"How Do I Say I Love You"

Date: June 7, 1998
Series: "Prayer Strategies for Successful Familles"
Message: "How to Pray for Your Kids"
Scripture: Prov. 22:6
Time: About 5 minutes

Concept: As a Dad is putting his daughter to bed, they talk about how they say "I love you".  The Dad reminds his daughter one of the most important ways he says, I love you is to pray for her.

Scene: Daughter and Dad are sitting together...

Dad: (looks at watch) OK, little girl, time for bed.  Go get your jammies on and brush your choppers.  I'll be up to pray good night with you in a minute.

Daughter: Aw, Dad, can't I stay up a little longer? (looks up at him and bats her eyes) Pleeease?  If you love me, you'll let me stay up longer...

Dad: Nice try, little girl, but that one won't work.  Its because I love you that you have to go to bed...now, scoot.  I'll be up to pray with you in a minute.

Daughter: You love me by making me go to bed?!  That's a funny way to say "I love you, Dad."

Dad: That's just one of the ways, sweetie.  There's lots of ways that I tell you I love you.

Daughter: Like what?

Dad: Well, for one, I let you live in my house and eat my food...

Daughter: Dad!

Dad: Well, that's the truth!  Plus, I buy you clothes to wear...and got you a puppy dog.

Daughter: You got me there.

Dad: Plus, Mom and I provided you with a sister for companionship...

Daughter: (wrinkles her nose) You should have just got me the puppy, Dad.

Dad: Anyway, those are just some of the ways that I say "I love you."  Those aren't the most important, though.

Daughter:  What are the most important, Dad?

Dad: (pulls her close and wraps her up in a big hug)  Lots of hugs and kisses...(she giggles with delight)

Daughter: Stop it some more!  Stop it some more!

Dad: Plus, I tell you that I love you, don't I?

Daughter: Yes, Dad.  I love you, too.

Dad: There's one way I tell you love that may be the most important of all...

Daughter: More important than hugs and kisses?

Dad: Yup.  And I do it every night and lots of times every day.

Daughter: You do?  What is it, Dad?

Dad: I talk to Somebody about you...Somebody Who loves you very much, too.

Daughter: Who, Dad?  Who do you talk to about me?

Dad: Your Heavenly Father.  I can't always be with you and protect you, but He can.  

Daughter: So...when you pray for me, that's one way you say you love me?

Dad: One of the most important ways, honey.

Daughter: Ok, Dad, I see.  (pause) I'll go get ready for bed.  I want to hear you talk to God about me again.

Dad: I'll be up to pray with you in a minute.

Daughter: (begins to leave, turns around)  Dad?

Dad: Yes, honey.

Daughter: Thanks for loving me enough to pray for me.

Dad: My privilege, honey, my privilege.
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