God Is Not a Genie

I think young kids are automatically "me" centered so that's not odd. However, we do say that God does not grant wishes, and I like that you compare it to a genie. God is not going to make sure you get a certain present or help your team to win. God is there to give strength, wisdom and guidance. So when we pray we pray for those things--strength, wisdom and guidance. We don't pray for "things" like new bikes or trips to Disney World.

We always did it by saying that if you want someTHING, then you should either say "I wish for a new bike," or pray to God for guidance on how you can EARN a new bike. Gentle correction is all you need when they are young.

It depends on your beliefs, but we believe that God works through people, so if someone was sick we'd pray to God to make the doctors strong and smart to help heal them. I have heard my daughter pray that God help her parents to be strong and smart so we can earn money to buy her a new bike for her birthday. I think that's cute, and as our children grow older they will learn from examples on how to be caring toward others and less self-centered.

I also can't help but think that God must smile at the wishes of a young child. And sometimes He grants them, my daughter prayed that we be strong and smart enough to make money to buy her a new iPod Touch for her birthday, and I stumbled on a great deal on a refurbished one! We would have never been able to afford if if I hadn't found that deal. So who says God doesn't listent to the wishes of little children??

We have something similar with Santa in our house (I know, not the same as God but the message still fits I think). We told them that they can ask for all the things they want to but they do not get all of them. Santa picks the most special things he knows they'll like the best or need the most and also tries to look for special things they didn't ask for but he knew they'd love.
God only takes care of the very important things and you have to take care of or wait for the others.
It was more important for it to be colder that day. The plants need it and other important things. When it's good for everything to have a warmer day He'll make it warmer. God has to look at what everyone needs, not just what one person needs/wants.

In the bible it says "Ask and you shall receive" it also says that God Loves the hearts of children and that we should all come to him as the children do. That is not the exact wording, but you can catch the drift. I think that you let it go. He is learning and he is talking to God, and that is where a child's mind is at. That is normal. Encourage the prayer, let God do the rest!! Trust God that he will form your son and let the rest go. I wouldn't nit pick him on the types of prayers that he prays, that is just going to discourage him from praying! Just my opinion......

Yes, once they go to school there's many influences on their lives, not just ours anymore. I would tell him exactly what you said here, in terms he can understand, and continue to show him by example. Say something like, "God really loves it when we pray for others. Come pray with me for ___________." (I've seen one of my granddaughters who was 5 or so when she started, drop her head and pray wherever she is when she hears a need, something she's seen and heard me do.)

When you hear him praying for his wants you could tell him something like, "God does want us to be happy, and He knows what's best for us. So sometimes when we ask for something His answer might be 'no' for right now. And that's OK, because when it's the right time He'll say 'yes!'"

I know you know this, but Kids really do tend to mimic what they see their parents do. You started your post by saying that you ask God to help you make the traffic light, so he's doing what he sees you do. Best way to get him to realize that God is not a genie is by not treating him like one yourself. Expecting a six-year-old to fully grasp faith is unrealistic, but how awesome is it that they so blindly view God as omnipotent?

My daughter really only prays about important stuff- protect our family, thank you for this day, thank you for my family, this meal- but she gets that from us, and also one time she prayed over our very sick guinea pig before church, and when we came back from church, he was literally healed. Even I couldn't believe it! She's been a believer ever since!

Anyway-- I don't think there's anything wrong with him talking to God about every day things as long as he also knows to trust God with the deeper stuff too.

If you encourage prayer, that is exactly what your son will do. He probably does not understand exactly yet what is appropriate and not appropriate to pray for. If you didn't go back to the park the next day, he might then feel that God did not listen to him. It can be confusing for a child . He is only 6, and I am sure in time he will begin to appreciate his relationship with God on a much more personal basis.

I think I know what you're saying but remember:
1. It's important for him to think of/call on/chat with God daily--he is!
2. Most prayers are O. of two types:

a. Help me help me help me!
or
b. Thank you thank you thank you!

Aim for a balance of the two!
He's fine. How awesome that he's praying!

I am not a believer, but my mom is, and she's always trying to get me to pray (God love her ;-)). She tells me that you can pray to God for whatever you want. Your little one is at a normal self-centred period of his life, and I think it's natural for him to pray like this. I think he'll grow out of it.

It does make sense to what you are saying, remember he's still a little child and we all have selfish desires. Remind him that God knows what is best for us and sometimes he say's "No", and we need to have self discipline, and encourage praying for others again... You've planted a great seed and it is taking place and growing in your child... do you realize that?
You are a blessed mother!