he just enjoys practicing the sign of the cross at the end.

So last night I decided it was appropriate to start a nighttime prayer where we say the typical Guardian Angel prayer and then allow him a chance to say whomever he wanted to say special prayer to God for. When I prompted him asking him who he wanted to say a prayer for, I mentioned it could be for a grandparent, a friend he misses, for people that are going to bed hungry that don't have enough food, etc., etc. He didn't pause for single moment and said,"Dear God, I want a bicycle!" What?! In my very basic explanations about God I never explained that you could ask for things! He doesn't even know you can do that with Santa!

I repeated all of the special people or needs that he could pray for (and that I apparently deemed more worthy) and told him his prayer was all his own. And he said, "I know Mommy. Dear God, I want a bicycle!" So much for my artful coaching. "Okay Ethan. Amen."

Tonight his prayer was, "Dear God, I pray for God." Hey, BIG step up from my next guess... Chocolate!

How have you explained your faith or God to your toddler or preschooler? I'm in over my head here.